Watch Prophet's Prey
- TV-14
- 2015
- 1 hr 30 min
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7.2 (2,013)
Prophet's Prey is a gripping documentary film that explores the shocking and disturbing story of Warren Jeffs, the infamous leader of the polygamist sect known as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or FLDS. The film, directed by Amy Berg and released in 2015, features a detailed investigation of Jeffs' rise to power and the disturbing abuses he committed against his followers, particularly young girls.
The story of Prophet's Prey begins with the history of the FLDS sect, which was founded in the early 20th century as a branch of the mainstream Mormon church but soon broke away to adopt more extreme beliefs and practices. Under Jeffs' leadership, the FLDS became one of the most secretive and controlling religious groups in the United States, with members living in isolated communities and following strict rules that forbade contact with the outside world.
As the film reveals, Jeffs' influence over his followers was absolute, with many viewing him as a prophet and savior who was leading them to salvation. However, as his power grew, Jeffs' behavior began to take a darker turn, with allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation emerging from within the FLDS community.
Prophet's Prey features interviews with former FLDS members, including men and women who were forced into polygamous marriages as young teenagers and suffered abuse at the hands of Jeffs and his inner circle. These firsthand accounts paint a harrowing picture of life within the sect, with members living in constant fear of punishment for even minor infractions of Jeffs' rules.
The film also delves into the efforts of those who sought to bring Jeffs to justice, including private investigator Sam Brower, who spent years investigating the FLDS and eventually played a key role in Jeffs' capture and conviction on charges of sexual assault of a child.
Throughout the film, Jeffs is portrayed as a manipulative and delusional figure, whose beliefs and actions were driven by a desire to exert complete control over his followers. Despite his apparent charisma and charm, the documentary makes it clear that Jeffs was ultimately responsible for the suffering and trauma endured by countless individuals within the FLDS community.
Prophet's Prey concludes with a message of hope and healing, highlighting the bravery and strength of those who have come forward to speak out against Jeffs and the FLDS. As the film demonstrates, it is only through the courage of these survivors that the full extent of Jeffs' crimes has been brought to light, and that steps can be taken to prevent such abuses from occurring in the future.
In sum, Prophet's Prey is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on a little-known but deeply disturbing chapter in American history. Through its careful exploration of Jeffs' life and crimes, the film offers a sobering reminder of the dangers of fanaticism and the importance of standing up to those who would use religion to justify abuse and oppression.
Prophet's Prey is a 2015 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 77.