Must we properly define a “simp”? For those (lucky enough?) not to be present in the online spaces where this is common parlance, it refers to someone who provides excessive flattery to an object of their affection or romantic pursuit, with little or no reciprocation. Somewhere more benign on this internet slang spectrum than the dreaded “incel,” a simp is certainly not a threat or major nuisance to the “simp-ed,” and pity in addition to cautious appreciation is the typical reaction from observers. Unique to the concept, simping is abundant publicly as well as within private interactions: click the replies below a cult-ish celebrity’s tweet, and my, you’ll see simping.

Formalist festival documentary has a new superstar and his username is “Cleaning Simp Paul.” Dénis Côté, the prolific auteur behind “Paul,” has spoken genuinely of his subject’s intelligence and relative self-awareness; from this, we can see Paul...