At the center of every good documentary is a compelling subject, and subjects don’t get much more riveting than penis enlargement procedures. Yes, you read that right. Manhood takes us inside the rapidly growing penis enhancement industry through the eyes of one of its pioneers. But director Daniel Lombroso isn’t as interested in poking fun or passing judgment as he is in getting to the root of what makes the procedure so popular.
Bill Moore is a bit of a celebrity in the world of girth enhancement. He’s not a urologist or even a doctor; he’s simply an entrepreneur with a Dallas-based medspa focused on anti-aging, bio-hacking, and other aesthetic procedures that help boost the spirits of his clientele. Moore gets the most satisfaction out of the penis girth enhancements, which he says help ease depression and low self-esteem. He cites clients who have gone on to start businesses or get promotions because of the added confidence. But Lombroso introduces us to a few of Moore’s patients throughout the film, and their stories don’t paint as pretty a picture.
One patient’s journey casts doubt over the entire practice. He’s married with five children, unemployed and struggling to put food on the table. Despite his wife being perfectly happy with his size, he decides to spend thousands on treatments with Moore. After those treatments, he’s forced to move out of his home, which he can no longer afford, causing a rift between him and his current wife. He claims to be happier than he was before, specifically with his appearance, but his hardships are written all over his face as we watch him perform lackluster stand-up comedy to an empty room.
A woman and a man hold hands across a wooden table in the documentary Manhood.
“Manhood takes us inside the rapidly growing penis enhancement industry through the eyes of one of its pioneers…”
The ramblings of Joe Rogan act as a soundtrack for the film, popping in and out during various scenes to underscore the root of the issue Lombroso explores. Many of the patients are heavily influenced by the “manosphere” — a network of content creators working to cultivate a specific vision of masculinity online. Size isn’t really the problem here, but rather the broader insecurities perpetuated by a rigid definition of what it means to be a man. It becomes clear that struggles with mental health aren’t solved by an extra inch of girth. It’s all further exacerbated by how rich this booming industry is making its practitioners, which not only disincentivizes anyone from getting to the root causes of the dysmorphia, but also leads to some prioritizing money over patient safety.
The film often reminded me of Lance Oppenheim’s 2024 documentary Spermworld, which dives into the underground world of sperm donation with stylish flair. Similar to Oppenheim, Lombroso is able to critically dissect greater societal issues through the lens of a niche subculture. Despite the heavier themes, he finds humor in patient musings like “I’d rather work on my penis than my biceps” and clever cinematography that subtly highlights phallic objects. It also pulls no punches. This film is not for the squeamish. You’ll see needle injections in penises, botched filler, and you’ll even see some blood, all of which serve to highlight the severity of the measures these men are taking for this fleeting confidence boost.
I never thought I’d write a film review with the word “penis” in it so much, but here we are (sorry Mom). Don’t let that scare you away, because Manhood is the documentary about penis enlargement you didn’t know you needed. Once the initial shock wears off, Lombroso empathetically uncovers a much deeper truth about humanity’s struggle to accept ourselves as we are.
"…the documentary about penis enlargement you didn’t know you needed"
