- 2016
- CNN Films
- 1 h 40 m
SummaryIn 1985, recent film school graduate Will Allen became a member of The Buddhafield, a Los Angeles area spiritual group. Also acting as the group’s official videographer, he began to document their activities, which centered on the mysterious leader they called Michel, or The Teacher. Over time, the group’s dark side began to surface as total dev...
Directed By:Will Allen
Holy Hell
Metascore
Generally Favorable
64
User score
Generally Favorable
6.9
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
64
67% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
20% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
13% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Mar 3, 2016
100
Holy Hell ropes us in with tales of delusion before chilling us with tales of terror.
Jun 1, 2016
83
While Holy Hell only offers answers about this particular group and the experiences of these individuals, it’s a riveting piece of work, a look into a tightly-controlled and private world of brainwashing, abuse and exploitation in the name of spiritual fulfillment.
May 26, 2016
70
Mr. Allen has made an engrossing and tense documentary, though his insider knowledge is sometimes a hindrance.
May 26, 2016
70
Holy Hell — despite its unprecedented access — finds itself oscillating back and forth between mediocrity and illumination.
May 25, 2016
67
Allen’s film is as much a self-reckoning as it is a cautionary tale for other spiritual seekers, and as such it offers invaluable insights into how cults – and especially cults of personality – function and grow. “Namaste,” for the record, is also an anagram for “Me Satan.”
Mar 3, 2016
42
Despite its worthy plot and the wealth of great footage with which it had to work, Holy Hell is a mess.
May 20, 2016
38
It hopes to jolt audiences with OMGs instead of edifying them about the empty lure of Buddhafield's cult mentality.
User score
Generally Favorable
6.9
71% Positive
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
14% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
14% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Sep 14, 2016
7
This is a pretty amazing story. Of course it's frightening that ordinary people we're seduced by this cult so deeply for so long. I guess the scariest part is the notion that none of us are immune to being persuaded, if not hypnotized, on the way to fulfill our desires. The story is narrated along the way by surviving cult members who gradually reveal their deep-seated pain and heartbreaking mental scars. The film is thorough and done with care. I just kind of felt it trailed off and there was no real resolution.
Report
Production Company:
- WRA Productions
- Very Special Projects
- Whitewater Films
- CNN Films
Release Date:May 27, 2016
Duration:1 h 40 m
Genres:
Website:
Awards
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards
• 2 Nominations
Sundance Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
Nashville Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
