Conversion therapy has inspired plenty of narrative films, from Boy Erased to But I’m a Cheerleader. Now, the biggest organizational proponent of it, Exodus International, gets the documentary treatment in Pray Away. Directed by Kristine Stolakis, the film streams on Netflix August 3.
Pray Away reveals the group’s origins when five men started a Bible study group to fight their same-sex attraction, eventually formalizing their group into Exodus International to “help” more people. But of course, they themselves never conquered the attraction that prompted their initial prayer group. Pray Away also delves into the fallout when these religious right trailblazers finally come out and turn against the movement they helped foster and spread.
The documentary currently has a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes after premiering at Tribeca Film festival earlier this year. Watch the trailer below.