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Season 1 – The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin Sep 2021 Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
80% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
The rise and fall of "Weigh Down Workshop," Gwen Shamblin Lara's religious weight-loss regimen.
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The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Kristen Baldwin Entertainment Weekly 04/29/2022
B+
The story of Remnant Fellowship and its petite, high-haired leader is beyond bizarre and at times almost comical, but The Way Down stays grounded by focusing on the human cost of Gwen Shamblin's hubris Go to Full Review Inkoo Kang Washington Post 10/11/2021
Director Marina Zenovich structures her three-part documentary... like Dante's visit to the circles of hell; the deeper we wade in, the more grotesque the cruelties. Go to Full Review Danette Chavez AV Club 10/08/2021
C+
Theirs is an undoubtedly upsetting tale, but it's almost undermined by the insistence on frequent breaks to dial up the tension. Go to Full Review Emma Clark-Dow The Post NZ 06/06/2022
The documentary details Shamblin’s journey as she uses money, prestige and power to and create the Remnant Church... Go to Full Review Natalia Trzenko La Nación (Argentina) 01/11/2022
As fascinating as the architecture of Gwen's skyscraper hairstyles. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Melissa Camacho Common Sense Media 10/15/2021
3/5
The Way Down tells an intriguing story that shows how people's religious beliefs and personal vulnerabilities can be exploited in unexpected, consequential ways. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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nakayla w @RT06839839 06/18/2023 Honestly, felt like they were grasping at straws trying to compare her to other horrible cult leaders when she was just another shitty self serving Christian with regular ass church leader beliefs and practices except she had a vagina. See more 05/23/2022 Fantastically told story of what is, in the end, the story of a bunch of awful people getting what they deserved. We all know people like this and I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a lot of Schadenfreude watching it. Highly recommend. See more 10/04/2021 Awesome docuseries! True and accurate! See more 10/04/2021 The Way Down is only the tip of the iceberg of the fraud, deception and greed in this CULT. There are more people like the ones interviewed that has a story of the abuse they endured at the hands of Gwen Shamblin and her "Leaders" See more 10/04/2021 A beautifully done documentary! I was happy to be a part of it. Would do it again in a heartbeat. See more Read all reviews
The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Marina Zenovich

Director

Marina Zenovich

Executive Producer

Ross M. Dinerstein

Executive Producer

Luke Dillon

Executive Producer

Chrissy Teigen

Executive Producer

Nile Cappello

Executive Producer

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 30, 2021 The Kingdom A deadly May 2021 plane crash in Tennessee draws public attention to the mysterious Remnant Fellowship Church and its founder, Gwen Shamblin Lara; Gwen founds a church that some experts, neighbors, and former members believe is a dangerous cult. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 30, 2021 A Family Affair In 2018, Gwen marries struggling actor and aspiring country singer Joe Lara, raising questions about the odd couple's checkered past; with close ties to Remnant, Joe's legal team helps wage a bitter custody battle for his young daughter. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 30, 2021 Seen But Not Heard When two Remnant members are charged with the murder of their child, allegations of abuse within the church begin to surface; another tragedy forever changes the trajectory of the Remnant's future. Details Episode 4 Aired Apr 28, 2022 Revelations After a mysterious accident claims the lives of Gwen, Joe, and some of their inner circle, former Remnant members grapple with the leader's complicated legacy, and new voices come forward for the first time. Details Episode 5 Aired Apr 28, 2022 The Way Forward As the Remnant Fellowship fights to control the narrative, footage of a never-aired reality series pilot surfaces, casting new light on the ways Gwen shaped her image and the lives of those who followed her. Details

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The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin — Season 1

The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin View more photos

Season Info

Director
Marina Zenovich
Executive Producer
Marina Zenovich, Ross M. Dinerstein, Luke Dillon, Chrissy Teigen, Nile Cappello, P.G. Morgan, Rebecca Evans, Ross Girard
Network
HBO Max
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 30, 2021