Our take
The question mark in the title represents the central idea of this fascinating documentary: what if worshipping Satan is the only way of ensuring religious freedom for everyone?
That’s what a group of young members known as The Satanic Temple believe, led by a determined and well-spoken Harvard graduate. They embark on a journey across the U.S. to challenge corrupt officials and the prevalence of religious biases in government agencies. They always request that their belief system (Satanism) is given the same favorable treatment as Christianity, effectively proving that authorities will really only accept a show of religion if it’s one religion: Christianity.
But their intoxicating energy comes with costs: divisions within the organization and growing pains. This documentary perfectly illustrates not only a misunderstood religion (in the documentary it’s referred to as “post-religion”) but the difficulties of establishing grassroots movements in general.
What it won
Sundance
1 nom
The story
The story of The Satanic Temple, a controversial movement that combines religion and activism with the apparent purpose of questioning the basic foundations of US society.
Elsewhere
"It's assured and enlightening filmmaking, if not all that surprising, and maybe too cute by half with some of its formal choices."
— Kambole Campbell
"Lane's film asks us: Is this not only what democracy looks like, but what religion looks like?"
— Emily Yoshida
The details
Streaming arrival
Who picked it
Bilal Zouheir is the founder of A Good Movie to Watch. He is based in the US and a member of the Nevada Film Critics Society. He grew up in Morocco, where he learned English from watching movies. Bilal's work with A Good Movie to Watch is focused on offering an alternative to streaming algorithms, which are often used as commercial tools by streaming services.
If you don’t see Satanism as a clear statement on religious hypocrisy, then you’re probably one of the hypocrites.
Disgusting and a blasphemy to God!! This is the most disturbing movie in mankind history!!
If this isn’t meant as a joke then lame af.
Don’t watch Salo then
Really? Have you never seen a gore terror movie? And actually, all religions should be permitted as long as they don’t imply illegal acts. Satanism is a religion as any other, it’s not like they kill inocents. I’ve never understood that aversion peple have to satanics.
Agreed
Get a grip man
Now I’ve definitely got to watch it!
Look at these losers.
Hail Satan