User Reviews

I mean, the subject is sensational enough on it's own! As someone who was raised as a JW but woke up later in life, this is the first coverage I've seen of not just the sex abuse issues, but of the harmful emotional and psychological effects of the JW teachings, that was so impactful it literally gave me a panic attack. So ... trigger warning, fellow ex-JWs! And well done, Vice. I hope it provides some encouragement for people who may be looking for a way out, and discourage people who may be studying with them from joining in the first place. I appreciate the message that a happy, fulfilling life with positive relationships is possible outside the organization!

I've signed up for IMDB for the first time in my life because I wanted to share my love for this documentary!

I grew up in this religion and my parents forbid me to go to college because Armageddon would soon come. I was baptized when I was 15, pioneered two years from my 16th, got married when I was 23 and started to feel doubts when I was around the age of 27/28.

When I turned 30 I divorced and that pushed the reset-button in my life. All family and friends got lost in that process and I had to start all over.

I'm happy now, but I do feel the scars from my past. Many other ex jw's feel the same. It's a very cruel organization and I'm so happy I was able to escape.

For anyone still stuck in there, there is a way out and you're not alone. The whole ex-jw-family shows a lot more love as you know from the past. We don't judge and we don't try to push you into something you don't want.

Much love from the Netherlands

-x-

LJ.

Being a JW there is much we keep to ourselves. We do not tell public much in criticism about the doctrine or policies of the WT. We become outcasts if we do. Individual congregations operate in a shroud of mystery. This documentary gives non JWs a view of inside. That happy morally clean face we wear is fake for much of us. Fear of being disfellowshipped and losing family/friends relations is what keeps us quiet. We're in a mental prison. To learn more visit the ExJW forum on Reddit.

Awesome Documentary.

Well made and frighteningly accurate.

I think this documentary did a great job at explaining what the Jehovah Witness religion is all about. As an out sider I didn't know much about the JW religion and this really opened my eyes to how the organization operates. Kudos to the director and the writers!!!

I've become so immersed in documentaries on cults since leaving the jehovahs witnesses as an adult - something I had been raised in and knew nothing else - to really try to come to terms with how brainwashed I was. The abuse was so horrific but normalized. I have people tell me what "wonderful" people they are but they have no idea the evils of within the organization, the corruption, the greed, the abuse, the demoralization of yourself as an individual.

Years of therapy to try and learn how to overcome the things I've been through. I lost my mother to the cult, who died without ever knowing her grandchildren because she was forbidden to speaking to someone who left.

I am so thankful for everyone who speaks out so that more families will stay together and less children will be subjected to sexual, emotional, and physical abuse that is turned a blind eye by the leaders... or even go as far as shunning you for speaking out of being abused and hidden from authorities. You don't know it isn't okay until you get older and realize how much this organization is a cult with very evil intentions on its followers.

Anytime an ex ( fill in the blank) has a take on something, it's almost always skewed with bias , personal grievance and non objectivity. Sexual abuse is a very serious matter and misinformation or misrepresentation actually diminishes it's important rather than heightens it.