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Movies & TV

04th Nov 2018

7 brilliant Louis Theroux documentaries that you need to see

Paul Moore

Louis Theroux documentaries

They’re all highly recommended.

With the news that Louis Theroux is back with a new three-episode series, fans of the documentarian are eagerly waiting to see what he has in store on Altered States.

He currently has a plethora of shows and series’ that are all available on Netflix (we’ve done our best to include as many of those as possible below) along with an enormous back catalogue of stunning work.

In no particular order, we highly recommend all of the following.

The Most Hated Family in America (2007)

Outline: An up close and personal look at the family that’s at the core of the Westboro Baptist Church. The organization was led by Fred Phelps (who has since died) and the documentary examines why Westboro Baptist Church members believe that the United States government is immoral due to its tolerance of homosexuality. It’s a stunning piece of work.

Clip via – BBCWorldwide

Louis Theroux: The City Addicted to Crystal Meth (2009)

Outline: Theroux examines the toll that crystal meth has taken on several addicts in Fresno, California. Simply put, some of the stories will break your heart.

BBC 2 | CITY ADDICTED TO CRYSTAL METH from Geoffrey O’Connor / Copious Pict on Vimeo.

Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends – Survivalists (1998)

Outline: In Idaho, Louis meets military enthusiasts and right-wing patriots who are preparing for a global catastrophe, including trips to survivalists’ store Safetrek and a mountain refuge for conspiracy theorists called Almost Heaven.

Clip via – louistherouxdotcom’s channel

Louis Theroux: Behind Bars (2008)

Outline: Theroux visits San Quentin prison where he meets and speaks to murderers, gang members, at-risk inmates and guards.

Clip via – BBCWorldwide

Louis Theroux: LA Stories – Edge of Life (2014)

Outline: Louis Theroux meets patients battling for their lives in LA’s most famous hospital.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Louis Theroux attends a screening of 'My Scientology Movie' during the BFI London Film Festival at Vue Leicester Square on October 14, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for BFI)

Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends – Wrestling (1999)

Outline: Louis takes a look at different types of wrestling from the high profile World Championship Wrestling (WCW) to people organising events in their spare time. He meets several WCW wrestlers, including Rowdy Roddy Piper, Goldberg, Randy Savage, Berlyn, Raven, and Pez Whatley.

Clip via – BBC Brit

Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends – Looking for Love (2000)

Outline: The documentarian visits a Bangkok marriage agency where Western men meet Thai brides.

Clip via – BBC Brit

Truth be told, there are so many other Theroux documentaries that we could include but the two glaring omissions from the above list are Gambling in Las Vegas and Law and Disorder in Johannesburg. Check them out.

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