EPISODE 1.1
The Kingdom
A deadly plane crash draws public attention to the Remnant
... More Fellowship, a Christian-diet-program-turned-church, and its infamous leader, Gwen Shamblin Lara.LessHBO docuseries from Emmy-winning director Marina Zenovich (Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired) depicting Christian weight-loss guru Gwen Shamblin Lara's rise to attain cult-like power over her followers.
After rising to fame with her Weigh Down Workshop, a Christian-based diet program that preached slenderness as next to godliness, Gwen Shamblin Lara founded the Tennessee-based church. Despite a carefully curated image, Lara and the church soon fielded accusations of emotional, psychological, and physical abuse, and exploitation for their alleged cult-like practices. Encompassing years of investigation and extensive interviews with former members and others personally impacted, The Way Down explores the legacy of Remnant’s infamous leader–whose life came to a shocking end after a plane crash in May 2021.
LessZenovich structures her three-part documentary... like Dante's visit to the circles of hell; the deeper we wade in, the more grotesque the cruelties.
Full reviewThe Way Down is one part fascinating study of the human condition to one part guilty pleasure.
Full reviewAn undoubtedly upsetting tale, but it's almost undermined by the insistence on frequent breaks to dial up the tension.
Full reviewThe Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin is available to stream in New Zealand now on Neon.
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