Theo James says it’s ‘terrifying having a son’ as he weighs in on the ‘deep emptiness’ of the manosphere and ‘toxic masculinity’

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Theo James has expressed concern about raising a son in a world where the ‘manosphere’ – a network of online groups promoting harmful ideas about masculinity – is gaining influence. He believes this online movement is negatively impacting young men.

The 40-year-old actor, who has a four-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son with his wife, Ruth Kearney, expressed concern that boys are easily influenced by harmful ideas about what it means to be a man, explaining that it’s natural to gravitate towards simple explanations and expectations.

The manosphere is an online world that promotes ideas against feminism, often emphasizing traditional masculinity and, at times, hatred of women. A recent documentary by Louis Theroux examined how influential social media figures like HSTikkyTokky and Andrew Tate contribute to these views.

These influencers attract followers by promising an easy path to success and wealth. They then profit from this by creating sponsored content and advertising online trading platforms.

Theo believes the trend is so widespread because modern society increasingly values wealth and status more than relationships and ethical behavior.

On the Great Chat Show podcast with Josh Smith, he explained that people who claim society is unfairly biased against men and blame women are usually just very insecure and putting on a show of false confidence.

He noted that people would eventually understand they were simply trying to cope with a profound sense of emptiness, and emphasized how crucial it is for men to talk openly about their mental well-being.

When asked about the negative effects of social media on men, the actor known for ‘The Gentlemen’ explained that it mostly stems from underlying feelings of insecurity.

Often, men who act overly tough or display dislike towards women are actually insecure and trying to mask their feelings of inadequacy with a show of false confidence.

Currently, we’re experiencing a form of extreme capitalism where financial success is the primary measure of worth for everyone.

Our society often highly values wealth, and success is frequently measured by material possessions. This trend has become particularly noticeable with figures like Donald Trump, who embody a focus on riches and outward displays of success.

Theo admitted he was especially concerned about this trend continuing, particularly as a father to a young son, and what kind of world his son would grow up in.

The White Lotus star admitted it’s scary to have a son because people are easily drawn to harmful ideas.

You don’t need to be overly concerned with social justice, but having basic empathy and a sense of right and wrong seems to have fallen out of favor. Nowadays, it’s considered ‘cool’ to be aggressive and flaunt wealth, rather than show compassion or morality.

Ultimately, though, that way of life feels unfulfilling, and most people realize this eventually, if they haven’t already.

Everyone experiences setbacks and struggles at some point, but those who prioritize shallow consumerism and negativity seem especially vulnerable to them.

He openly discussed the pressures of being a male lead in an industry focused on physical appearance. He explained that the expectation for men to be very muscular and constantly work out is a key part of certain online communities, as it helps men define who they are.

Theo pointed out that body image issues are a significant problem, something women have faced for centuries and continue to struggle with.

Ugh, it’s just… with guys, there’s this awful pressure, you know? Like they have to prove who they are by how they look – getting huge and muscular. It’s this whole toxic thing about building your identity through your body, and it’s just… so frustrating to watch! It’s like they have to be big and strong to be seen as a ‘real’ man.

It’s clear there’s a growing problem with steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, and it’s starting at increasingly younger ages. While media like movies and TV contribute to this, it’s not limited to those sources.

He continued, explaining that much of what we call toxic masculinity stems from a lack of self-understanding – men feeling lost and insignificant. He believes the negativity towards women often arises when men are confronted with strong, successful women and struggle to cope with it.

People often feel lost about their identity and struggle with expectations, so they tend to grasp at simple things – like focusing on money, excessive exercise, or acting aggressively – because those feel manageable.

It’s a simple victory, but the long-term effects on men could be complicated.

This follows the Divergent actor’s confession that being in an industry focused on youthfulness caused him anxiety as he neared his fortieth birthday in December 2024.

He admitted he didn’t expect turning 40 to be so impactful, saying it caused a surprisingly profound personal shift. He shared this with Sunday Times Style in November.

Our world is becoming increasingly focused on visuals. Everything, including people, seems to be presented through a filter, and it’s something that definitely makes you think.

I believe people connect with seeing a sense of history reflected in a person’s appearance and character. The lines on someone’s face – both the actual wrinkles and what they represent – are captivating because they hint at a life story.

Many believe Theo is a strong contender to become the next James Bond, now that Daniel Craig has retired from the role.

He and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, his co-star in the upcoming movie Fuze, are currently the frontrunners to take on the role of the famous spy.

He had previously confessed he doubted his suitability for the role and wasn’t ready for the intense fame and pressure it brought.

Responding to speculation, Theo, who has Greek heritage, explained to The Guardian that while the James Bond role is a significant symbol of British culture, he doesn’t see himself as a likely candidate.

I believe someone else would be a better fit for the position. Frankly, taking it on would be a huge risk – once you start down that path, there’s no turning back, and you could unleash a whole set of unforeseen problems.

It would require a completely different lifestyle, not just for me, but for my whole family, and that would be really challenging. Honestly, I’m also worried my friends would make fun of me – they already joke about me being ‘the Greek Bond’.

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2026-04-08 17:06