The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin ambient background
CinebyCineby
The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin backdrop

The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin

The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin
★ 6.6/10•2021•TV-MA•Documentary
Similars

The fallout of faith

Explore how the late Gwen Shamblin Lara, who founded the controversial Remnant Fellowship Church and created the Christian weight loss program The Weigh Down Workshop, rose to fame as a diet guru and church leader.

StatusEnded
LanguageEN
First Air DateSep 30, 2021

Episodes

Episode 1 - The KingdomE147m

The Kingdom

A deadly plane crash draws public attention to the Remnant Fellowship, a Christian-diet-program-turned-church, and its infamous leader, Gwen Shamblin Lara.

Sep 30, 2021

Episode 2 - A Family AffairE247m

A Family Affair

Gwen’s divorce and prompt remarriage to struggling actor/musician Joe Lara raise questions about the odd couple’s checkered past – and the church’s finances.

Sep 30, 2021

Episode 3 - Seen But Not HeardE355m

Seen But Not Heard

When two Remnant members are charged with murder, Gwen rallies her congregation to defend against claims of abuse. As former church members recount their chilling experiences, another tragedy threatens to upend the future of the church.

Sep 30, 2021

Episode 4 - RevelationsE440m

Revelations

After a mysterious accident claims the lives of Gwen, Joe, and some of their inner circle, former Remnant members grapple with the leader’s complicated legacy, and new voices come forward for the first time.

Apr 28, 2022

Episode 5 - The Way ForwardE540m

The Way Forward

As the Remnant Fellowship fights to control the narrative, footage of a never-aired reality series pilot surfaces, casting new light on the ways Gwen shaped her image and the lives of those who followed her.

Apr 28, 2022

Actors

Gwen Shamblin Lara

Gwen Shamblin Lara

Self (archive footage)

Joe Lara

Joe Lara

Self (archive footage)

Natasha Pavlovich

Natasha Pavlovich

Self - Former Girlfriend of Joe Lara

Megan Cox

Self - Member 1996-2006

Helen Byrd

Self - Member 2008-2017

Rafael Martinez

Self - Cult Interventionist

Gina Wilson

Self - Member 1996-2012

Rachel Phillips

Self - Member 2002-2009

Recommendations

Shiny Happy People
Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God
Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult
The Witcher: A Look Inside the Episodes
The Family
Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence
Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey
Trust Me: The False Prophet
How to Become a Cult Leader
Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields
Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke
The Last Movie Stars
Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV
Cursed Films
World War II with Tom Hanks
History 101
The Curious Case of Natalia Grace
The Keepers
The Walking Dead: Origins
Tiger King

Similars

Mayday
Finding Yeezus
Children of the Cult
The 6000 lb Diaries with Dr. Now
How I Escaped My Cult
Exposed: The Church's Darkest Secret
A Sinister Sect: Colonia Dignidad
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez
Trust Me: The False Prophet
Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke
Secte, mode d'emploi
Celebrity Fit Club UK
Why Do I Put on Weight?
Murder in the Skies: Who Downed Mh17?
Twisted Yoga
Le poids de l'amour
Freaky Eaters
The Witnesses
Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence
Beauté fatale