Sabrina Carpenter Drops ‘Manchild’ Video: A Wild Desert Ride with Car Explosions, Shotguns, Sharks, Pigs & Very Poor Men | HOLR Has the Latest
June 6, 2025: HOLR breaks down the story here. Sabrina Carpenter just unleashed the music video for her sizzling new single “Manchild,” and trust us—it’s a cheeky, cinematic joyride curated for summer binge-watching. Directed by Vania Heymann and Gal Muggia, the clip takes place in a surreal desert landscape, packed with jaw-dropping visuals and a cast of questionable male leads .
A Wildly Themed Desert Odyssey
The “Manchild” video is one of the most eccentric road trips in pop culture:
Hitchhiking royalty: Carpenter ditches cars and bad dates with daring transitions — from jet‑skis on wheels to a motorized leather armchair.
Face‑to‑face with absurdity: She swims with sharks in a pool, soaks in a hot tub with pigs, and navigates the desert amid fuel‑ignited car explosions.
Sharp tongue meets symbols: Shotguns and machine guns accompany scenes where hapless men—literal man‑children—act out their immaturity, deserving every bit of Carpenter’s wit.
Lyrics Packed with Sass
The tune artfully blends ’80s synth-pop, country-pop twang, and disco energy, punctuated by biting lyrics:
“Manchild, why you always come a-runnin’ to me?”
“Half your brain just ain’t there… I like my men all incompetent.”
It’s Carpenter’s trademark humorous eye‑roll set to a playful beat—prime candidate for a summer anthem .
Road Movie & Mythical Allegory
Critics are calling it a mash-up of classic road movie tropes—including nods to Thelma & Louise and Quentin Tarantino vibes—filtered through a modern pop-culture lens. A Spanish outlet even likened Carpenter to Circe, transforming her bumbling male suitors into symbolic animals like pigs, orcas, and smoking squirrels.
Inspiration & Creative Team
Carpenter co-wrote the song with Amy Allen and Jack Antonoff (who also produced it), describing the process as the “best random Tuesday” of her life. It captures the “weird yet fun messy run of young adulthood,” intentionally scoring that chaotic summer vibe.
Release & Promotion Timeline
Single dropped: June 5, 2025—including a collectible 7‑inch vinyl with the B-side “Inside of Your Head When You’ve Just Won an Argument with a Man” .
Music video premiere: June 6, 2025.
Promotional events: Drive-in screening experience held June 6 in NYC.
Live performances: Carpenter headlining Primavera Sound in Barcelona on June 6, followed by festival dates at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits .
HOLR Insight
HOLR breaks it down: Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” is a bold cocktail—wit, visual flair, summer pop energy, and cinematic homage all rolled into one. The video’s clever symbolism (men as animals), its exaggerated, absurdist action, and Carpenter’s mischievous lyrics position the track to resonate widely. It’s not just catchy—it’s a statement: she’s embracing empowerment with humor and flair. Expect it to dominate this summer’s playlists and GIF-worthy highlights.
Published by HOLR Magazine