X
  • 2016
  • Not Rated
  • Honey Releasing
  • 1 h 40 m
  • 2016
  • Not Rated
  • Honey Releasing
  • 1 h 40 m

Summary In 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 ...

Directed By: Will Allen

  • 2016
  • Not Rated
  • Honey Releasing
  • 1 h 40 m
  • 2016
  • Not Rated
  • Honey Releasing
  • 1 h 40 m

Holy Hell

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 15 Critic Reviews
64
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 6 User Ratings
6.7
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary In 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 ...

Directed By: Will Allen

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 15 Critic Reviews
64
67% Positive
10 Reviews
20% Mixed
3 Reviews
13% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 15 Critic Reviews
64
67% Positive
10 Reviews
20% Mixed
3 Reviews
13% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
Mar 3, 2016
Holy Hell ropes us in with tales of delusion before chilling us with tales of terror.
By Justin Gerber FULL REVIEW
83
Jun 1, 2016
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.
By Katie Walsh FULL REVIEW
70
May 26, 2016
Mr. Allen has made an engrossing and tense documentary, though his insider knowledge is sometimes a hindrance.
By Ken Jaworowski FULL REVIEW
70
May 26, 2016
Holy Hell — despite its unprecedented access — finds itself oscillating back and forth between mediocrity and illumination.
By Sam Fragoso FULL REVIEW
67
May 25, 2016
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.”
By Marc Savlov FULL REVIEW
42
Mar 3, 2016
Despite its worthy plot and the wealth of great footage with which it had to work, Holy Hell is a mess.
By Daniel Schindel FULL REVIEW
38
May 20, 2016
It hopes to jolt audiences with OMGs instead of edifying them about the empty lure of Buddhafield's cult mentality.
By Clayton Dillard FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 6 User Ratings
6.7
67% Positive
4 Ratings
17% Mixed
1 Rating
17% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 6 User Ratings
6.7
67% Positive
4 Ratings
17% Mixed
1 Rating
17% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company WRA Productions, Very Special Projects, Whitewater Films, CNN Films
Release Date May 27, 2016
Duration 1 h 40 m
Rating Not Rated
Genres
Website http://www.holyhellthedocumentary.com/
View All Details

Awards

Critics' Choice Documentary Awards
• 2 Nominations
Sundance Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
Nashville Film Festival
• 1 Nomination

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