The 8 Best Movies About Conversion Therapy
Conversion therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of trying to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity through various methods, such as counseling, prayer, or electroshock. It is widely condemned by medical and human rights organizations as harmful and unethical. However, it is still legal in many countries and states and affects thousands of people every year. In this article, we will explore some of the best movies that depict the experiences of people who have undergone or resisted conversion therapy. These movies range from drama to comedy, from historical to contemporary, and from realistic to satirical, so let’s see what we came up with.
1. ‘Pray Away’ (2021)
What it’s about: This is not a movie; it’s a documentary. The film, produced with executive producers Jason Blum and Ryan Murphy, explores the experiences of survivors and former leaders of conversion therapy. It sheds light on the struggles of some leaders as they confront their past actions against others, while also highlighting the journeys of those who have come out.
Why you should watch it: ‘Pray Away’ is an interesting documentary because not only does it show the experience of people who went through that sort of hell, but it also shows you what kind of indoctrination the leaders were going through as well. The documentary was highly praised on release, and it’s known to shed one extremely objective picture of the whole affair.
2. ‘But I’m a Cheerleader‘ (1999)
What it’s about: ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ follows Megan Bloomfield, a popular high school girl who fits the classic stereotype of your prom queen. She is a cheerleader dating a football player, but for some reason, she doesn’t enjoy him physically. Instead, she likes to look at her fellow teammates, meaning that Megan is a lesbian. When her parents notice this, Megan is shipped to the conversion cap on the advice of a “former gay” and a friend of her parents.
Why you should watch it: The thing with ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ was highly polarizing on release due to its satirical nature and the broad issues that it covered. If you can get pass the humor and seemingly surface-level handling of real-world issues, you will manage to enjoy the emotional message that this movie manages to convey by the end.
3. ‘Maurice’ (1987)
What it’s about: Maurice Hall is a student at Cambridge University, and this is where he meets Viscount Risley and the rich and handsome Cliver Durham. Clive and Maurice fall in love, but due to the prejudice of the time being rampant against gays, the two friends start an emotional affair while refusing to get sexual with each other. Clive, due to his upper status in society, does not want to risk it. However, Clive is at one point arrested and sentenced to six months of hard labor after soliciting sex from a soldier while Maurice reaches out to Dr. Lasker-Jones, who tries to ‘cure’ his homosexual longings with hypnosis.
Why you should watch it: ‘Maurice’ is based on a book by E.M. Forster and addresses the challenges faced by same-sex relationships in a historical context, and this is pretty much the best point for watching the movie. YOu can see first-hand how issues have improved in the last several decades and how even the richest and most powerful in society weren’t spared from the prejudices of the time.
4. ‘Boy Erased‘ (2018)
What it’s about: Jared Eamons, the son of a Baptist pastor named Marshall Eamons (played by Russell Crowe) and his wife Nancy (played by Nicole Kidman), comes out as gay to his parents. This revelation is met with concern and resistance, particularly from his father, who is a religious leader in their community. Faced with pressure from his family and their church, Jared agrees to attend a conversion therapy program called Love in Action.
Why you should watch it: Like ‘Maurice’ ‘Boy Erased’ is based on Garrard Conley’s 2016 memoir of the same name. The strongest point of the movie is definitely that it humanizes the individuals affected by conversion therapy. It offers a personal and emotional image of the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in environments that just don’t support them in a correct manner.
5. ‘Saved!’ (2004)
What it’s about: The story is set in a Christian high school, where Mary Cummings, played by Jena Malone, is a devout teenager who believes she has a perfect Christian life. However, her world turns upside down when she becomes pregnant while trying to “save” her gay boyfriend from his homosexuality. In an attempt to conceal her situation and maintain her reputation, Mary befriends a diverse group of misfit students, including a Jewish girl named Cassandra, the wheelchair-bound Roland, and the rebellious and outspoken Hilary Faye.
Why you should watch it: ‘Saved!’ was initially criticized for trying to take on too many issues to tackle, from teen pregnancy to homosexuality. Ultimately, it’s a decent movie that provides a satirical and humorous critique of certain aspects of conservative Christian culture, including the potential for hypocrisy, judgmental attitudes, and the challenges of conforming to societal expectations.
6. ‘The Miseducation of Cameron Post‘ (2018)
What it’s about: This coming-of-age movie is set in the early 1990s and follows Cameron Post, portrayed by Chloë Grace Moretz. After being caught engaging in a sexual encounter with another girl on prom night, Cameron is sent to a conversion therapy center called “God’s Promise.” At the center, Cameron meets other LGBTQ+ youths who are also undergoing the program in an attempt to change their sexual orientation.
Why you should watch it: The movie is a heavy criticism of societal norms and expectations, and the movie was widely praised for tackling those issues in a sensitive manner. The film received acclaim for its direction, screenplay, and cinematography, and it won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018.
7. ‘Save Me‘ (2007)
What it’s about: Mark is a drug-addicted young man who attempts suicide. His brother checks him into Genesis House, a Christian-run ministry led by Gayle and her husband, Ted. Genesis House claims to offer therapy to help individuals overcome their homosexuality and embrace heterosexuality. Mark, struggling with his own sense of identity and faith, begins the program at Genesis House. While there, he forms bonds with other residents, including Scott, a fellow participant. As Mark goes through the therapy process, he faces internal conflicts and begins to question the validity of the program
Why you should watch this: The cast, consisting of Chad Allen, Judith Light, and Stephen Lang, delivered strong performances that brought depth and authenticity to the characters. It really shows conversion therapy in a much more sensitive light when it revolves around a character that had a host of issues even before attempting the therapy.
8. ‘I Am Norman’ (2020)
What it’s about: In ‘I Am Norman,’ a man living in a car takes a filmmaker into the woods to reveal a dark secret. The purpose is to raise awareness about the detrimental impact of gay conversion therapy on youths, potentially shedding light on issues related to mental health and suicide within the LGBTQ+ community.
Why you should watch it: ‘I Am Norman’ is a short movie that was filmed over a span of three days during the UK’s first national lockdown related to COVID-19, the movie is even more impressive when you realize that it was a two-man crew that managed to convey such powerful messages.
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