From Manosphere To Red Pill, Decoding Terms, Emojis Used In Netflix's Adolescence
Adolescence offers a deeper look on online cultural misogyny that cultural observers say is corrupting teenagers and young men.
Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’ which is based on the fatal stabbing of a young schoolgoing her at the hands of her male classmate has offered a deeper look into the rising normalisation of cultural misogyny. While terms like ‘alpha male’ and ‘sigma male’ have become common due to a section of the internet obsessed with hypermasculinity often fuelled by the likes of influencers like Andrew Tate and several others.
The four-episode limited drama series shows how these influencers can upend the lives of young teenagers. It also goes on to show how powerless parents are when it comes to understanding what it is that their children are consuming online via their phone and laptop screens.
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"Adolescence" is created by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham. The series, which premiered on Netflix on March 13, 2025, follows the story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, portrayed by Owen Cooper, who is arrested on suspicion of murdering his classmate, Katie Leonard.
A sequence from the series where Luke Bascombe, played by Ashley Walters, learns that he completely misinterpreted a series of emojis left by Katie on Jamie’s Instagram profile.
His son comes to his rescue. He helps his father decode emojis, revealing a hidden meaning behind them. Frustrated, he tells him he’s missing the bigger picture. Showing Katie’s comments to Jamie on Instagram, Adam asks if they seem nice. When his father says yes, Adam hints there’s more beneath the surface. He then proceeds to explain certain terms which the detective had no idea about.
Here’s a look at what those emojis and terms mean:
Red Pill: In the context of online misogyny, “red pill" refers to a belief system rooted in the idea that society is fundamentally biased against men and that women manipulate men for their own benefit. The term comes from the movie The Matrix, where taking the red pill actually symbolized waking up to a harsh reality. Online, “red-pilled" communities promote anti-feminist, patriarchal views, often blaming feminism for men’s struggles in relationships, careers, and society.
Manosphere: The manosphere is a network of online communities that promote male-centric perspectives, often in opposition to feminism. It includes groups like Men’s Rights Activists (MRAs), who argue that men face systemic bias in areas like divorce and false accusations, and Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW), who advocate for complete disengagement from relationships with women. Pickup Artists (PUAs) focus on manipulative dating tactics, while Incels (Involuntary Celibates) blame women for their lack of romantic or sexual success, often expressing deep resentment.
Incel: An incel (short for “involuntary celibate") refers to someone, typically a man, who struggles to form romantic or sexual relationships despite wanting them. The term originally emerged in online discussions about loneliness and dating difficulties but has since evolved into a subculture. Many incel communities express frustration, blaming women and societal changes for their lack of relationships. This has led to misogynistic beliefs, where incels see themselves as victims of an unfair dating system.
The 100 emoji: In misogynistic online spaces, the 100 emoji is sometimes used to reinforce the so-called “80/20 rule", a belief that 80% of women are only attracted to the top 20% of men. This idea, popular in manosphere and incel circles, suggests that most men are undesirable to women unless they use manipulation or status to attract them.
Kidney bean emoji: The kidney bean emoji has been adopted as a symbol within incel communities, sometimes used for self-identification. This may be connected to its resemblance to the coffee bean meme, which has circulated on platforms like 4Chan and Reddit to demean women and promote misogynistic stereotypes.
Nonce: In the British crime drama miniseries Adolescence, the term “nonce" plays a significant role in the narrative. In British slang, “nonce" is a derogatory term used to describe a person who has committed sexual offenses, particularly against children. In the series, this term is spray-painted on the van of Eddie Miller, the father of the protagonist, Jamie Miller. This act of vandalism suggests that members of the community suspect Eddie of being a sexual offender, possibly implying that he abused his son Jamie.
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