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Poster for Pray Away

Pray Away

Seen it?

2021 | 101 min | Documentary

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for the curious. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Eye-opening.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 41 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

In the 1970s, five men struggling with being gay in their Evangelical church started a bible study to help each other leave the "homosexual lifestyle." They quickly received over 25,000 letters from people asking for help and formalized as Exodus International, the largest and most controversial conversion therapy organization in the world. But leaders struggled with a secret: their own “same-sex attractions” never went away. After years as Christian superstars in the religious right, many of these men and women have come out as LGBTQ, disavowing the very movement they helped start. Focusing on the dramatic journeys of former conversion therapy leaders, current members, and a survivor, PRAY AWAY chronicles the “ex gay" movement’s rise to power, persistent influence, and the profound harm it causes.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.7 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    0 wins and 2 nominations from smaller awards and festivals

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 15K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Kristine Stolakis

  • Julie RodgersSelf
  • Randy ThomasSelf
  • Yvette Cantu SchneiderSelf
  • John PaulkSelf
  • Jeffrey McCallSelf
  • Alan ChambersSelf