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Some viewers have dubbed the new documentary a ‘wake up call’

A brand new documentary just added to Netflix has been dubbed a “wake up call” by terrified viewers.

The Plastic Detox arrived on the streaming service just this week, exploring the impact of exposure to everyday plastic items such as clothing fibres, cosmetics and kitchen tools on human health and fertility.

The feature-length film centres around six couples who are all trying for a baby. They all have one thing in common: they have been unable to conceive, with some of the pairs having spent years trying unsuccessfully to make it happen.

They are tasked with lowering their exposure to plastics over the course of three months supported by scientists and researchers to see if doing so can turn their fortunes around.

Netflix’s official synopsis reads: “Strange symptoms. Unexplained infertility. Human extinction? Six couples cut back on plastics while trying to conceive in this absorbing documentary.” The film is directed by Louie Psihoyos who was behind 2024 Netflix documentary, You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment.

Viewers have been quick to flood social media with their first thoughts about the documentary, with one warning fellow viewers: “I was not prepared to be so enraged and also disgusted. So many chemicals. In everything. All the time. Just watch at your own risk.”

A second said: “Everyone needs to watch this. It’s a wake-up call,” as a third remarked: “I just made the grave mistake of watching The Plastic Detox on Netflix and that was a mistake. I mean, it wasn’t, but it was. I would not recommend if you’re a spiraller… because, wow.”

Environmental and reproductive epidemiologist Dr Shanna Swan who appears in the documentary, told Netflix’s Tudum: “I think it empowers people to know that they can do things to protect themselves, at least if not completely, to a large extent.

“And that’s what the film really shows — when these couples took action and reduced their exposure, they saw differences.”

At time of writing, it has been revealed that three of the six couples that took part in the experiment have since gone on to become pregnant. One of the couples, Monique and Bruno, are actually expecting their second baby at the end of this month.

As well as seeing a difference in fertility, the couple shared that they had seen a huge impact in their overall health too. They shared with Tudum: “We sleep better, our skin is less dry, and Bruno’s extreme eczema has decreased considerably.”

The Plastic Detox is now available to stream on Netflix.

Fronted by James Blake, the hour-long film exposes a heartbreaking side to the manosphere’s influence

Louis Theroux’s deep dive into the manosphere is officially the most-watched film on Netflix right now, with the documentary lifting the lid on the lives of some of the most well-known content creators in the space.

The respected documentary-maker meets influencers across Miami, New York and Marbella who all have amassed huge online followings by promoting an uber-macho way of life. Among those he meets is Fresh and Fit Podcast host Myron Gaines, who has carved out a niche humiliating female adult content creators on his show.

Louis also shadows streamer Harrison Sullivan who goes by the moniker HS Tikky Tokky and has developed a following for his fitness , dating and finance content. When viewers meet him in the film, he has half a million followers on Telegram alone who are consuming his tips on how to make a quick buck, though Louis finds little success with his own £500 investment.

However, months before Louis made his documentary on the topic, TV presenter James Blake fronted one for the BBC titled Men of the Manosphere. Rather than focus on the loudest voices in the space and give them an even bigger platform, he met three young men based in the UK and Northern Ireland who had been taken in by the manosphere’s messaging.

It makes for a heartbreaking watch, showing how the words of manosphere influencers can have dangerous consequences for those that buy in to it all. Rather than stoke fury and anger at the subjects on screen, it encourages tenderness, kindness and understanding in the face of horror.

Sam, an isolated 16-year-old is one of the subjects in the film. He admits he has swapped real-life friendships for an online community made up of like-minded males all seeking self-improvement.

One of these boys is a 17-year-old from the US named Vincent, who Sam says is his best friend, despite never having met in person. He shows Vincent’s attempts at making his own YouTube videos, in which he tells his viewers: “You should do things that hurt every single day because that’s what makes you grow. You should hate your body so that you have the motivation to get nice and strong.”

Elsewhere in the film, James also meets university graduate Shayne, from Liverpool, who struggles to feel secure in his relationships and finds solace in the ‘red pill’. Meanwhile builder Jack, from Northern Ireland, is chasing discipline, status and direction when James meets him.

Documentary host James said his film was about “understanding”, and this is clear from the opening minutes. His calm approach and genuine curiosity results in some fascinating – and deeply disturbing – revelations from his interview subjects, with the consequences of the manosphere’s insidious messaging laid out plainly for all to see.

Men of the Manosphere is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

THE Apprentice star Luisa Zissman was forced to improvise to keep her kids entertained as they took shelter during missile strikes on their adopted home in Dubai.

The podcaster, 38, is one of many celebrities who relocated to UAE and was caught up in the terrifying Iranian missile strikes in Dubai this weekend.

Luisa spoke of how the family had planned to head out to the park when the Iranian missiles started hitting Dubai, so they retreated to the basement to stay safe.

She and two of her daughters, Indigo Esme, nine and Clementine, seven, moved earlier this year to join her millionaire husband Andrew Collins.

Her eldest daughter Dixie, 15, with ex-husband Olivier Zissman, is staying in the UK to finish her schooling.

Luisa described the situation in Dubai as “surreal and scary” and showed how she was keeping her kids distracted, including doing baking and watching.

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The Apprentice star Luisa Zissman shows off figure in bikini as she quits UK

DU-BYE

The Apprentice’s Luisa Zissman reveals she’s quitting ‘unsafe’ UK for Dubai

 “Home baked bread rolls. Keeping the kids entertained and indoors,” she captioned a post on Instagram.

“We got itchy feet and went to take them to the park and literally as we went to step foot out the door we heard two massive explosions that shook the house, we retreated and then heard another two. So now movie time in the basement.”

Luisa concluded: “So surreal and scary. I do faith that UAE defence will keep us all safe.”

She also showed fans how she had set up her basement to take shelter, including setting up some sleeping space for friends who were going to stay with them.

“We’ve decided to try and carry on as normal for the moment,” she explained, then showed how she’d stocked up the basement mini fridge with bottles of water though she was, “sure it won’t come to that.”

“Nothing major has happened, everything is relatively fine… when you’re here, it’s not so bad.”

Before retreating to the basement and as the missile strikes began, Luisa had thanked her fans for their concern.

“Lots of messages re Dubai,” she penned on her Instagram stories, alongside a selfie.

She added: “Lots of bangs we are hearing. Stay safe fellow UAE gang.”

Iran launched a barrage of rockets at nations across the Middle East after vowing revenge for the US and Israel’s huge blitz on the regime.

As the United Arab Emirate’s top holiday hot spot, Dubai has become a sought after travel destination for celebrities and influencers.

In more recent times, stars from the United Kingdom have been emigrating there, with many Brit celebs choosing Dubai as the place they want to bring up their families and base their careers.

Famous holidaymakers such as Vicky Pattison and Laura Anderson are currently stuck in Dubai amid the missile strikes.

Vicky was connecting through the city on her way to Australia with her husband Ercan.

But taking to Instagram on Saturday evening, she wrote: “Ercan and I were due to fly to Sydney this evening.

“But like many others, our flight has been cancelled and we are now effectively stuck in Dubai.”