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

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

The fallout of faith

TV-MA2021•47m•6.7/10
Documentary

Ratings

🎬TMDb
6.7/10(18)

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.

Open in PickFlick

Production

Campfire Studios, Huntley Productions, PMZ Pictures, Mindbomb Films, Sound Troop

Language

EN

Status

Ended

First Aired

September 30, 2021

Last Aired

April 28, 2022

Networks

HBO Max

Trailers & Videos

Where to Watch
Region US · Lang EN
US
No providers available for this region.
Seasons & Episodes
Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.
Season
The Kingdom
E1
The Kingdom
Air date: 2021-09-30
A deadly plane crash draws public attention to the Remnant Fellowship, a Christian-diet-program-turned-church, and its infamous leader, Gwen Shamblin Lara.
A Family Affair
E2
A Family Affair
Air date: 2021-09-30
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.
Seen But Not Heard
E3
Seen But Not Heard
Air date: 2021-09-30
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.
Revelations
E4
Revelations
Air date: 2022-04-28
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.
The Way Forward
E5
The Way Forward
Air date: 2022-04-28
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.

Cast

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

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