Pluskylang Great Film overall

Beanbioca As Good As It Gets

Onlinewsma Absolutely Brilliant!

Jenni Devyn Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

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.

MartinHafer "Holy Hell" is a documentary about a very small cult led by a man named Michel. The man who made the film happened to be the videographer for the group...and so he had a huge cache of footage that he could use to make this film. It's his personal journey as well as a history of the group during the years when he was a member.Using hypnotic techniques and a charming personality, Michel amassed a group of about 200 followers. However, over time, it became obvious that Michel was not quite the man he said he was and ultimately many within the group left...disillusioned and angry. I could say more but don't want to spoil the film.While this is a small cult, it is unusual because of all the video footage and that makes for a very compelling and interesting film. It's currently available streaming from Netflix and is well made and worth your time.UPDATE: I watched the film again. This time I found I got a bit more out of it and am updating my score to 9, as it's a GREAT general film about cults and would be great for families or friends struggling with losing people to these groups.

Nemesis42 It's obvious that some of the people reviewing on here are defending the cult leader. If this is a real documentary, then we are dealing with a very sick individual regarding this 'leader'.You should watch this to become aware of the dangers of getting trapped within a movement like this.The documentary is well made. The filmmaker became close to the cult leader, so we are left with a lot of footage from within the group.A must watch. It is good to know that at least one more dangerous destructive narcissist has been found out. The way he manipulates people is despicable. Evil would be a good word to describe this guy.It seems that this guy is still duping and molesting followers right now. Be aware and beware.

brooks320-800-703355 I thought this was a fascinating and well-crafted documentary. The intimate, meticulous footage detailing the life and psyche of a cult leader is very interesting yet disturbing. While the leader is very much a sociopath who uses people as fuel for his massive ego, I have to wonder how much I consider his followers to be victims. I'm not saying that I can't understand how they were conned, but when it comes to major issues like having abortions, something that clearly was against one member's personal belief system, why couldn't she see the light and vanish from the premises if it meant the life of her child on two occasions? These followers are educated adults, many from privileged backgrounds so how can all reasoning skills be dismissed when it comes to Michel/Andreas? He is the definition of a creepy/sexual opportunist from the get-go with his soulless shark eyes, make-up, oiled body and unexplained need for all followers to know every inch of his body. What about this doesn't scream narcissistic opportunist? By the end of the movie, I was left wondering how so many people could have fallen for this man's charade. I'm not victim blaming as much as honestly wondering why they didn't band together for a mass exodus.Also, where did the money come from? The travel expenses from California to Texas are one thing, but who had the couple of mill lying around to build the elaborate dance theater? While it is understood that Michel/Andreas was the son a wealthy Venezuelan land owner, I don't get any idea if that played into the group's obvious wealth or not.The end was somewhat dissatisfying as there is no true confrontation of Michel/Andreas/Reyji. The former follower who spoke to him on the beach in Hawaii seemed to still be under his spell and there is no resolution, just video evidence that yet again, this person has been able to maintain followers.For anyone who's fascinated by cults, this is a must watch. The voyeurism into 20 years in the life of an unrepentant narcissist alone are worth the nagging questions about adult consent and reason.