Name: The Darkness within La Luz del Mundo
Director: Carlos Pérez Osorio
Released: 2023-09-28T12:30:00

The Darkness within La Luz del Mundo is a documentary film that shines a light on the La Luz Del Mundo church and the generations of abuse carried out by its leaders. The film is streaming on Netflix.

Story

Naasón Joaquín García was the self-proclaimed “Apostle of Jesus Christ” and served as the leader of the La Luz del Mundo church based out of the Hermosa Province in Guadalajara. In 2019, five women came forward and accused him of sexual abuse and he was arrested on several charges.

Digging deeper into their stories and the evidence found, it is revealed that the abuse was not constricted to just Naasón, but his father and grandfather as well, who were also considered apostles and led the church before him.

These women suffered ridicule and isolation from ardent believers for speaking against the man they believed would lead them to salvation, but it took incredible bravery for them to come forward.

In the end, their voices were heard and while they didn’t get the verdict they were hoping for, they did succeed in exposing these men for who they truly are.

Positives

The film interviews not only a victim of Naasón but also victims of Samuel, as well as their supporters and people who fall just outside the circle. This broad exposure helps paint a clearer picture of what it was like to be a follower and how difficult it must be to get out.

The extensive archival footage playing to the testimonies of the victims is what makes them even more distressing. The film rarely holds anything back and doesn’t attempt to dilute any of the heinous crimes that were committed.

Negatives

The statement by the judge “Lawyers do what lawyers do” sums up the disappointing nature of Naasón’s conviction. The film ends on a slightly sour note not through any fault of its own but the fault of the legal system and its technicalities.

Verdict

The Darkness within La Luz del Mundo is a troubling documentary that is another example of how men in power often use religion to exert control over other individuals and how blind faith sometimes leads to traumatic experiences. Bringing this story out in the open was very much necessary and hopefully has the right impact on the audience.