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Stop the Insanity: Finding Susan Powter

Play trailer 2:02 Poster for Stop the Insanity: Finding Susan Powter Now Playing 1h 27m Documentary Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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In the '90s, pop culture icon Susan Powter burst onto the scene with her signature bleach-blonde buzz cut and bold message of health and wellness. After conquering infomercials, becoming a New York Times bestselling author, hosting her own talk show, and seeing her face on thousands of products, she dramatically walked away from Hollywood and into obscurity. Crippling lawsuits with her business partners left her bankrupt, and she has since lived as a total recluse below the poverty line in Las Vegas, where the filmmaker ultimately finds her. This documentary explores the meteoric rise and subsequent fall of Susan Powter while asking what it will take to bring her back to audiences--and whether her message, Stop The Insanity, is still as relevant and powerful today as it was in the early '90s.
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Critics Reviews

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Glenn Kenny New York Times The documentary ends not with the promise of a comeback, but with a resolution to restore some, well, sanity to Powter’s life. Nov 20, 2025 Full Review Daniel Fienberg The Hollywood Reporter What I liked most about Stop the Insanity is what’s likely to make it a tough sell to audiences who have devoured films about so many of her former contemporaries. It doesn’t say if Powter, as a guru, was right or wrong. Nov 19, 2025 Full Review Joey Moser The Contending For Stop the Insanity: Finding Susan Powter, director Zeberiah Newman re-introduces us to an icon with fervor, love, and patient affection. Nov 25, 2025 Full Review Bill Cooper Spectrum Culture Stop the Insanity has the potential to be a hard-hitting documentary about financial hardship and inspirational new beginnings, but due to weak details, viewers will have to look elsewhere for answers about Susan Powter. Nov 20, 2025 Full Review Mark Dujsik Mark Reviews Movies There's an almost voyeuristic sense to some of Stop the Insanity: Finding Susan Powter... Rated: 2.5/4 Nov 19, 2025 Full Review Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru Heartfelt and illuminating. Nov 18, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Milena A An honest and direct look at Susan Powter, one of the very first American wellness influencers in the 90s. A legend that had it all and lost it all blindsided by people she trusted the most. Almost 30 years later she is rising like a Phoenix. Her commitment to continue inspiring people will give hope to all of us looking for that Second Act in life. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/25/25 Full Review S. S I really enjoyed this documentary. I think there are questions that still need to be answered but I remember at this time a lot of people who came from obscurity and found fame became broke, signed very bad deals like TLC, Toni Braxton these people filed for bankruptcy but were some of the most popular musicians of the time. Susan had a TV show, four New York times bestsellers and she was bringing in money hand over fist. I guess at the end of the day what happened doesn't really matter The bigger question is why it took so long for people to find her, the documentary answers that question. Because she didn't want to be found. We all know Hollywood is an ugly place but Susan is a force of nature and I'm happy to see her back. I hope this is only the beginning. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/25/25 Full Review Anthony S The story of Susan's highs and lows is so moving and inspirational. The film was expertly executed with a brilliantly crafted narrative and masterful edit. I have no doubt that this will win the Oscar for Best Documentary. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/24/25 Full Review John R The type of honesty and vulnerability I’ve never seen in a documentary before. Beautifully crafted storytelling that leaves you thinking long after you’ve left the theater. What happens when life doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would? Susan Powter is a powerful force and it’s incredible to see her have a voice again. Really a must-see! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/24/25 Full Review Ronilyn R This movie is a raw and rare look at a beloved icon that inexplicably disappeared from pop culture. Susan Powter came onto the scene in the 90s as a smart, energetic beautiful force of nature that had nothing but honesty to offer in her teachings of fitness, nutrition, and positivity... she was ahead of her time. In this documentary, we see how everything she built was unjustly taken from her, leaving her with nothing... nothing but the same fierce spirit and tenacity that made her famous, a full-throttle perseverance that got her through the darkest of times. This film is an eye-opening story of humility and hope, and it teaches us a lesson. If you ever find yourself saying, "I wonder whatever happened to...." you should try to find out. And if what you find is not good, do your best to raise awareness in the hopes of offering help. I can't wait to see what good things come from Susan's story being told. Stop the Insanity! Susan Powter is back! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/24/25 Full Review James M. I loved this movie. It was so heartbreaking to see how a trusting, kind and extraordinarily talented woman could be so badly taken advantage of without recourse or repercussion. But as the film develops, we see her take life in her stride, never giving up, never wallowing in self pity, and always charming and inspiring those around her. It was so much fun to watch her, and I left feeling like being your authentic self is the only route to fulfilment. So happy to have been introduced to this powerhouse of a woman, and can’t wait to see what she does next Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/24/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Stop the Insanity: Finding Susan Powter

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the '90s, pop culture icon Susan Powter burst onto the scene with her signature bleach-blonde buzz cut and bold message of health and wellness. After conquering infomercials, becoming a New York Times bestselling author, hosting her own talk show, and seeing her face on thousands of products, she dramatically walked away from Hollywood and into obscurity. Crippling lawsuits with her business partners left her bankrupt, and she has since lived as a total recluse below the poverty line in Las Vegas, where the filmmaker ultimately finds her. This documentary explores the meteoric rise and subsequent fall of Susan Powter while asking what it will take to bring her back to audiences--and whether her message, Stop The Insanity, is still as relevant and powerful today as it was in the early '90s.
Director
Zeb Newman
Producer
Zeb Newman, Leah Turner, Michiel Thomas
Distributor
Obscured Releasing
Genre
Documentary, Biography
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 19, 2025, Limited
Runtime
1h 27m