My Scientology Movie (2015)

Louis Theroux documents his investigation into what goes on behind the scenes of the infamous Church of Scientology.

Director:

John Dower

Writers:

John Dower, Louis Theroux

Stars:

Louis Theroux, Rob Alter, Tom Cruise

3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Louis Theroux	...	Himself - Presenter
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rob Alter	...	Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise	...	Himself (archive footage)
Paz de la Huerta	...	Herself
Tom De Vocht	...	Himself - Sea Org., 1974-2005
Catherine Fraser	...	Herself
Jefferson Hawkins	...	Himself - Sea Org., 1967-2005 (as Jeff Hawkins)
Marc Headley	...	Himself - Sea Org., 1990-2005
Steven Mango	...	Himself - Scientologist, 2009-2012 (as Steve Mango)
David Miscavige	...	Himself (archive footage)
Andrew Perez	...	David Miscavige
Marty Rathbun	...	Himself - Former Inspector General, Church of Scientology

Storyline

Louis Theroux documents his investigation into what goes on behind the scenes of the infamous Church of Scientology.

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Plot Keywords:

scientology | religious cult | ex scientologist | being followed | actor | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Meu Filme de Cientologia

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,433, 17 March 2017, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$22,450, 7 April 2017

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films, Red Box Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Off-camera, Paz took the Crew to a séance trying to contact Janis Joplin, who died in the same Motel. [Special Feature, possibly]

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Quotes

Louis Theroux: [Q&A] Marty Rathburn called me "a rimless zero". I suppose that's even less than zero because without the rim it's just the nothingness in the middle.
Adam Buxton: It sounds vaguely obscene, doesn't it? "Look at my rimless zero!" Ahem!

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Soundtracks

Tannhäuser Overture
Composed by Richard Wagner (as Wilhelm Richard Wagner)
Performed by BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Conducted by Dan Jones

User Reviews

engaging, interesting and funny, but audiences who will see right through the artifice of its constructions

The word 'documentary' conveys both the gravitas of truth and the aspiration of a social purpose beyond mere entertainment. So when you see that label on Louis Theroux's My Scientology Movie (2016) you have a right to expect a serious attempt to provide new information about this well- known fringe cult. In reality, however, it is more of a docu-drama comedy that satirises a paranoid organisation by filming its response to Theroux's probing of its dark affairs.

Documentaries are not meant to have pre-conceived plot lines because the good ones are exploratory whereas directors want certainty. So when Theroux is blocked from information about one of the most guarded cults on the planet he simply invents a dramatisation of what access might reveal if it in fact actually occurred. Much of the film is about auditioning for actors to play the cult's arch-demon David Miscavige and celebrity high-priest Tom Cruise. The roles are filled and rehearsals take place under the watchful eye of subversive defector and former Scientology big-wig Mark Rathbun. The film remediates archival footage of Scientology recruitment videos and the rest is classic Michael Moore-style filmmaker provocation. Theroux is the star of his show and he exploits his freedom to say and do what he pleases provided it can be presented as evidence to support his premise, which is that the organisation behind Scientology actively discourages prying eyes. Inordinate attention is drawn to a section of razor wire fence around its compound that has cameras and lights triggered by movement on either side to prove the organisation has something to hide. Yes, Louis, we know.

While it is engaging, interesting and funny, this film miscalculates the sophistication of audiences who will see right through the artifice of its constructions. That does not mean that the film is a failure. It is a genuinely satirical exposé of ridiculously heavy-footed Scientology operatives attempting to intimidate and film the Theroux crew who in turn are filming them. While two cameras pointing at each other is good for a laugh, any claim to serious documentary status is disingenuous. On the other hand, humour and ridicule is a strong weapon for dealing with organisations that have form in the use of terror tactics over their members. In the age of transparency and accountability Scientology will need to get used to its intemperate responses being on the public record, and to that extent only, Theroux's film makes a worthwhile contribution.