Pray Away

Name: Pray Away
Genre: Documentary
Released: August 3, 2021
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 76

2021

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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6.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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Pray Away

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Movie Details & Credits

Netflix | Release Date: August 3, 2021 | PG-13

Summary: 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.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.… Expand

Director: Kristine Stolakis

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 101 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

The Playlist Jonathan Christian

Aug 10, 2021

At its core, Pray Away is a chronicle of pain. It is a candid, unceremonious study of people who have struggled for years with discovering who they are and who God is; and, perhaps most importantly, it is an exploration in the lasting damage caused by misinterpreting Biblical teachings and misunderstanding the Gospel’s message. Read full review

Alan Ng

Jul 1, 2021

Stolakis presents the facts in a studied but engaging manner. The testimonies from her subjects are genuine and heartfelt, especially as they continue to struggle with their faith in light of what is seen as God’s “failings” in their lives. Read full review

Brian Shaer

Aug 10, 2021

Beautifully filmed and incorporating interviews and impressive archival news footage, Pray Away digs deep into the pathology of fundamentalist Christian conceptions of reparative therapy. By showcasing survivors of the “ex-gay” movement and illustrating the personal tragedy that has resulted from individual involvement, the film provides a lens of hope for those who think there is none. Read full review

David Rooney

Aug 6, 2021

The film is measured yet forceful, never strident in making its point. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Jul 29, 2021

Though there are political elements here, to be sure, Pray Away has more the feeling of witnessing multiple spiritual journeys. These journeys are, by their very nature, moving. Read full review

Carlos Aguilar

Aug 7, 2021

With every added account of shameful contrition, the realization that this issue exists very much in the present tense weighs heavy on the viewer. Read full review

Jacob Oller

Aug 2, 2021

Despite its important subject and impressive access, the surprisingly surface-level film doesn’t have much to say. Read full review

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User Reviews

geewah

Sep 1, 2021

While this documentary does a fine job in conveying the pain inflicted by conversion therapy, it doesn't really add anything new on the topic and does seem to skim the surface on what is important subject.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Fckallth3wayoff

Dec 13, 2022

Yet another documentary trying to portray conservatives as victims as opposed to literal **** retards that were willing to harm other people until they were personally affected. Every single person interviewed in this documentary would have killed themselves years ago if they had any senseYet another documentary trying to portray conservatives as victims as opposed to literal **** retards that were willing to harm other people until they were personally affected. Every single person interviewed in this documentary would have killed themselves years ago if they had any sense of shame. The damage they inflicted on our country and their community is disgusting, and netflix giving them a **** soap box is even moreso.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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