Plot Synopsis

Directed by Marina Zenovich, THE WAY DOWN is a five-episode documentary series that examines the controversial Remnant Fellowship Church and its founder, the late Gwen Shamblin Lara. After rising to fame with her Weigh Down Workshop, a Christian-based diet program that preached slenderness as next to godliness, Gwen Shamblin Lara founded the Tennessee-based church. Despite a carefully curated image, Lara and the church soon fielded accusations of emotional, psychological, and physical abuse, and exploitation for their alleged cult-like practices. Encompassing years of investigation and extensive interviews with former members and others personally impacted, THE WAY DOWN explores the legacy of Remnant's infamous leader whose life came to a shocking end after a plane crash in May 2021. The first three episodes of THE WAY DOWN dropped on Thursday, September 30, 2021 on HBO Max, with the final two episodes released on Thursday, April 28, 2022.