In a recent podcast interview, Theo James has warned that raising a son nowadays might seem to parents a rather terrifying task since there is a growing number of online misogynists, who are representatives of toxic masculinity. Talking about what he finds worrying in regard to parenting his son, the actor said that one cannot deny the increasing pressure of online communities on the identity of young males.
Theo James worries about toxic masculinity
In a recent appearance on “The Great Chat” podcast, Theo James was open to sharing with listeners his worries about the growing phenomenon of toxic masculinity, which becomes increasingly relevant among the youth. According to James, many young men become followers of online incel and alpha male communities due to their lack of self-awareness and deep-seated insecurities.
“It’s terrifying having a son because people get lured into this idea very easily,” says James. “A lot of toxic masculinity comes from the lack of clarity when it comes to identity. They feel untethered.”
According to Theo James, this type of masculinity is often a consequence of men trying to prove to themselves that they are enough. It is manifested through aggressive and overly performed masculinity, which does not cover their problems and insecurities.
Another thing that worries James is the emphasis on physical appearance. Young males tend to pay a lot of attention to how big and masculine they are and even resort to taking steroids and other performance enhancement drugs. In the view of Theo James, this is an “epidemic.”
It is necessary to note that James admits that movies and television do not take all of the blame for this trend, although he believes they contribute to it. In fact, the actor considers it to be a part of the larger cultural shift.
Speaking about his professional life, it is worth noting that James is starring in such TV series as “The White Lotus” and “The Gentlemen.” His new film, the heist thriller “Fuze,” was released in UK cinemas on April 3, 2026 (with a US release scheduled for April 24). Additionally, filming for “The Gentlemen” Season 2 officially wrapped in October 2025 and is currently in post-production for a Fall 2026 release, while his film “The Monkey” was released in theaters over a year ago, in February 2025.
Apart from acting, James continues his activities for the benefit of the UNHCR as a global goodwill ambassador of the organization.
