PrimeWire

This was an intensely terse, bitter film, but definitely worth the watch if you are interested in the experiences of many Jehovah’s Witnesses. I had a JW classmate once and felt so sad seeing him have to leave to sit in the hall quietly while everyone else got a cupcake for another kid’s birthday. He rarely spoke although he was very nice, but it just seemed that he was withdrawn and scared. I remember it being explained to me that just as I had the right to refuse to say ‘under god’ during the pledge, he was not doing so because of his religion. I’m detailing this because I always wondered what his homelife was like—- his parents had very strict rules, and they had an odd manner of dressing (JW look much more average now). This film gives a lot of insight that many JW’s apparently can relate to, and with careful, poised performances from all characters, it sheds light on what is a very dark, controlling cult.
If you are impatient, or not curious about unusual religions, you might find this boring. However, each character is extremely realistic. One notable scene features the two sisters ‘pioneering’ (going door-to-door) and attempting to promote the Watchtower in broken Urdu to a somewhat annoyed-looking man. You really feel the intense discomfort on behalf of both the sisters and the “potential” convert. Several scenes demonstrate the immense pressure put on the girls and their mother to just simply never ask questions and do as they’re told.

Siobhan Fennern delivers a powerful performance as the mother. She finds herself in an absolutely stifling predicament— her older daughter has not only taken an interest in higher education (!) but has also fallen pregnant by a man who is neither a JW or interested in becoming one. Elders demand she shun her daughter until they deem otherwise, placing many ridiculous restrictions on their relationship that they seem to make up simply as they go along (while claiming it to be “under the direction of Jehovah”).

While perhaps this may not be the experience of every JW, many comments can be found from ex-members who strongly relate to this film. This is a deep look into how a high-pressure religious community permeates and warps every aspect of a person’s life, and the devastating effects shunning (“disfellowshipping”) can have on a family.

At first, I was a little confused by the seemingly abruptness of the ending, but upon thinking about it before writing this review I think that it was quite searing and appropriate.

Definitely a quality drama, this could’ve been an amazing miniseries, but does well as a stand-alone film.