Aziz Shavershian, known online as Zyzz, became an early fitness and masculinity influencer after transforming himself from a shy teenager into a flamboyant, muscular internet persona. A new documentary, Poster Boy: Becoming Zyzz, examines his rapid rise, death in Thailand aged 22, and lasting relevance to today’s “looksmaxxing” and manosphere culture.

Using archive footage and interviews with friends and his brother, the film explores how Zyzz exploited early YouTube, Facebook and online forums to build a global following. He promoted self-improvement and male solidarity, but also used conflict and fake accounts to attract attention; his later comments became misogynistic, homophobic and contemptuous of people he considered physically inferior.