Apostasy

Jehovah's Witnesses is one of the most famous sects in the world, yet it doesn't get anywhere near as much exposure as Scientology. This is probably one of the best faith based movies I've ever seen, mostly because it deals with the emotional and moral consequences the things you are taught to believe can have on those you love in a very realistic way. The acting is natural and none of the performers feel like people acting for a movie. It was like getting into the look of a real family and their hardships. As for how Jehovah's Witnesses members themselves are portrayed, the point is not to show them as evil. It's more of a cautionary stance, on whether it's worth jeopardizing your children's lives because of your conviction to follow one certain ideology. The controversy about Jehovah's Witnesses is that you are not allowed to give or receive blood, even in life-threatening circumstances. The mother in this movie is not an inherently bad person, she just can't find a way to balance her love for God and the love for her children. And that has consequences she might wish she would never had to deal with.

This movie will stay with you after you've watched it. I urge those who not only are interested in the subject matter of organized sects to see it, but those who think a lot about beliefs and how they can affect other people in general.

Really interesting to see all the reviews here from ex-JW's, and to read how truthful the film is, which I might have questioned. I'd always thought of the religion as fairly benign if a bit silly, with the jokes about irritating botherers knocking on doors at unwanted times part of the cultural fabric of modern Britain. Seeing this has opened my eyes. It made me angry. Hats off to the director and the actors as it is wonderfully well played, very understated, and entirely convincing. I was glued to it, gradually becoming more and more furious that this organisation exists and is supported by anyone at all. I'm not much of a fan of organised religion as a whole but one that runs on threat and exclusion is entirely abhorrent. Bravo to everyone involved. More non-JW people should see this.

Apostasy. Fictional yet all too real film about the jehovah's witnesses, as based on the memories of the writer / director who had himself been disfellowshipped from the religion. Brought back memories of how close my siblings and I had been brought up as witnesses like my mum's sisters and offspring. Fortunately dad insisted we were brought up Catholic........ and mum didn't fall under the Witnesses' spell, unlike my aunties (who were in the religion for many years before seeing the hypocrisy of it all for themselves). Also brought back memories of how people can be brainwashed by the 'elders' into banishing their family in the name of the 'truth'. A superbly acted and poignant 7 out of ten.

This is a realistic portrayal of the insulated life of a Jehovah Witness and the control they live under. The pain of isolation from family and community when one no longer wishes to be known as one of them. This is the reality for the thousands of Witnesses who have left. An eye opener for anyone who is curious about knowing more about Jehovah's Witnesses. The person you see at the cart or knocking at your door carries a heavy burden.

First let me say, if you have no experience as a Jehovah's witness this might be a bit odd and confusing. As someone who was raised in this religion and later disfellowshiped (like the girl in the movie) I can say this movie is extremely accurate and heart breaking. The terminology used, the manorisms and interaction between those in the religion and outside is eerily familiar. The boredom, the magical thinking, paranoia and other hallmarks of daily life I experienced growing up are incredibly believably rendered in Apostasy. I must give credit to the actors for portraying so well members of such an insular religion, not an easy task for those with no experience with it.

Again, I'm not sure I can recommend this movie for those without some JW context, but if you want to understand life inside this religion this is a pretty good way to do it.