Sabrina Carpenter Airs Out Every Manchild—Even Barry Keoghan It Seems—in 'Manchild' Video

Sabrina Carpenter has mastered the art of the sugar-coated roast, and her latest single “Manchild” might be her most exciting yet, from its spicy lyrics to music video seemingly taking jabs at what seems like one ex in particular.

It’s part breakup video, part survival guide for dealing with immature men—and if the hints are anything to go by, ex Barry Keoghan might want to avoid his mentions. They split late 2024 after a very public romance. Set in the middle of a sun-bleached desert, Carpenter hitchhikes her way through a rotating cast of hapless men in the "Manchild" music video. One paints her portrait, another drenches himself in gasoline instead of filling up the car, and one drives off a cliff without her. They’re all varying shades of useless—and that’s exactly the point.

“If I’m not there, it won’t get done,” her "Manchild" lyrics say, echoing a sentiment painfully familiar to anyone who’s had to coach a partner through basic life tasks. “Why so sexy if so dumb? And how survive the Earth so long?” she adds later, striking a perfect balance between satire and genuine frustration.

The video turns male incompetence into an aesthetic... and an anthem. Fans were quick to spot potential Barry Keoghan references throughout the video—from dramatic gestures to over-the-top theatrics—hinting at both his signature roles and, perhaps, real-life drama.

Carpenter herself described the track on Instagram as “the song embodiment of a loving eye roll,” and the video doesn’t hold back. There’s a clear narrative: this is about men who never quite got the memo on growing up. And when Sabrina posted the teaser with the caption “this one’s about you!!” While the artist didn't name any names, fabs are keeping tabs on clues as to who it's addressing, and they didn't need an official statement to start guessing.

Whether or not every reference is about her ex Keoghan, “Manchild” taps into something broader. It’s a smart, snarky ode to the women who’ve done the emotional labor, cleaned up the mess, and somehow still found themselves asking, "how do they survive like this?"