pnkstr An interesting documentary worth viewing. Seeing how ordinary people can be caught up in the web of a cult without ever realising what was truly going on. Rather a unique view from people who joined at the begining, their life inside and ultimately how they were able to break away and leave.

fastfred-94220 Holy Hell is an outstanding documentary. As a seasoned movie lover, it takes a really well-made, original, and interesting film to inspire me to leave a review. Anyone who enjoys religious documentaries and the like will love this one. Most can probably overlook this, but there are times where it may make some viewers feel a bit effeminate watching it because of all of the gay / feminine members of the community, but only because you are able to connect with them. Other than that, amazing. Really enjoyable, watched it a bunch of times. Well done, Will.

LipjamUK I have amended my review since first watching. I have increased my rating from two stars because I have discovered that this story is true and it has stayed with me and for those reasons I consider it worth a five. We all make mistakes because that is what being human is all about Some are more embarrassing than others but we must take responsibility for our own actions as adults. I mean if you are going to follow an odd looking guy who's standard dress is Speedo swimwear; who used to be a ballet dancer but now claims he's God and then, 22 years later, suddenly discover that he was weird. Like: "Who could have known?" Can you be surprised if others ask if you're kidding? This sense of incredulity compelled me to find out more. Having done some research I do now believe it is, sadly, genuine. As a documentary it is supposed to make one feel uncomfortable but this did not feel like a documentary. It was more like a mockumentary. I was not always convinced. At times it just felt like I was watching actors berate their fellows. It had a voyeuristic feel to it and that is the nature of all good cinema, hence part of my struggle to connect to the story as anything but a piece of fiction. It also relied too much on hearsay. It was borderline gossip, hence its compelling appeal.As a piece of entertainment it is definitely watchable. It does get a little prerdictable at times. However, the story carries one along, more or less. The cult leader is, in short, a diva and as such has a certain fascination. The cult could be likened to his fantasy production company and the members his supporting cast. To me the whole ensemble is just a little too dramatic for my tastes but I do not live in Hollywoodland and so to each their own and probably why I find it difficult to relate.The reveal towards the end is not unexpected and no where near as shocking as I believe the makers probably expected it to be. As for the claim that all the negative reviews are coming from cult members the contrary could equally be true. So all the positives could be coming from friends and family of the makers. There is no easy way to know. So this kind of claim is less than helpful to the casual reader. People come here to see if it's worth their time to watch it. So just review the work as you see it, avoid the speculative supposition and let others decide for themselves whether the reviews are genuine or not. For me it was a little bizarre and felt a little like an episode of Fantasy Island gone wrong.

maryhbutler Holy Hell is a documentary made and produced by Will Allen, focusing on the "Buddhafield" cult in Hollywood, and his experiences of being a member of the Buddhafield for 22 years. The film school graduate compiles a plethora of funny, serious, and chilling shots from his time in the cult. It follows the members of the cult, and their leader, who was called "Michel" for most of the film. The film uncovers the secrets and stories of the members, horrified from their past in the cult and its leader.The film opens up with Mr. Allen speaking about his childhood, and his mother not accepting his homosexuality. It then jumps to footage he took from the beginning of the cult, with members dancing and floating in a river. I was confused on this quick transition, because it clashed with the topic of his homosexuality or his mother. The clips of the dancing post-hippies in the beginning of the film was very intriguing, and was the reason I continued with this documentary. He shows more images and videos of Michel, the leader of this group, and the clips immediately grab my attention. The narration and images of the exotic and eclectic leader in the beginning of the film quickly foreshadowed the secrets uncovered later in the film. His persona was god-like, prancing in his speedo and polarized sunglasses, with his followers kissing his ankles, literally. The personal shots given by Allen, from his small 80's camera, are invigorating and interesting. The footage invites viewers to picture themselves inside the cult, and what it was like through their daily routines. The film cultivates a hippy-ish vibe and creates a feeling of freedom As Will shows past members, and their recorded interviews, the pain in their eyes stands out. They become scared and upset when they begin to reminisce and talk about their past in the Buddhafield. The members share similar stories throughout the documentary, insuring the validity of the information given by the members. Topics such as sex, abortion, drugs, and abuse begin to stir, and we see the true colors of Michel. Other 'serene groups' begin to be shut down around California, so Michel decides it's time to pack up and move to Texas. His devoted followers, of course, follow him. We see how the group gets accustomed to their new house and environment. We also see how Michel, who is now Andreas, moves from a spiritual leader to a controlling narcissist. This film jerks emotions, and could dig deeply into viewers' similar past experiences. We can feel Allen's pain listening and watching the footage from the last few years of the Buddhafield. This film was enjoyable and informative. It showed emotions and memories that are rarely touched, and made me, as a viewer, feel emotional along with the interviewees. I recommend this film for an audience who enjoys learning about cults and their practices, or just simply because it's an aesthetically pleasing, emotional film.