Apostasy

Having been a Jehovah’s Witness for nearly 20 years, I found this portrayal of life within the grips of the Watchtower Organization very accurate. The movie is very well done and the acting superb. Many only see the members involved in the door to door preaching work, but much more goes on inside. The movie shows the strict rules the Witnesses must live by including cruel shunning, refusing blood transfusions and pressure to avoid activities of the outside world. A must see!

Excellent movie especially for non-Jehovah Witnesses. The movie captures the essence of what its like to live as a JW and their fanaticism. I will be promoting it to my friends and begging the director to make another one.

This movie is a masterpiece. As a former Jehovah's Witness who is "disfellowshipped", watching it was incredibly intense and eventually heartbreaking. Although the storyline is highly dramatic and infuriating, the film is quiet and portrayed with a tenderness that I can't describe in words. Tremendous compassion is shown for the primary characters, who are doing what they believe God wants them to do no matter how painful and cruel it is. The depiction of life as one of Jehovah's Witnesses is also portrayed with precision, down to the specific words and phrases a JW uses. Their lives are played out not in the joys of the moment, but in the promise of everlasting life after this evil world is destroyed. The promise of a great reward for all of the present pain and suffering. The result is a disconnect and derision of the outside "world" and a disconnect from family members who do not share this same belief. One is forced to shun a son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, father; anyone who is expelled or chooses to leave the cult. As expected, the result is indescribable pain for all involved. This pain is played out exquisitely. I found myself crying uncontrollably several times during the movie. The acting is superb. As powerful as the story is, it would be nothing without the depth and authenticity the actors bring to it. Watching it I had to remind myself that these were not actual Jehovah's Witnesses because they all executed their roles so convincingly. For anyone familiar with Jehovah's Witnesses this is a must-see. For anyone not familar with Jehovah's Witnesses this is a must-see.

This movie was identical to what happens actually happens in real life in the religion. Great movie to get the message out about how damaging I‎t can be to families involved.

As a former elder in the JW cult for 18 years and someone who is shunned by my entire family for quitting the group, I was stunned by the accuracy and genuine nature of this film. It addresses the pain, family hardship and false hopes of this "end of days" fringe religion. It portrays Jehovah's Witnesses refusal of blood transfusions, shunning and the disintegration of families with compassion for the victims and a deep understanding of those stuck in the cult because of generations of brain washing and propaganda. For those curious about this group and its innerworkings, I enthusiastically recommend this film. What is even more impressive is that no members of the organization can refute one sentence or scene of this movie. This film is Jehovah's Witnesses.