Did Louis Theroux's manosphere documentary change anyone's mind?

What does it mean to be a man?

It's a question explored in Louis Theroux's latest documentary, Inside the Manosphere.

Netflix calls it a "no-holds barred" investigation into "a growing ultra-masculine network" - and it's been sparking discussions since its release earlier this week.

Theroux spoke to some of the space's most prominent figures - including UK streamer Harrison Sullivan, aka HS TikkyTokky, who is seen arguing with Theroux over claims he promotes misogynist views.

Some have called the documentary a "shocking" insight into the world of these influencers but others have accused it of failing to shed new light on the phenomenon.

BBC Newsbeat spoke to a group of young men and others who keep track of the online space, including charities that support women, to ask if they thought Theroux's film would have an impact.

The manosphere refers to a network of websites, forums and influencers who promote what they describe as "traditional" masculinity - where men hold a dominant role in a relationship and women are subservient.

Terms including "The Matrix" and "red pill" - referring to the idea that men have become "wage slaves" disadvantaged by a society that prioritises women's rights - are popular in the space.

Manosphere influencers such as Justin Waller, an American businessman who appears in Theroux's film, often portray themselves as wealthy, successful and surrounded by young women.

Many sell courses claiming to teach subscribers how to emulate them.

They often go viral in short clips where they will unapologetically make bold, divisive statements about gender roles or degrading comments about women.

Others are also accused of making homophobic, racist and antisemitic statements in their content, and Theroux is seen confronting US streamer Sneako, real name Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy, over claims he makes about Jewish people.

Newsbeat gathered five young men - the target audience for the manosphere creators - who'd watched the Theroux documentary to get their reaction to it.

Reece Hunt and Thaua Oliviera De Lima, both 21, say they were familiar with the influencers seen in the film thanks to their algorithms, but had mainly seen their more light-hearted content.

Reece says he'd always found it "quite funny", but the behind-the-scenes moments captured by Theroux revealed a "new aspect" to those posting the material.

Thaua says he'd previously thought the content was "jokes", but the film made him think those posting it were "quite bad people".

He says the creators are being "controversial on purpose" to generate more views, making him think it's "all a scheme" to make money.

Other panellists said they'd noticed the influence of manosphere content on their own friend groups.

Zeesham Khan, 23, said he and his younger brother both knew people who had radically changed their mindsets after engaging with it.

"I know people who have lost friends because those friends believe: 'If you're not rich, I shouldn't be hanging around with you.

"I'm trying to get rich, I'm trying to go off to Dubai, I've got to cut you off'.”

Student Kenan says he's looked at some of the courses many influencers sell and has not invested himself, but understands why others might.

"A lot of people, when you get to your 20s, they feel like they're running out of time to make a move, to be rich, so they invest in these courses," says the 20-year-old.

"You can't just go to one of these influencers and buy one of their courses thinking that life's gonna be so much easier after that.

"They're the only ones profiting off that."

While Theroux's documentary has been eye-opening for some, content creators who've been challenging manosphere narratives felt they'd heard much of it before.

Jamaal Burkmar, who regularly posts commentary on topics including masculinity and gender on TikTok, tells Newsbeat he didn't feel the film broke new ground.

But, he says, it's a "good introduction" for anyone unaware of how pervasive manosphere-themed content is.

Burkmar, 35, feels young men being drawn into the space are "looking for guidance and are often finding it in these places".

And he says they need to be listened to.

In his view, the current job market and years of under-investment in the arts and services such as youth centres - sources of support and community for young people - have helped to drive people online.

"If people don't have an opportunity, if people don't have a way to earn a living, if people don't have a way to grow in this country, they'll always resort to the same kind of demons and the same kind of enemies," he says.

"And those ones are immigrants and the disenfranchised, essentially."

One of Newsbeat's panellists Anakin Lee, 22, says he can understand why manosphere messages resonate with young men.

The forensic science graduate says he's been struggling to find a new job for about six months.

"There's so many people in your position, they're vulnerable, they've dedicated a lot of time to education, now they feel like they can't get a job," he says.

He agrees that influencers promising a shortcut to success and a way to "get out of the Matrix" can seem appealing to people who think they've "got no other choice".

Theroux's documentary has been criticised for featuring few female voices, and the ones viewers do hear from are mainly the partners of influencers he interviews.

However, charity Women's Aid told Newsbeat the documentary was "uncomfortable, yet absolutely essential viewing".

It said more needed to be done to counter misogyny, and called for tech companies to be held to a higher standard when it comes to content young people see.

"Equally, we must meet young people where they are, providing them with education on what healthy relationships look like," it said in a statement.

Domestic abuse charity Refuge said the manosphere was "directly connected" to real-word violence against women, and some parts of the space online actively encouraged it.

"The misogynistic and anti-feminist views promoted in the manosphere influence how some men behave in real-world relationships," it said.

BBC Newsbeat approached those featured in the documentary for comment.

Only Sneako's team responded, providing a statement where he said he wished certain debates he'd had with Theroux had been included.

Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.