The State of Man is a provocative and deeply personal investigation by award-winning journalist Marc Fennell into what it means to be a man in Australia today. Over three episodes, Marc investigates modern masculinity and the rise of the online “manosphere”, exploring the influence of big tech and the culture wars reshaping how Australian men see themselves. With honesty and empathy, Marc confronts the underlying beliefs, examines the social and technological forces that shape them, and faces his own blind spots as a man and father. It is an unflinching, deeply human look at what happens when identity, power, and belonging are up for grabs. At times shocking and darkly funny, The State of Man invites all Australians to rethink whether society can build healthier models of masculinity — for the sake of all of us.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
A Helium Pictures and New Mac Production. Developed and produced in association with the ABC. Development assistance and production funding from Minderoo Pictures. Developed with the assistance of VicScreen. Journalist and Producer: Marc Fennell. Executive Producer and Director: Melissa Maclean. Executive Producers: Mark Fennessy, Luke Clark and James McPherson. ABC Commissioning Editor Kalita Corrigan. ABC Head Documentary and Specialist: Susie Jones. Distributed by ABC Commercial.
There was an article about The State of Man earlier day, before the Showcase. It includes comments from Marc Fennell:
“We’re not coming at this subject with outrage, or wagging fingers. We’re approaching it with curiosity, openness and empathy. We’re talking to men and women from all walks of life, trying to really listen and understand what’s going on underneath it all – and how we can do better, together.”
Fennessy said the series “tackles one of the most urgent cultural shifts of our time,” calling Fennell’s investigation “unflinching and deeply human.”
“At times shocking and darkly funny, this bold series asks difficult questions wit empathy and rigor that will spark a conversation Australia urgently needs,” he added.
In the new three-part documentary series The State of Man, award-winning journalist Marc Fennell investigates the powerful online movement influencing how a generation of boys and young men see themselves and navigate the world. The series premieres Tuesday 13 October at 8pm on ABC TV, with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview.
Sparked by a moment at home when online recommendations led his children from Pokémon videos to manosphere content, Marc embarks on a global investigation into the influencers, algorithms and industries redefining modern masculinity.
Immersing himself in the online world, he follows the same algorithmic trails many young men encounter, tracking how content can evolve from fitness, finance and self-improvement to increasingly extreme and divisive ideas.
Launching amid growing concern about the impact of online influencers on boys and young men, the series examines how social media platforms amplify regressive and anti-equality messages and who stands to benefit. But as Marc follows the trail deeper into the manosphere, he uncovers a powerful global industry exploiting the vulnerabilities of young men, with consequences that reach far beyond their screens, particularly affecting girls and women.
Confronting, surprising and deeply personal, The State of Man reveals the forces shaping modern masculinity and the profound consequences they could have for families, relationships and society, while examining potential solutions to an increasingly complex social issue.
PRODUCTION CREDIT: A Helium Pictures and New Mac Production. Developed and produced in association with the ABC. Development assistance and production funding from Minderoo Pictures. Financed in association with Screen NSW, which also supported post, digital and visual effects. Developed with the assistance of VicScreen. Journalist and Producer: Marc Fennell. Executive Producer and Director: Melissa Maclean. Executive Producers: Mark Fennessy, Luke Clark and James McPherson. ABC Commissioning Editor Kalita Corrigan. ABC Head Documentary and Specialist: Susie Jones. Distributed by ABC Commercial.
Triggered by seeing how quickly his own kids were pulled from watching Pokémon videos into Joe Rogan content, Marc embarks on a three-part journey through the manosphere - a sprawling online world of influencers, algorithms, and extremist ideas reshaping how Australian men see themselves. Marc discovers the consequences not only for boys and men, but also women, girls and all Australians.
