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In 2014, Louis Theroux, an English documentary filmmaker and broadcaster, sent out a simple, inquiring tweet. “Open call to any #Scientologists out there,” he wrote. “I would love to speak to you for a documentary I am working on. About Scientology.” Within minutes, he was bombarded with a slew of messages warning him against making a film about the Church, as he may put himself in danger in the process. Because the Church of Scientology has long held a reputation for threatening anyone who gets too close, many filmmakers shy away from the subject. Theroux, however, did not, and because of his relentless insistence to make his film, we have My Scientology Movie – and it’s now streaming on Netflix.
If you’re anticipating something in the same family as Going Clear, you should adjust your expectations now. Theroux’s film is not nearly as dramatic. My Scientology Movie begins in a similar, basic documentary structure – with clips of the eerily enthusiastic David Miscavige giving speeches at Scientology galas and such – but when Theroux realizes gaining access to inside the Church is going to be harder than he thought, he takes matters into his own hands. With the help of faces that may be familiar to you if you’ve consumed any of the other Scientology flicks or books out there, Theroux casts actors to perform reenactments of the most horrifying stories that have come out of the Church.
Ex-members like Marty Rathbun, Tom DeVocht, and Jeff Hawkins all recall the most terrible happenings that they witnessed (or took part in) while involved in the Church, and at times, it’s harrowing. Rathbun is clearly plagued with remorse about what he’s done, and his testimony aids heavily in the scenes played out by the actors cast as Scientology higher-ups.
While the premise may sound a little goofy, the employment of actors to play these people – particularly the young man who takes on the crazy-eyed David Miscavige – is totally effective and uniquely terrifying. Theroux boasts a unique charisma and deadpan delivery that makes even the most scary situations more cringingly uncomfortable than anything – he doesn’t seem to have any fear when he stands up to Church members attempting to intimidate him.
There’s nothing entirely revolutionary about My Scientology Movie, but if you have even a slight interest in immersing yourself in the consistently controversial Church and the scandals that plague it, you will most certainly enjoy yourself.
