In a Hollywood where muscular virility has long been the standard, a new generation of actors is emerging, redefining the codes of masculinity. They are called the “Noodle Boys”, literally “noodle boys”. The nickname is unflattering at first glance, but it embodies a new generation of men with undeniable charm. These young men with thin silhouettes and often androgynous features embody a version of virility that moves away from brute force. Timothée Chalamet is surely the best incarnation, but we can also cite Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), Mark Eidelstein (Anora), or even Vassili Schneider (The Counts of Monte Cristo) and Félix Lefebvre (Summer 85) In France. These actors do not seek to impose aggressive masculinity, but rather an image of gentleness, fragility and vulnerability, while remaining fascinating and contemporary.
Noodle Boys: a new definition of virility
The “Noodle Boys” embody this new generation of actors who are overturning the codes of Hollywood, far from the body-built heroes of action films or the dominant figures of the 1980s. At a time when fragility becomes a strength, these actors impose a singular beauty, characterized by slender silhouettes and faces with delicate features. Their appearance, closer to poetry than to brute force, illustrates a profound change in the perception of virility, where introspection and sensitivity take precedence over physical exuberance.
Timothée Chalamet, with his almost nonchalant thinness and hypnotic gaze, paved the way for this aesthetic in Call Me By Your Name. He is no longer alone: Paul Mescal, in the series Normal Peopleor Jacob Elordi, known for his nuanced roles, also contribute to this subtle masculinity, which combines fragility and confidence. These actors mark a clear break with imposed standards, favoring the expression of emotion over that of domination.
A cultural revolution in progress
While icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone have long embodied a virility made of muscles and authority, the “Noodle Boys” offer an alternative that appeals to a generation hungry for new values. From now on, masculinity on screen is no longer measured by the size of the biceps but by the ability to convey a disarming softness. Mark Eidelstein’s physical performance in Anora is a lesson in physical comedy, where his body, slender and lanky, seems to bend and deform in hilarious ways, while retaining an undeniable charm.
This development goes beyond movie sets. It reflects a cultural movement that challenges toxic masculinity and proposes a more nuanced masculinity, where vulnerability becomes a form of courage. As Jeffrey McCune, professor at the University of Rochester, explains in The New York Times : “There is a real desire to have something other than this type of aggressive, belligerent, overtly predatory white masculinity.” A revolution which, far from being purely aesthetic, deeply affects gender codes and shakes up the very foundations of what “being a man” means.
Between androgyny and seduction
These young men also embody a form of gentle androgyny, which flirts with feminine codes without entirely adopting them. Their slim appearance and fine features are all assets that make them incredibly attractive to a wider audience, including a fanbase feminine more and more fond of this new image of the masculine. This attraction now goes beyond the boundaries of cinema. These “Noodle Boys” have become fashion muses, appearing in campaigns for brands like Saint Laurent and Chanel. We saw Finn Wolfhard, the adorable Mike from Stranger Thingspose for Saint Laurent, his torso barely covered, in a posture that is both fragile and confident. Likewise, Paul Mescal makes a splash in his mini shorts and minimalist outfits by Gucciwhere elegance and simplicity meet this almost androgynous beauty that turns heads.
Why is this new masculinity fascinating?
The fascination with these figures of fragility is not simply a question of appearance. Their appeal lies in this idea of “recessed” masculinity, less aggressive, less assertive, and yet more captivating. As film professor Drew Ayers explains in The New York Timesthese young men draw their authority from something more subtle. The power comes not from their bodies, but from their personality and their presence on screen. This gentle, introspective approach to masculinity offers a refreshing alternative to traditional models, and is what appeals to younger generations, who are looking for a more honest and vulnerable version of the masculine.
A bright future for the “Noodle Boys”
The “Noodle Boys” phenomenon shows no sign of disappearing. In reality, this phenomenon is nothing entirely new. In the 90s, figures like Leonardo DiCaprio or Johnny Depp in their twenties already embodied a similar aesthetic. Later, in France, Pierre Niney took up this torch in the 2010s. But this new wave seems to go well beyond simple fashion or simple cinema. These actors have their place on the big screen, but also in the collective imagination, where they redefine the very idea of what it means to be a man today.
