Pray Away (2021)
Documentary
Stream itif you want an empathetic, sobering exploration of the lasting psychological trauma caused by religious conversion movements.
A somber and empathetic look at the damage caused by conversion therapy, told through the perspectives of those who once championed it. It is a quiet, thoughtful, and ultimately heartbreaking piece of social commentary for viewers who want to engage with complex moral questions.
What Pray Away is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this film feels like a heavy, contemplative exercise in accountability. The pace is steady and deliberate, eschewing sensationalism for a somber, reflective atmosphere. It balances archive footage of past zeal with modern-day interviews that are thick with regret. The intensity is quiet rather than frantic, building a cumulative emotional weight through personal testimonies and the stark contrast between the leaders' public confidence and their private suffering.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is essential viewing for those interested in social justice, religious psychology, or LGBTQ+ history. However, viewers who find themes of self-loathing or institutional harm distressing may find it difficult to sit through. A necessary caveat is that the documentary is deeply upsetting; it does not shy away from the psychological scars left on its subjects. It is not for those seeking light entertainment, as it remains rooted in intimate, painful dialogue.
The right evening for it
It suits a quiet evening dedicated to serious reflection or a post-viewing discussion. It is best watched when you have the mental space to process a narrative of profound regret and systemic failure.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
If you like this, try
For the Bible Tells Me So (2007)
the same exploration of the conflict between evangelical doctrine and queer identity
Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)
the same investigation into the systemic damage caused by religious institutions
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What it is about
In the 1970s, five men struggling with being gay in their Evangelical church started a bible study to help each other leave the "homosexual lifestyle." They quickly received over 25,000 letters from people asking for help and formalized as Exodus International, the largest and most controversial conversion therapy organization in the world. But leaders struggled with a secret: their own “same-sex attractions” never went away. After years as Christian superstars in the religious right, many of these men and women have come out as LGBTQ, disavowing the very movement they helped start. Focusing on the dramatic journeys of former conversion therapy leaders, current members, and a survivor, PRAY AWAY chronicles the “ex gay" movement’s rise to power, persistent influence, and the profound harm it causes.
Trailer
More clips
Clip · PRAY AWAY Sneak Peek: Julie Rodgers
Stills
Images from TMDB.
Questions people ask
- Is Pray Away a authentic documentary?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Authentic. A somber and empathetic look at the damage caused by conversion therapy, told through the perspectives of those who once championed it. It is a quiet, thoughtful, and ultimately heartbreaking piece of social commentary for viewers who want to engage with complex moral questions.
- How long is Pray Away?
- Pray Away runs 101 min and was released in 2021.
- Is Pray Away worth watching?
- Stream it: if you want an empathetic, sobering exploration of the lasting psychological trauma caused by religious conversion movements. TMDB users rate it 6.7 out of 10 from 107 votes.
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