Roll up, roll up – fun times are here again, especially for us ladies! Last week we had 2025’s first addition to the bulging files of true-crime stories, with the documentary series about rapist and serial killer Todd Kohlhepp (The Amazon Review Killer). Now we have the first documentary about a high-profile star claimed by multiple women to be a violent sexual predator long enabled by his fame, money and power to do exactly as he liked, to as many young women as he liked, without fear of consequence.
Marilyn Manson: Unmasked is a meticulously assembled three-part account of the shock-rock musician’s career and what was allegedly happening behind the scenes. All of which, I should say, is denied by Manson (real name Brian Warner) and on screen by his quietly terrifying lawyer Howard King, whose favourite expression seems to be “complete fabrication”.
It follows what has become, depressingly, the traditional trajectory of interviewing the accused’s friends and associates, interwoven with testimony from his alleged victims, and allowing the viewer’s viewpoint to evolve. Former bandmate Stephen Bier is emblematic of the struggle we see play out in so many of what we might call witnesses for the defence in such programmes: keen not to seem unsympathetic, but finding it hard not to let an underlying incredulity show through. Being on a rock tour, he admits, “is a test of your virtue … And minors have different brains, they haven’t developed, et cetera, et cetera. But that’s a legal problem!” Bier has an unfortunate tendency to punctuate his thoughts with laughter. He also notes that the tour manager would write the age of consent up in the bus “because they’re different in every state”. He seems to think this is proof of something good. But, gosh – I might venture that it is indicative of something quite other.
Evan Rachel Wood. Photograph: Channel 4
Manson’s most famous accuser is his former girlfriend and now film and television star Evan Rachel Wood. She testified at a 2018 congressional hearing regarding a domestic-violence prevention bill to years of horrific abuse at a partner’s hands, and later named him as Manson. It encouraged other women to come forward with similar stories, and lawsuits against the musician began to accumulate. Some he has settled, others are ongoing. According to his fans, Wood is orchestrating a campaign of lies against him and persuading other women to join in. Wood asks if that is more likely than the notion that “a bad person has been doing bad things for a really long time”.
Beyond setting out the timelines and testimonies that must form the spine of this kind of documentary, Marilyn Manson: Unmasked teases out the question of how able people should have been to distinguish between performative transgressions designed to shock (and build the notoriety upon which his career depended) and a man hiding terrible proclivities in plain sight. There is plentiful footage of Manson on stage saying to his screaming fans things like “Which one of you sixth graders wants me to make you feel like a goddamn eighth grader?” and “Send some of those little eighth-grader girls up here so I can put my whole arm inside them”, and referring to their “sticky pussies”. I think most of us would have been on high alert by then. But perhaps it would depend on how much money he was making for us. And how much we thought we could blame anyone for getting involved with a self-proclaimed Satan lover. “If you’re a vegetarian, don’t go to a hamburger shop,” advises one of his former colleagues.
What are we to make of the crew who apparently didn’t realise a barely conscious Wood was, she says now, being raped by Manson as they filmed the Heart-Shaped Glasses – a Lolita reference – music video? Their silence and professed ignorance is proof, according to King, of another of those “complete fabrications” by a woman determined “to destroy Brian professionally and emotionally”. Again, it is possible to feel quite otherwise.
What do we make of the media who at his peak uncritically adored Manson’s controversial ways and endless quotability? Not that all of his comments made it into print. The last episode contains previously unheard excerpts of the audiotapes that were a prelude to a Rolling Stone magazine piece. For example, “I’m not into rape whatsoever … I prefer to break a woman down to the point where they have no choice but to submit to me. Rape is for cowards, for lazy people.” It chimes perfectly with the onscreen testimonies of his alleged victims, including and especially Wood. But it was probably just his persona speaking. Just a performance. Because who could believe there are men out there who are really like that?
Marilyn Manson: Unmasked review – should a tour bus really need the age of consent pinned to the wall?
In the wake of shocking allegations against Marilyn Manson, the controversial rock star’s behavior has once again come under scrutiny. The recent documentary, Marilyn Manson: Unmasked, delves into the dark and disturbing world of the musician, shedding light on the allegations of abuse and manipulation that have plagued him for years.
One of the most disturbing revelations from the documentary is the fact that Manson’s tour bus allegedly had the age of consent pinned to the wall. This raises serious questions about the singer’s attitude towards consent and boundaries, and whether he has used his position of power to exploit vulnerable young women.
The documentary features interviews with Manson’s former partners and collaborators, who paint a picture of a controlling and manipulative individual who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. The allegations of abuse and coercion are deeply troubling, and raise serious concerns about the treatment of women in the music industry.
It is clear that Manson’s behavior has had a lasting impact on those who have crossed paths with him, and the documentary serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and influence. It is essential that we hold individuals like Manson accountable for their actions, and ensure that survivors of abuse are listened to and supported.
Overall, Marilyn Manson: Unmasked is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that shines a light on the dark side of the music industry. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of consent and respect, and the need to challenge toxic attitudes and behaviors wherever they may be found.
Wayne Rooney and Plymouth Argyle have “mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect”, the club have announced. The 39-year-old was appointed in May and leaves with the club sat bottom of the Championship, four points from safety after 23 games. They most recently lost 2-0 to fellow strugglers Oxford and 4-0 to Coventry.
In a statement on the Plymouth website, Rooney said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the board of Plymouth, in particular Simon Hallett and Neil Dewsnip who I shared great relationships with.
“Thanks also to all the staff who made me feel welcome and who make the club such a special place, the players and fans for their efforts and support during my time as head coach and I wish them all the best for the future.
Wayne Rooney and his coaching team during the defeat at Oxford that proved his final game as Plymouth manager. Photograph: Dennis Goodwin/ProSports/Shutterstock
“To the Green Army thanks for making the games at Home Park so special, they are memories that we will share forever. I would also like to give a special mention to my coaching staff Kevin Nancekivell, Simon Ireland, Darryl Flahavan and Mike Phelan for their knowledge, dedication, help and support.
“Plymouth Argyle will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to look out for and take interest in their results.”
The first-team coach, Kevin Nancekivell, and the club captain, Joe Edwards, will be in charge for Plymouth’s New Year’s Day home game against Bristol City.
A statement on the club website read: “Plymouth Argyle can confirm that the club and head coach Wayne Rooney have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect. Departing the club with Rooney will be assistant head coach Mike Phelan and first-team coach Simon Ireland.
“We would like to thank Wayne and his team for all their efforts and wish them well for the future. The club will be making no further comment at this stage with updates on our new first-team management staff in due course.”
Wayne Rooney leaves Plymouth by mutual consent after seven months | Plymouth Argyle
In a surprising turn of events, Wayne Rooney has parted ways with Plymouth Argyle after just seven months with the club. The decision to leave was made by mutual consent, with both parties agreeing that it was in the best interest of all involved.
Rooney joined Plymouth in January of this year, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to the team. However, despite his best efforts, the club has struggled to find success on the pitch, leading to this decision to part ways.
Plymouth Argyle released a statement thanking Rooney for his contributions during his time with the club and wishing him the best in his future endeavors. Rooney also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play for Plymouth and stated that he is now looking forward to the next chapter in his career.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Wayne Rooney, but one thing is for certain – his time with Plymouth Argyle will not be forgotten. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
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