The New Bromantics
Why did we stop hugging our friends?
The New Bromantics, a new short film from Movember, looks at how male friendship has changed over the last century, and why it matters for men’s health. This Movember, it starts with something simple: challenge a friend.
Movember has launched a new short film in partnership with musician, presenter and mental health advocate Jordan Stephens.
The New Bromantics brings Jordan Stephens and friends together to recreate century-old photos of men showing affection. Above: Jordan and friend Harley Sulé, captured by Chris Harris.
The photographs that started it
The film brings Jordan together with his friend and Rizzle Kicks bandmate Harley Sulé, alongside real-life friends from across the UK, to talk honestly about what their friendship means to them.
Then a surprise task lands: recreate historical images of male friendship and closeness. Old photographs from the late 19th and early 20th century show that it was commonplace for men to pose arm in arm, hand in hand, leaning on each other. As the friends are asked to recreate these poses, their reactions, and the funny and moving conversations that follow, reveal how physical affection and emotional openness between men have become increasingly stigmatised over time.
The inspiration came from an interview Jordan did with Paul C. Brunson on his We Need to Talk podcast last year.
The New Bromantics was executive produced by Jordan Stephens, created and directed by BAFTA Cymru-winning director Tom Tennant (Frontier Town, Other Life), and produced by Witness Productions and Movember.
“I had seen these old photos and chose to bring them into the conversation as part of Paul Brunson’s ‘We Need To Talk’ podcast, because one of the biggest battles I see men facing in society now is how unbelievably restrictive and suffocating the male identity can be. I don’t think that men are unreceptive to wanting to show love.”
This all came from me wanting to make something joyful and hopeful about men and masculinity. So I was immediately hooked by hearing Jordan speak about these old poses. Seeing those photos, the whole idea kind of jumped into my head, fully formed. It’s been a pleasure to partner with Jordan and Movember on it, and to meet so many men who have beautiful, inspiring friendships. Ultimately, I hope the campaign can nudge us in a more curious direction when it comes to masculinity, because the most effective change will come from a place of positivity. The only thing standing in our way is ourselves.”
This Movember, it starts with something simple: challenge a friend to grow, move or connect, and help change the story of men’s health.
“I love the fact a chat between Jordan and I sparked the idea for this brilliant film. I cannot emphasise enough how vital friendship, connection and just plain talking is - for men in particular - in a society where we are all guilty of being consumed with busy lives and online noise. This films reminds us about the importance of male friendship without stigmas or bravado about how that should be portrayed."
A light-hearted film with a serious point
Isolation and lack of social connection are a leading men’s health issue. In the UK, men live nearly four years less than women, and almost 15 men will take their own life every day. Movember believes much of this is preventable – and England’s first Men’s Health Strategy identifies strong social, community and family networks as a foundation of men’s health.
“A hug shouldn’t need a punchline. These old photographs remind us that tenderness has always had a place in men’s friendships. Men don’t always have the words to express affection or tell someone what they mean to them, and this film shows how powerfully a simple gesture can do that. We haven’t lost our capacity for affection, but too often we’ve lost the permission to show it. Let’s give that back, one arm around a friend at a time.”
Why signing up matters
Taking part is where the change starts. In Movember’s own research with its community, two in five fundraisers made a new connection through taking part, and more than eight in 10 said it helped them show the men in their lives that they care.
A hug shouldn’t need a punchline. The New Bromantics is a reminder that tenderness has always had a place in men’s friendships.
“So many of the expectations around being a man, including how we do friendship, are shaped by the world around us. They can limit vulnerability and connection, and that takes a real toll on men’s health, including whether they reach out for help. New Bromantics is a reminder that none of that is set in stone. Men can write their own rules. Movember has always been a great excuse to connect with your mates, and real connection, whether that’s sharing your worries, a hug, or an arm round the shoulder, is one of the best things we can do for our mental health, alongside getting support when we need it. This November, it starts with something simple: challenge a friend.”
Where the money goes
Thanks to its community in the UK, Movember is looking to invest around £20 million across 2026–2028 to improve younger men’s mental health, by scaling what works in the places where young men already spend their time. That means:
- Scaling Ahead of the Game, Movember’s mental health programme for young athletes, which has reached over 78,000 participants in England, Wales and Scotland, with partners including Rugby League Cares and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH)
- Investing in local community initiatives co-funded with the Department of Health and Social Care and People’s Health Trust, to help meet men through places they trust, in support of England’s first Men’s Health Strategy
- Expanding Movember’s ongoing work with BLAST, Riot Games and British Esports, embedding mental health expertise into gaming
- Funding research into the online world, relationships and the forces shaping young men’s mental health today
Across all of this work, Movember is partnering with young men themselves and the organisations who already reach them online, including Beyond Equality, On The Tools, Rap Club, Sam Browne and Fight For Peace.
Three ways to start
- Challenge a friend this Movember. Grow a moustache, run or walk 60km, host a get-together or Mo Your Own Way – raising much-needed funds and awareness for men’s health
- Share the film with someone who needs to see it
- Message a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while
Challenge a friend. Grow together. Change men’s health.
Sign up to take part in Movember now
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this article, Samaritans is available day or night on 116 123 or at samaritans.org
