Teen Torture, Inc.

An expose of how troubled teen program centers were run by megalomaniacs, and were actually centers of abuse and torture. Supposed professionals, such as Dr. Phil, were supporting these places without ever setting foot inside the doors. Program survivors relate, in heartbreaking reality, the horrors they experienced. It also highlights how local authorities turned a blind eye to what was happening and how our government supports institutionalized child abuse.

Evan Wright, featured in this series, committed suicide July 12, 2024. He wrote about the horrors he experiencedin a book titled "The Seed." I hope he has found peace at long last.

The film effectively blends suspense with social commentary, tackling themes of peer pressure and the consequences of unchecked power. The performances are commendable, particularly from the young cast, who deliver raw and authentic portrayals of their characters' desperation and resilience. Visually, the film employs a gritty aesthetic that heightens the tension, and the pacing keeps viewers on edge throughout. While some plot elements may feel familiar, the film's unique take on the horror genre, combined with its impactful message, makes it a noteworthy watch. Overall, Teen Torture Inc. Is a chilling exploration of the darker side of adolescence, delivering thrills and a poignant reminder of the importance of solidarity in dire situations. Fans of horror and psychological thrillers will find plenty to appreciate here.

It means well but it was too slow. Every 6 sentences there is a re-enactment scene of silence accompanied with either a sad piano scale or wimpy string, or high speed percussion score. Then another six sentences from a victim then the re-enactment and over and over and over.

The stories are not unique enough to go this slow. Give your viewers a reason to be outraged over how these individuals were treated rather than this wanna be drama that presented as annoying.

More of the religious based abuse would have been a huge story.

How about the parents. Expose them.

Paris Hilton is the poster child for parent failure. Look at her mother Kathy Hilton. She failed. Kathy is a narcissist who craves attention. Look how she's now on a reality show. Did she need the money? Is she an actress? No, she needs attention.

The story here is how the parents are to blame first and then these throw away camps second.

Like I said the producers meant well but this fell flat.

Maybe it's me but I find no joy, pleasure, or viewing satisfaction watching others recount stories about their own trauma years later. If a documentary focuses on such, then it's expected that there will be some comeuppance or retribution in the story. This documentary is nothing more than a recounting of trauma stories.

I can sympathize with those affected, and I honestly do.

But I wonder what makes this a documentary? It's a collection of trauma stories mixed with ambiguous allegations. Now the allegations may be true. I'm not denying that. But theres no "meat" here.. no substance, nothing other than trauma stories and publicly available facts. There's no "hidden" story. No "gotcha" moment. No exposing of public deception. No recrimination for ANY parent that put their child in these centers. To retribution for any corporation or individual. Nothing.

Ultimately, this is just anti-Dr Phil and trauma stories, that's all. This all will certainly pull on one's compassion and empathy at times, but I'm not really sure it has ANY makings worthy of a documentary.

Max seems to be airing a great many of the "substance-lacking" documentaries lately. They all start to come across like food photos on instagram.... only interesting to the person taking the photo, not other viewers.

Illustrated by every deliberately misleading recreations that are designed to, attempt to, fool the viewer into believing it's real cctv footage or whatnot - SURE it's horrific and sure once the star power of Paris Hilton came out to denounce it, all these other kids seemed to become emboldened to tell thier tales - BUT WE GET IT - trust me WE DO! Noone is doubting that this was 'parent sanctioned abuse by proxy' but ya see THAT'S the rub - it's the parents that are ultimately responsible THE PARENTS - for either not doing enough due diligence in speaking personally to children that came before, children that weren't offered up by the institution that is earning billions annually - and many MANY of these parents left thier wards in the 'care' of these establishments for extended durations - like 18 months and whatnot - that should have been a clue - clearly these parents were selfishly enjoying the renewed freedoms of thier prior childless lives - basically these arnt really valid documentaries - in the sense that they're highly anecdotal and propped up by recreations that arnt even labeled as such - don't get me wrong, I feel for and empathize with the woman recounting her woes, but her returning to the scene and walking the campus leaking her feelings whilst we're shown an exam table with, and really grasp this, AN OLD TIMEY COTTON BALL JAR FILLED WITH MENACING RED AND WHITE CAPSULES - is pure hoakum! And should be dismissed as hoakum - not even in the actual wild west did physians keep an open jar of pills on thier exam table to willy nilly dispense during the treatment - and will all this new era half baked documentaries, one must be WARY of credibility once the filmmaker takes such obviously dramatic licenses - all I'm saying is to please understand this whenever you're watching ANY documentary - lest us never be duped again like with 'making of a murderer'