Enlighten Us: The Rise and Fall of James Arthur Ray

Synopsis

Enlighten Us: The Rise and Fall of James Arthur Ray is a documentary film released in 2016 that delves into the controversial life of self-help guru James Arthur Ray. The movie explores Ray's journey from rising to fame with his motivational seminars to the tragic events that led to his downfall, including a lethal sweat lodge ceremony in 2009 that resulted in multiple fatalities. Through interviews and footage, the film provides a gripping insight into the complexities of human nature and the dark side of the self-help industry. Enlighten Us sheds light on the consequences of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of enlightenment at any cost.

Cast

• James Arthur Ray

  Self

• 

  Oprah Winfrey

  Self (archive footage)

• 

  Deepak Chopra

  Self (archive footage)

• 

  Tony Robbins

  Self (archive footage)

Reviews

Enlighten Us: The Rise and Fall of James Arthur Ray has garnered mixed reviews from critics. While some commend the film's candid exploration of Ray's rise and fall, others criticize its pacing and lack of depth. Variety praised the documentary for its compelling storytelling and insightful interviews, but noted that it could have delved deeper into the psychology behind Ray's actions. On the other hand, The Hollywood Reporter criticized the film for its one-sided portrayal of Ray and suggested that it lacked objectivity. Despite these differing opinions, the general consensus is that Enlighten Us offers a thought-provoking look at the complexities of human behavior and the allure of self-help gurus. IMDb rates the film at 6.2/10.