Exploring the Emerging Trend of “Rodent Men” and Their Unique Appeal in Modern Pop Culture and Dating Preferences
The current trend seems to focus on unconventionally attractive men with traits similar to that of a Rat Boy or a Rodent Boyfriend. However, you’re not alone if you’re unfamiliar with this concept that’s gaining traction among Generation Z.
Origins of the Rat Boyfriend Concept
This phenomenon originated from a popular tweet in 2023 that classified hot white men into four categories: eagle handsome, bear handsome, dog handsome, and reptilian handsome. Current male celebrities like Ryan Gosling, Henry Cavill, Heath Ledger, and Barry Keoghan were the examples used to represent these categories. It’s not hard to see why these hot man celebrities were chosen, as Cavill’s broad shoulders give off a bear-like vibe, while Ledger’s blonde hair and wide smile resemble a conventionally attractive man.
Discussion on Today Show
The topic was recently discussed in a segment of Today, where presenters Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager joined in the conversation about these attractive male celebrities. “Hot, rodent boyfriend. Or a sexy rat men. They’re one and the same,” Hager clarifies. “If someone calls you a ‘sexy rat man,’ they’re essentially calling you a hot rodent boyfriend.”
Buzz Around the Movie Challengers
If you’re unfamiliar with this trend, which is part of meme culture, you may have missed out on the buzz surrounding the movie Challengers, starring Zendaya. The movie garnered attention from the internet’s thirst-trap enthusiasts for its white male celebrities.
Zendaya at 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards
Image credit: Nicole Alexander, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Characteristics of Rodent-Like Attractiveness
Men with distinctive facial features, such as prominent noses, angular faces, beady eyes, sticky-out ears, untidy hair, and a lack of muscularity, are now viewed as vaguely rat-like. This unique form of attractiveness can be seen in co-stars Timothée Chalamet and Mike Faist from Challengers, who have been compared to anthropomorphic vermin like Roddy St James (the rat from Flushed Away) and Stuart Little, respectively.
Examples of Rodent Handsome Celebrities
Other examples of this unconventional attractiveness among the top 100 male celebrities include Kieran Culkin, Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Allen White, Logan Lerman, Josh O’Connor, Tobey Maguire, Matty Healy (who inspired the rat in Flushed Away), and Jack Schlossberg (JFK’s grandson). Even Barry Keoghan, known for his offbeat comparisons and previously deemed lizard-like, can now be seen as more weasel-like. These unconventional heartthrobs are redefining beauty standards.
Popularity on Dating Apps
Many people have expressed their attraction to individuals with similar rodent resemblance on dating apps like Hinge. It should be noted that being described as rodent handsome is actually a compliment rather than an insult. It’s more about the overall quirky charm and personality-based attractiveness rather than just the physical attributes of a rat-like man.
Personality Traits of Rodent Handsome Men
These rodent handsome men, like Timothée Chalamet, often embody approachable masculinity, the opposite of toxic masculinity. They are the type to surprise their significant other with extravagant bouquets of flowers and proudly share photos of their partner’s Met Gala outfits on social media. Unlike golden retriever boyfriends, rat-men may seem slightly unusual, but in a sexy and humorous way, similar to niche interests.
British actor Tom Holland giving interview to MTV. 23 April 2018
Image credit: MTV International – YouTube, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
While these facetious comparisons and animal comparisons may raise some ethical concerns about reducing people to stereotypes, it’s clear that online trends are starting to embrace more diverse beauty ideals. The rise of rodent men shows an appreciation for lanky physiques, diverse interpretations, and positive vibes of what makes the hottest Hollywood men and hottest male celebrities under 25 attractive. So the next time you see a white celebrity male with a prominent mouth, nose shape, or aesthetic like Tom Holland, know that he just might make the cut for the Jeremy Allen white Willy Wonka – at least in the eyes of Gen Z and their evolving changing beauty standards around unconventionally attractive men.
Source:
Eve Wagstaff (May 30, 2024). Unpacking the ‘rodent boyfriend’ and ‘rat boy summer’ trend and why it’s not an insult. Mirror. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/unpacking-rodent-boyfriend-rat-boy-32919027. Accessed June 14, 2024
Header Image:Timothée Chalamet in 2017
Image credit: Maximilian Bühn, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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