Louis did a pretty good job for showing Marty for what he is. Marty left the cult because he was pissed with the lack of respect getting tossed in 'hole' entailed, not for any moral impulses. It should be no surprise Marty is back in the cult, or at least getting paid to attack the truth tellers like yourself now. I enjoyed your takes on this doc, thank you.

You are incredibly fair to Marty considering how he has treated you. Bravo!

You should probably watch the Steve Mango bit again - it does seem like some people were confused over this, but Louie was getting him to role play, hence the "do I look brainwashed to you?" bit - I was at a screening the UK where there was a live Q&Q afterwards, and someone asked Louie about this, and Louie cleared it up also, and it was how I interpreted it. I was surprised people were confused by this part, but it seems they were. Good review though, with some excellent analysis. I enjoyed it, but it definitely could have been better. I personally came away from it feeling as though Marty missed Scientology somewhat - in it he was "the man"; he had power. In the real world he's a "nobody" that's ridden the "ex-Scientologist" gravy train for a while, but that people are now fast losing interest in.

TY! Been waiting for this a few months! Love it!

Louis has his own style of documentary making. Traditionally, the film is not the most informative piece on the subject, but he comes across so darn likeable, thus shining even more of a light on how irrational Fair Game tactics are. I agree that he was overly obsessed with Marty, which I feel blurred his view on the bigger picture.

I found the movie really distressing, and actually got scared during re-enactments AND felt Marty was not treated well. I have been watching a lot of stuff on CoS, and this treatment of members and especially Sea Org happens over YEARS not months so by all accounts by the time you are doing this you are well down the rabbit hole. I found Marty’s comment on others who wear explosive etc so insightful.

On Rathbun Smiling on the set during questionable portrayals: I agreed with the latter part of your assessment, he was probably satisfied at the way things were going. Besides, some people show different emotions... as a way of separating themselves from the psychologically distressing moment in their lives. Reliving a bad experience with a smile is just one coping mechanism.

I was REALLY looking forward to this movie because I love Theroux’s stuff AND I love watching documentaries about that kooky religion, but it fell short for me. The whole “getting actors to reenact stuff Miscavige did” seemed kind of half baked to me, like an afterthought once he figured out no real Scientologist would dare speak to him.

One of the worst side-effects of Theroux's film is that it might have contributed to Marty Rathbun turning around trying to get back into the "good graces" of Scientology.

Wow, didn't think I'd see a review from the perspective of an ex - scientologist! This is a really interesting take and video, thanks for posting.

Really appreciated this review. Thanks so much. It seems that Marty has returned to Scientology? If that is so, it would make a lot of his reactions understandable...?

Good to get your views on this film Chris, I found it quite enjoyable albeit with a few flaws and as you say, missed opportunities. There is a good radio interview with Joe Rogan and Louie Theroux on youtube which I listened to last night where they go into more detail about the movie and talk about Ron L Hubbard, well worth listening to.

Thank you Chris.. The guy that portrayed Miscavige, did awesome

I don't like rathbun either Chris. I don't think anybody does

I love that shirt!

I think your review nailed it and brought up pretty much all of my misgivings about the documentary.

I appreciate your take on the movie. It is ironic that so many folks--yourself included, of course--have commented so much on a movie that has been largely unavailable in the US to the rest of us. By the time we get to see it, it'll feel like we've already seen it. Deja Theroux all over again...

I had much the same reaction you did and found the film disappointing. Very illuminating review. Thanks.

I just had watched the film when I found your review... Great points and more than fair review... I think you should be making your own!!! Maybe a sequel to Going Clear!!

For better or for worse,Louis is committed to a very specific style of "participatory journalism" (think Tom Wolfe or Hunter S Thompson). At times, that went a bit off the rails such as with incessant trips to Gold to argue over road access, and with overly generous helpings of person A filming person B filming person A in the act of filming... While I will admit that this is indeed eye-opening to the person hearing about the cult for the first time, initiates into scientology watching would find this insane behavior utterly predictable.