‘Going Clear’ Scientology Documentary Draws Strong Hollywood Reactions: ‘Crazy,’ ‘Stunned,’ ‘Terrifying’

Alex Gibney’s film is highly critical of the Church’s practices and leadership

“Going Clear,” the new documentary about the Church of Scientology, premiered on HBO Sunday, and Hollywood has flocked to social media to voice support for the film, as well as their concerns about the religion some former members describe as a cult.

Directed by Oscar winner Alex Gibney, and based on the book of the same name by Lawrence Wright, the film takes an in-depth look at the religion launched by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard. “Going Clear” not only presents a detailed history of the tax-exempt organization, but features former Scientologists who allege serious abuse and mistreatment at the hands of the Church’s senior leadership, including leader David Miscavige.

Gibney claims that those who appeared in the documentary have been threatened with violence. “A major thing the church got by on for many years was intimidating people into silence, based on their threats of litigation and brutish psychological games,” Gibney said in an interview with TheWrap.

The Church denied this, and all claims made in the documentary, in an exclusive statement to TheWrap. “Alex Gibney is proving to be exactly like the sources in his film–no accusation is too irresponsible to make. It doesn’t matter if he lacks corroboration and proof, it’s all about promoting his movie,” the statement reads.

Take a look at the tweets, below.

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