Manodrome

John Trengove’s Manodrome (2023) is an unsettling exploration of masculinity in crisis. Starring Jesse Eisenberg as Ralphie, a struggling Uber driver and expectant father, the film delves deep into the fractures of modern manhood, where societal pressures, toxic ideologies, and a yearning for purpose collide in devastating ways.

From the opening scenes, Ralphie’s fragility is palpable. He is a man on the edge, torn between the expectations placed on him as a provider and the personal failures that chip away at his self-worth.

Enter the “Manodrome,” a cult-like sect led by the enigmatic Dan (Adrien Brody), whose seductive charisma offers Ralphie a semblance of belonging. This “hatred sect,” as the film metaphorically paints it, thrives on manipulating vulnerable men, offering them a distorted sense of power through the rejection of women and traditional relationships.

The film’s portrayal of the man-woman relationship is chillingly stark. Ralphie’s growing resentment toward his girlfriend, Sal (Odessa Young), epitomizes the toxic dynamics fostered by the group. In the Manodrome’s worldview, women are painted as the root of men’s suffering - a projection of deep-seated misogyny that becomes a twisted justification for violence.

Sal, however, stands as a symbol of strength, embodying the resilience that contrasts sharply with Ralphie’s spiraling weakness. This dichotomy of strong women versus weak men is a recurring motif, emphasizing the film’s critique of the fragile egos that fuel toxic masculinity.

As Ralphie becomes further entrenched in the cult’s ideology, the film examines the “loss of masculinity” in today’s world. Men like Ralphie, who feel powerless and disconnected, are depicted as easy prey for movements that promise a return to traditional patriarchal dominance.

The movie deftly critiques how the patriarchy, far from empowering men, distorts their souls, turning their mental struggles into violence. In one particularly harrowing scene, Ralphie’s internalized rage spills over, showcasing how societal pressure to embody an “alpha” identity can drive men to destructive extremes.

The film’s exploration of incel culture is haunting. The Manodrome acts as a microcosm for the online communities that radicalize disenfranchised men, fostering a shared hatred for women and a collective yearning for supremacy.

Violence becomes their proof of dominance, a desperate attempt to reclaim the power they feel has been stripped from them. This idea reaches a horrifying climax as Ralphie’s unraveling mind is weaponized, highlighting how society’s failure to nurture healthy expressions of masculinity has instead bred anger and resentment.

At its core, "Manodrome" suggests that men are not inherently born to be the “alpha species” society often demands of them.

The film touches on the tragedy of men raised with expectations of strength, only to falter in adulthood when love and connection elude them. Ralphie’s descent is a tragic reminder that what men truly seek is not dominance but a sense of belonging and affection - a need that is often denied in a world obsessed with power dynamics.

Trengove’s critique of toxic masculinity and the patriarchy is unflinching. He shows how these constructs not only oppress women but also destroy the very men they purport to empower.

Ralphie’s transformation into a socially weaponized individual serves as a stark warning of what happens when society fails to address the root causes of male discontent. Misogyny, as depicted in the film, becomes not just a symptom but a rebirth of twisted masculinity, leading to and perpetuating cycles of violence.

In "Manodrome," Trengove masterfully balances the personal and the political, crafting a narrative that is as much a psychological study as it is a societal critique.

The film leaves viewers grappling with uncomfortable questions about the state of modern manhood and the systems that continue to distort it. It is a harrowing yet essential watch for anyone seeking to understand the destructive forces that lurk beneath the surface of toxic masculinity.