Louis Theroux: ISIS Was the One Topic He Felt Too Frightened to Cover

Louis Theroux has been in the spotlight again thanks to his Netflix documentary Into the Manosphere, which dives into a new generation of male influencers and features conversations with HSTikkyTokky, Ed Matthews, Myron Gaines, Justin Waller, and Sneako. The project has stirred debate for various reasons, including remarks about Jimmy Savile, a notable misconception, and a public exchange with Andrew Tate over Google search results.

In press rounds for the film, Theroux revealed the one subject he admits he never felt safe pursuing: ISIS. He explained to LadBible that while he has tackled provocative topics before—apartheid, the Westboro Baptist Church, pedophilia, neo-Nazis, and issues around West Bank settlements—the Islamic State presented a level of danger and unpredictability that gave him pause.

“I would have loved to cover it, but I wouldn’t have felt safe going out there,” Theroux said, recalling the brutal scenes the group was known for, including executions and mass violence. He described ISIS as a grim, almost medieval revival of violence, the kind of extreme, contagious irrationality that he studies in his work. Ultimately, he and his team decided not to pursue it.

Into the Manosphere is now streaming on Netflix, offering a lens into the personalities shaping a controversial corner of online culture. For more documentaries this month, you can explore related releases.