Following up on his 2007 documentary, The Most Hated Family in America, Louis Theroux returns to Topeka, Kansas, for a week-long visit with the Westboro Baptist Church. He again joins the Phelps family on their controversial pickets where they try to antagonise communities with offensive slogans and anti-gay placards. But four years on from Louis's last visit, there are signs of disarray in the Phelps clan. A series of defections of family members has shaken up the church.
Direction
Emma Cooper lets silences scream louder than the picket signs.
Writing
Louis's questions cut like butter—seemingly soft, actually surgical.
Director
Emma Cooper
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 2011 timing is crucial: this documents the beginning of Westboro's decline, before Fred Phelps's 2014 excommunication and death. You're watching a hate group lose its grip in real time.
Lauren Drain's defection happened partly because Louis's 2007 documentary reached her—meta proof that journalism can actually crack cult walls.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
GB
