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Apostasy

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Apostasy

2017

1h 35m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Jehovah's Witnesses, Alex, Luisa, and their mother, are united in their devotion. But as Luisa starts to question the advice of the elders, she makes a transgression that leaves the whole family in fear of God's wrath.

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Joseph Walsh

Time Out

It is a quietly brilliant work that balances the conflicts of three women, and the trio of actresses playing them give stunning performances.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 22, 2018

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Nikki Baughan

Sight & Sound

The proselytising is measured not in rally cries but in quiet, introspective moments.

Aug 1, 2018

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Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

Kokotajlo presents this world from the perspective of somebody who has experienced and understands it.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 29, 2018

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

Starkly lit, and populated with drab browns and grays, the oppressive, claustrophobic settings mirror the sense of joylessness and sacrifice expected of the three women at the center of this story.

Aug 26, 2024

Full Review

Jim Ross

TAKE ONE Magazine

Armageddon may not come during APOSTASY, but Kokotajlo's film chronicles the destruction of smaller and more personal worlds in a manner that grips from genesis to final revelations.

Feb 13, 2020

Full Review

Jason Best

Movie Talk

This is a highly impressive feature debut for writer-director Daniel Kokotajlo, who draws on his insight and experiences as a former Jehovah's Witness to create a sensitive exploration of faith and family, freedom and community.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 12, 2019

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Alain E

Distressing to watch, this movie conveys realistically how religious fanaticism poisons human behavior. The story unfolds with excellent timing. The worst events occur offscreen. Eventually one of the two daughters decides to escape the insanity. An excellent BBC production available on Tubi.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

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Priscila L

I throughly enjoyed it. I found it very educational and deeply frustrating all at the same time. The actresses/actors were excellent. Religion can offer hope, meaning and belonging, but often there can be a heavy price to pay as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/18/25

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N M

It was disturbingly accurate.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/24

Full Review

P B

Horrible acting made even worse by the inaccuracies in the writing and facts that are assigned to the religious aspects and beliefs too - but then it is a film, not a documentary and so can portray things how they want. Fortunately the JWs are nothing like that in real life. Boring film with more inaccuracies than U-571. Could've been improved with better writing and research on all the aspects of topics discussed.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/17/23

Full Review

Emma G

Very accurate description of life as a young jw. Was a very hard watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/08/23

Full Review

The I

This movie is an extremely accurate depiction of life as a Jehovah's Witness. It shows the mind-numbing tedium of that life, the intolerance to those who are not JWs, and the damage it does to families. It's an incredible movie. Bravo!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

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Daniel Kokotajlo

Director

Siobhan Finneran

Ivanna

Sacha Parkinson

Luisa

Molly Wright

Alex

Robert Emms

Steven

Steve Evets

Brother Terry

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Synopsis

Jehovah's Witnesses, Alex, Luisa, and their mother, are united in their devotion. But as Luisa starts to question the advice of the elders, she makes a transgression that leaves the whole family in fear of God's wrath.

Director: Daniel Kokotajlo
Producer: Andrea Cornwell, Marcie MacLellan
Screenwriter: Daniel Kokotajlo
Production Co: Frank & Lively, Zelig Sound, Oldgarth Media
Genre: Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 5, 2018
Runtime: 1h 35m

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