Keep Sweet
Keep Sweet

Movie spotlight

Keep Sweet

2021
Movie
103 min
English

“Keep Sweet” concerns the conflicts in two towns on opposite sides of a state line. The area of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Ariz., was settled by members of a breakaway faction of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that continued to practice polygamy after the church had banned it.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Metacritic70/100
Google Users93%
Director: Rachel DargavelGenres: Documentary, True Crime

Plot Summary

This documentary series uncovers the disturbing truth behind the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). It details the rise of Warren Jeffs and the systematic abuse, control, and exploitation of women and children within the secretive community. Through interviews with former members, the series exposes the psychological manipulation and physical coercion that defined life under Jeffs's leadership.

Critical Reception

Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey was generally well-received by critics for its unflinching look at the abuses within the FLDS community and Warren Jeffs's disturbing reign. Reviewers praised its compelling storytelling and the bravery of the survivors who shared their experiences. However, some noted that the docuseries occasionally felt repetitive in its presentation of horrors, though this was often seen as necessary to convey the scale of the tragedy.

What Reviewers Say

  • A harrowing and essential watch that gives voice to survivors of profound abuse.

  • Effectively captures the chilling control and manipulation exerted by Warren Jeffs and the FLDS.

  • The documentary is powerful due to the testimonials of those who escaped the cult.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly found the documentary to be a deeply impactful and important watch, frequently commending the courage of the former FLDS members who shared their stories. Many appreciated the series for shedding light on a dark chapter of religious extremism and cult dynamics, with particular praise for its raw and honest portrayal of the trauma experienced by victims.

Fun Fact

The documentary features interviews with multiple women who were married to Warren Jeffs as underage girls, including his own niece, highlighting the disturbing extent of his control and abuse.

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