In recent years, the term “incel” has gained prominence in debates about violence, misogyny, and the dangers of online communities. The word, an abbreviation of “involuntary celibate,” refers to a group of individuals, primarily men, who feel romantically rejected and, in some cases, develop feelings of anger and hostility toward women and society. This underground culture has been associated with acts of extreme violence, including massacres and murders.

The murder of four students at the University of Idaho in November 2022 brought this discussion to the fore. The main suspect, Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old criminology student, was accused of brutally killing four young college students while they slept. While prosecutors have yet to confirm a direct connection to incel culture, experts point to patterns of behavior that fit common characteristics of this group, such as social isolation and difficulties in romantic interaction.

This tragic case highlights how some online communities can reinforce destructive ideologies, providing spaces where frustrated individuals find validation for their feelings of rejection and anger. The growing number of violent incidents associated with this subculture raises questions about the impact of social isolation and digital radicalization on young people.

Representation in Fiction: Adolescence and the Influence of the Digital World

The theme of incels and their impact on society is also explored in the British miniseries Adolescence, released on Netflix in March 2025. The production follows the story of Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy who faces bullying and social isolation. His frustration leads him to connect with online communities, where he encounters extremist discourse that shapes his perception of the world. The plot culminates in a tragic event: Jamie is accused of murdering a classmate, an act influenced by ideas absorbed from the internet.

The series received critical acclaim for its realistic and impactful approach. With a single-take filming format and a script that explores youth vulnerability, Adolescence has become a landmark work for discussing the digital world’s impact on adolescents’ psychological development. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer even supported its screening in UK schools as a way to educate young people about the dangers of social media and online radicalization.

Remembering the details of the Idaho Murders

In the early hours of November 13, 2022, four students were brutally stabbed to death inside their home. The victims, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, were between 20 and 21 years old.

The night before the crime, Kaylee and Madison had been at a bar, while Xana and Ethan had attended a fraternity party. The four returned home around 1:45 a.m. During the early hours of the morning, around 4 a.m., a man broke into the house and attacked them while they were sleeping. The forensic report indicated that some of the victims tried to defend themselves, but were unable to escape fatal injuries. Two other female colleagues were at the house, but were not attacked; one of them saw a masked man leaving the house, but, in a state of shock, they delayed calling the police.

For weeks, the police investigated several leads until they reached Bryan Kohberger, who was studying for a doctorate in criminology at a university a few miles from the crime scene. His car was identified through security camera footage, and cell phone records were found that placed him in the area at the time of the crimes. Although these are circumstantial details, a DNA sample found at the scene matches that of the student. His behavior after the crime also raised suspicions, as he suddenly traveled to Pennsylvania with his father and showed signs of nervousness. Kohberger was arrested on December 30, 2022, and formally charged with the four murders and home invasion. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, but he pleaded not guilty.

Common Points Between the Series and Reality

Both the real crime at the University of Idaho and the fictional plot of the series Adolescence involve young people who, in different ways, felt displaced from society and, instead of seeking support or psychological help, plunged into a spiral of resentment that culminated in extreme acts. In Kohberger’s case, acquaintances reported that he had difficulty socializing and a history of romantic frustrations, characteristics that some associate with the incel profile, although his direct connection to this community is uncertain. In the series, Jamie Miller is bullied and, without adequate support, plunges into entangles in online communities that reinforce his negative view of the world, leading him to commit a violent crime.

In real life, FBI experts have raised suspicions that Kohberger has an incel complex, given his texts and posts that are in line with the profile of men who identify as incels: those who generally have mental health problems and experience feelings of victimization, inferiority, and loneliness.

Another parallel between the case and the Netflix series is premeditation. Kohberger was accused of monitoring his victims before the crime, just as Jamie, in the series, goes through a process of radicalization before committing his violent act. Both cases show how isolated individuals can be dangerously influenced by destructive ideologies and how the digital environment can reinforce thought patterns that lead to violence.

The Idaho Case and Current Affairs: What to Expect in 2025

Bryan Kohberger’s trial is currently scheduled for August 2025, and everyone is hoping to learn more about the motive for the crime. The intersection between the real-life Idaho case and the fictional narrative of Adolescence reinforces the need for understanding and prevention, especially regarding the impact of online communities on youth.

The debate about violence, social isolation, and digital radicalization has never been more urgent.

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