What ‘incel’ actually means as Netflix series Adolescence raises important point about Gen Z

Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.

Adolescence landed on our screens nearly a week ago now (13 March) and it's fair to say viewers are still reeling after rattling through all four episodes of the 'disturbing' limited series.

The Netflix series, which has impressively received a 98 percent Rotten Tomatoes score as well as sky-rocketing to the 'No.1 in TV Programmes Today' slot on the streamer, boasts a star-studded cast featuring the likes of Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, and new talent Owen Cooper.

The story follows a father named Eddie Miller (Graham) whose life is turned upside-down when his 13-year-old son Jamie (Cooper) is arrested for the violent murder of one of his female classmates, Katie.

Now, the series as a whole expertly tackles a number of extremely topical subjects like misogyny, the online 'manosphere', toxic masculinity, children's safety when it comes to the internet and incels.

But what does 'incel' actually mean as Adolescence raises an extremely important point about Gen Z?

How is the term 'incel' used in Adolescence?

The second episode, which made a fleeting reference to Andrew Tate, a misogynistic influencer who recently travelled to the US despite facing charges of rape and people trafficking in Romania, revealed the secret symbolism in emojis used by teenagers online.

Jamie Miller is accused of being an 'incel' by his classmate Katie in Adolescence (Netflix)

We see the lead detective's teenage son, who also goes to the same school as Jamie and his murdered classmate, explain that the use of a red pill emoji is a reference to a red pill showing the world as it is from The Matrix.

He explained the red pill is like 'I see the truth' and is a call to action by the 'manosphere' - a network of online male communities like websites, blogs, and online forums promoting toxic masculinity, misogyny, and a fervent opposition to feminism.

According to the teen, an 'exploding red pill' indicates that someone is an incel, adding that the '100' emoji is another incel symbol which is related to the '80 to 20 rule' - AKA the incel theory that 80 percent of women are attracted to 20 percent of men.

When Katie publicly accuses Jamie of being an incel on Instagram, he becomes embarrassed and enraged - feelings that eventually led to her murder which he said he'd plead guilty for in the final episode.

What is an 'incel'?

The four-part series tackles topical subject matter like online misogyny, toxic masculinity and the 'manosphere' (Netflix)

Simply put, the term 'incel' stands for being 'involuntary celibate'.

It's become associated with a mostly online subculture of people, whose entire definition of identity revolves around being unable to find a romantic or sexual partner despite desiring one and who blame, objectify and attack women and girls as a result.

What are some common themes rife in 'incel' culture?

According to a 2022 study which was published in the journal, Current Psychiatry Reports, and filed in the National Library of Medicine, there are some major ideologies that tie incel communities together.

These include:

• an appearance-based hierarchy, in which how one looks is considered the most essential key to both sexual relationships and one’s place in society
• a belief in female 'hypergamy', the notion that women are too sexually selective and use their privilege and sexuality for social advancement above all else
• a dislike of feminism

Why is the 'incel' identity dangerous?

A shocking number of self-described 'incels' have used their misogynist ideology as motivation for murder (Getty Stock Images)

The real-life impacts of 'incel' culture and the wider online 'manosphere' in general can already be seen as its consequences are more than just a social media 'trend' or 'movement'.

Back in 2014, 22-year-old Elliot Rodger - a self-described 'incel' - went on a stabbing and shooting spree in Isla Vista, California, killing six people and injuring more than a dozen.

Then, in 2021, Alek Minassian drove a van into a crowded area killing ten people and spoke of an 'incel rebellion' to 'overthrow the Chads and Stacys' - terms which refer to attractive men and women who incels perceive at the top of the male social hierarchy whilst also being the reason for their sexual failures.

Jake Davison, who killed five people during a shooting rampage in Plymouth, England, in the same year, expressed solidarity with incel culture and had a fascination with violent men.

And, just earlier this month (5 March), it was found that Kyle Clifford searched for self-described misogynist Andrew Tate's podcast the day before he carried out his four-hour attack which saw him rape and murder his ex-girlfriend as well as killing her sister and their mother in Hertfordshire in 2024.

And that's just to name a few case studies.

Adolescence is available to stream on Netflix now.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.