Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator

2019

1h 26m

Documentary

Crime

Drama

List

96%

24 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Filmmaker Eva Orner examines the dramatic rise and fall of hot yoga founder, Bikram Choudhury. Orner covers many of the details addressed in the podcast miniseries "30 for 30."

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Critics Consensus

By exposing the corrupt systems which enabled him, Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator paints a disturbing -- and necessary -- portrait of the cycles of abuse endured by countless followers of the charlatan at its center.

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Jeff M

The subject matter of this documentary obviously couldn't be more timely and important as it is at this very moment. That makes it all the more sad that this documentary is not worthy of its topic and comes across nothing more than a glorified 20/20 segment. The nail in the coffin of this movie is that it comes across very one-sided - there is very little done to argue both sides of the story. And whether this was the choice of the filmmaker or there was hardly anyone willing to be filmed supporting a defense of Bikram, it is a detriment to the documentary. And what little defense is shown is mainly provided by disciples of Choudhury who comes across almost cultish and, quite frankly, selfish. I would be very interested in seeing a documentary - even a limited series - that really delves into the story in greater detail. As it is, I'm glad to be aware of the situation, but I didn't find myself angered or moved by the film itself.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

JP h

Good documentary on how a HUSTLER used what he knew and hustled the rich people of America who can no longer see SUBSTANCE and REAL KNOWLEDGE when it's in front of them and they are easily duped by BS salesmen, hustlers, and people with really very little knowledge. The big key, if a person teaches about physical, mental, or spiritual health and doesn't know human evolution and what the human body was evolved to do THEY ARE BS. Plain and simple, and since 99.9% of the "health" industry has very little true understanding of evolution I wouldn't trust MOST of the capitalist health industry, in which case they are just taking advantage of you and stealing your money, time, and soul

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/06/23

Full Review

patrick f

This was an interesting film that told another chapter in the story of the times up/me too movement. The interviews were captivating and the film was well edited, especially with the use of archival footage. The film somehow made me both more interested in Bikram's type of yoga and full of hate for Bikram himself.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This was an interesting film that told another chapter in the story of the times up/me too movement. The interviews were captivating and the film was well edited, especially with the use of archival footage. The film somehow made me both more interested in Bikram's type of yoga and full of hate for Bikram himself.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

dave d

A wonderful documentary that explains how Bikram got started in Yoga to the present day. It's an amazing story of how people can just become horrible when their power goes unchecked. There are interviews with accusers and supporters. The film makers take a mostly down the middle approach. Some old footage of Bikram and how his celebrity grew add to the importance of the subject. At under 90 minutes it's a quick watch with plenty of intrigue. Final Score: 8.2/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

cinephile f

I think that this was very well done and I appreciate the balanced perspective regarding the Bikram Yoga practice itself.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Eva Orner

Director

Ann Duong

Actor

Micki Jafa-Bodden

Actor

Marisa Clifford

Executive Producer

Emma Cooper

Executive Producer

Sarah Anthony

Producer

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Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

Speaks to the various ways that individual and legal cowardice, misogyny and self-interest help perpetuate such misconduct; which, in the end, makes [it] not only an eye-opening account of Bikram's wretchedness, but a vital act of speaking truth to power.

Dec 30, 2019

Full Review

Camilla Long

Times (UK)

It provided a bog-standard portrait of yet another sweaty tyrant, reinforcing the one rule of life: never trust anyone who likes Rolls-Royces.

Dec 16, 2019

Full Review

Brian Tallerico

RogerEbert.com

The content is unforgettable, a reminder to question those in positions of power, even ones who seem only to want to help you.

Dec 10, 2019

Full Review

Victor Pineyro

Seventh Art Studio

It's a middle ground between crime and the least common of all senses, common sense. A good docu that tries hard to present different sides of the coin only to discover there are none. It's sad that yoga started like this. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 7/10

Jun 22, 2022

Full Review

Laura Jane Turner

Digital Spy

Netflix's Bikram documentary gets even more disturbing.

Dec 10, 2019

Full Review

Roger Moore

Movie Nation

Ora's cut-and-dried film uses those decades of gullible TV profiles to let Bikram tell his rags to riches story, spin his own creation myth.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 10, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Eva Orner examines the dramatic rise and fall of hot yoga founder, Bikram Choudhury. Orner covers many of the details addressed in the podcast miniseries "30 for 30."

Director: Eva Orner
Producer: Marisa Clifford, Emma Cooper
Genre: Documentary, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 20, 2019
Runtime: 1h 26m

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