In the digital age, the term “red pill” goes beyond the symbolism it had in the late 1990s. Instead of being a movie reference, “red pill” circulates as a symbol for misogyny in online communities. Those who participate (also known as being “red-pilled”) often encourage young men who feel alienated from society to adopt behaviors which demonize or objectify women.

The term “Red Pill” originated from the 1999 film The Matrix, where the main protagonist was offered the dilemma of either choosing a red pill (awareness of an unpleasant reality) or a blue pill (living peacefully in ignorance).

• However, in modern times, “Red Pill” is used to describe men who believe their misery is caused by women and “woke up” to the reality that men are the oppressed gender.
• Men who don’t believe in the “Red Pill” ideology are referred to as “being blue-pilled.”
• The Red Pill ideology belongs to a larger online community known as the “manosphere,” which is a network of digital spaces that promote harmful views against women under the guise of giving men “advice.”

Notable Red Pill subgroups include:

• • • Involuntary Celibates (Incels): Men who believe that women are “purposefully depriving” men of sex.
    • Men’s Rights Activists (MRAs): Men who believe that feminism/women’s rights (the right to vote, education, and be in leadership positions) are oppressing men. 
    • Pick up Artists (PUAs): Men who teach other men how to “seduce” women through manipulation, objectification, and even disregarding sexual consent.
    • Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW): Men who believe that society is structured against men and that it’s best to avoid women as much as possible.

Some women also participate in “Red Pill” communities such as the subreddit r/RedPillWomen under the belief that traditional gender roles among men and women are biological/ideal (with exclusions against marginalized communities).

• • • However, compared to men’s “Red Pill” communities, women who participate in r/RedPillWomen tend to be more reserved about the “Red Pill” ideology and use traditional femininity as more of a personal life hack rather than passive acceptance of traditional gender norms.

“Red Pill” content is commonly found on:

• • • Reddit subreddits such as r/Men’s Rights, r/TRP, r/Red Pill Theory, and r/Men Going Their Own Way.
    • “Alpha male” podcasts on popular listening platforms, such as Spotify or Apple Podcasts, target young men/adolescents who feel uncertain about their place in society by exposing them to misogynistic values so they can achieve “alpha male status.”
    • X (formerly known as Twitter).
    • TikTok (#redpilltiktok).

Examples of popular “Red Pill” content creators:

The creators of the Fresh and Fit podcast, Walter Weekes and Myron Gaines, both use misogynistic terms and slang such as “beta/simp” to shame men who don’t fit the creators’ ideals of “alpha” masculinity.

Andrew Tate, a British-American former kickboxer/internet personality who uses his platform to promote his message that women are the “inferior” beings to justify physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and grooming against women. Currently, he’s being criminally investigated for human trafficking, assault, and rape in the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Romania.

• According to a study from Movember Institute of Men’s Health, about 63% of young men regularly engage with at least one masculinity influencer.

• • • The research finds that while men who watch at least one masculinity influencer held a more optimistic view on the social future for men (49% > 33%), young men who engaged with these influencers were also reported to be less likely to prioritize their mental health (45% compared to 55%)
    • Young men who engage with masculinity influencers found less value in spending time with friends and family (40% compared to 47%)
    • 47% of young men who engage with masculinity influencer content report that they work out despite being injured, compared to 39% of young men who don’t engage with masculinity content.
    • 70% of young men who engage with masculinity influencer content also expressed the belief that women have it easier than men.
    • 76% of young men who engage with this content also believe that men who can’t control their emotions are weak.

Sources: 

• Taking the Red Pill: A Content Analysis of Ambivalent Sexism and Precarious Manhood in Alpha Male Podcasts 
• Red Pill Women: Heterosexual Fantasies in Misogynistic Spaces – Pauline Hoebanx, 2025
• What is the manosphere and why should we care? | UN Women – Headquarters  
• Red pill and blue pill | Meaning, Symbolism, Incel Culture, & The Matrix | Britannica 
• Pickup Artists (PUAs) S. Willis Shaw, Embedded Intelligence Analyst Maura’s Voice Research Fund & ADL Cent 
• View of Join the Brotherhood!: How “Alpha Male” Podcasts are Targeting Men | The Ethnograph: Journal of Anthropology 
• Florida AG opens criminal probe into Tate brothers – POLITICO 
• Andrew Tate, ‘King of Toxic Masculinity,’ faces 3 legal cases in 2 countries – ABC News  
• Movember Foundation Full Report (2025)
• Movember Foundation Key Findings (2025)