My Scientology Movie (2015)

October 14, 2016 1:33 PM

“Following a long fascination with the religion and with much experience in dealing with eccentric, unpalatable and unexpected human behavior, the beguilingly unassuming Theroux won't take no for an answer when his request to enter the Church's headquarters is turned down. Inspired by the Church's use of filming techniques, and aided by ex-members of the organization, Theroux uses actors to replay some incidents people claim they experienced as members in an attempt to better understand the way it operates. In a bizarre twist, it becomes clear that the Church is also making a film about Louis Theroux. Suffused with a good dose of humor and moments worthy of a Hollywood script, MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE is stranger than fiction.”
posted by Fizz (5 comments total)

+1 for the music from Terry Gilliam's Brazil.

I want to see this so badly--Theroux is so great when he deals with absurdity and malice together (eg his doc about white supremacists).
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 9:00 AM on October 15, 2016

I enjoyed it quite a bit more than Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief. I liked it more because Louis Theroux finds a way to draw out the absurdity of this so called "religion". It's definitely worth finding and viewing.
posted by Fizz at 6:40 PM on October 15, 2016

Also, that Theroux's documentary utilizes local actors to act out and the behind the scenes stories of what went on in the various levels of the Scientology hierarchy is also one of the more fascinating parts of this film. It makes the film feel even more bizarre and weird and yet it works so well for the subject.
posted by Fizz at 6:52 PM on October 15, 2016 [1 favorite]

Does anyone know where someone in the US can watch this?
posted by fiercecupcake at 6:00 PM on May 9, 2017

It's now on Netflix in the US.
posted by Gary at 8:37 PM on August 4, 2017 [1 favorite]