Plot Synopsis

Produced and directed by Amy Berg, PHOENIX RISING is a two-part documentary that explores actress and activist Evan Rachel Wood's story of survival and activism. The doc follows Wood as she takes her experience as a survivor of domestic violence to pursue justice, heal generational wounds, and reclaim her story. Almost a decade after escaping a dangerous relationship, Wood co-authors and successfully lobbies for passage of The Phoenix Act, legislation that extends the statute of limitations for domestic violence cases in California. Wood courageously uses her own experience to bring visibility to the issue; ultimately, in solidarity with fellow survivors.

PHOENIX RISING delves behind familiar headlines and explores the often-misunderstood aspects of domestic abuse, helping to shed light on the many factors that prevent survivors from coming forward with their stories as they deal with years of aftershocks and emotional trauma.

At age 18, Wood was pursued by then 37-year-old Brian Warner, known to the world as the rock icon Marilyn Manson. In sway to his status, image and persuasive personality, she began a relationship with him that spanned over four years. As the relationship progressed, Wood went from a teenager flattered by his attention, to a young woman terrified of the man who claimed to love her, and she experienced escalating emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Looking back, she recognized a pattern of grooming and control tactics similar to those experienced by other survivors who told their stories of harrowing experiences at the hands of Warner.

Connecting the dots between the progression of her relationship with Warner and phases of the clinical domestic violence cycle, Wood successfully lobbied for The Phoenix Act, which was signed into California State Law in 2019, extending the statute of limitations for domestic violence felonies from three years to five years.

Using archival footage, intimate home videos and candid testimony from Wood and other survivors, PHOENIX RISING charts Wood's journey from silent victim to vocal survivor and her rise to a domestic violence advocate. Amid rising public controversy and an active law enforcement investigation, Wood stands in solidarity with other survivors. On February 1st, 2021, Wood publicly named Brian Warner, aka Marilyn Manson, as her abuser, free from the burden of silence, even as the promise of justice remains ambiguous. To date, no charges have been filed against Warner, who denies abusing Wood or any other person.

PHOENIX RISING had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and then debuted on HBO at 9pm on back-to-back nights:

"Don't Fall" (Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 9pm): In 2019, actor and activist Evan Rachel Wood co-authors and helps pass California's Phoenix Act, which extends the statute of limitations for domestic violence cases. Having never publicly named her abuser, Wood begins to detail the violent relationship she was coerced into at only 18 years old with then 37-year-old Brian Warner, known to the world as rock icon Marilyn Manson.

"Stand Up" (Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 9pm): As more witnesses speak out about Marilyn Manson's actions, Evan Rachel Wood continues to share her story in hopes of helping fellow survivors. Then, investigators meet with Wood as she prepares to publicly name Manson for the first time.

Both episodes were scheduled to stream on HBO Max beginning Tuesday, March 15.