Pray Away

Love the subject matter, think it is incredibly important. This documentary felt so slow. I unfortunately was bored (probably because the conversion nuts are hard a chore to listen to) and almost cut it off multiple times. Worth the watch if you need a background doc, but I recommend reading up on conversion and its horrors to get a better picture.

I was expecting many stories from those who had to experience "conversion therapy" and what they went through. This played more like buyer's remorse from "ex-ex gays", with some random storyline thrown in about a maybe former Trans person who hosts parades for ex trans people...or something (I do not understand why that was thrown in here. It played out like filler.)

Conversion therapy stories are important to tell, but the way this was presented did not capture the damage that's done when this whole "pray it away" philosophy is crammed down people's throats and forced upon the young. I'd say watch it just so you know this was and still is a thing. But it's not giving the whole story.

The documentary was less about conversion therapy and more of a "where are they now" for truly awful people. I felt that only one or two of them even began to grasp the reality of the damage they've done and it's going to take much more than a "My bad. By the way, meet my new life partner. We're so happy!" to make me forgive them. I'm not saying that they're beyond forgiveness but it's going to take much more time and action from each of them to even start to repair the horrible things they've done and this movie doesn't even begin to accomplish that. These former cult leaders only wanted attention and fame in the first place and that's why they sold-out their entire community; now we put the spotlight back on them so they can give a half-assed apology? My own parents still quote their lies about "lifestyle" and "choice" to this day.

Also, showing the current Exodus replacement was confusing. Yes, we know there are awful people out there but why are we giving them even more attention?! If they focused instead on the people that have escaped these cults and how they've thrived in spite of the trauma they experienced then there might have been more of a point to this film. But instead the filmmakers seemed to want to offer "equal time" to the proven false and hateful practice of conversion therapy.

I feel like this documentary is a little bit scared at times.

I feel like it's scared to fully demonise these monsters that push conversion therapy. It doesn't chastise them as much as I would have thought, which is ok I guess. It makes it more impartial but I feel also gives a message that "oh well look on both sides" when that isn't ok! There is only one side in this! These people are awful. They have caused irreparable damage to queer people!

It is easy to laugh especially in a part where a group of men gather because they are Ex-gay. These men are completely gay. It is like the most campest thing you'll ever see. But before you laugh at this like I saw people did, remember that these people have been brainwashed. They are trapped and scared to be who they are!

Please watch and listen to these peoples stories. They deserve to be heard.

This documentary, while it's good, it's so angering and gut turning that it is truly hard to watch.

It's an exercise in turning around root issues and not a single time addressing them.