A fascinating documentary that delves into three people who have left or are attempting to leave the ultra-orthodox Hasidic Jew community. The rules of the community are frankly disgusting and it allows people (mainly men) to dominate and destroy anything in their way. The film takes a systematic approach, albeit heavy-handed, and sheds light on a group little is known about. It's not hard to confuse or consider Hasidic Judaism a cult. They limit education and therefore most live off of the government. They force beliefs, marriage, and tell members they can not turn in any other member who commits a crime. Sexual abuse is discussed. Much like many of the groups who prohibit members from doing things sexually, desire wins out. I often ask myself when learning about these cults: "What's wrong with knowledge?" or "if you believe in God and that God will judge you in the end, does it matter what you think about others?" It's a discussion I've had before that usually results in the religious party screaming which leads to another question: Why are these people so darn unhappy? A rabbi of the community says there isn't enough empathy within his group. Witnessing the shunning of these three people is disheartening. It's astonishing to contemplate that these people are having children for the wrong reasons. How can you not love your kid? Arranged marriages suck and with the gene pool in this group they are legitimately in the shallow end. Final Score: 9.1/10

Although it loses momentum and becomes repetitious in its second half, this is a solid and very interesting documentary that works as a nice companion piece to Jesus Camp, as it also offers us a disturbing - and even terrifying - look at the harmful side of religion.

Wow! What an amazing documentary! Both the cinematography and the story - absolutely amazing.

A powerful film about a cruel brain washed community who stripped 7 kids from a loving mother. Tough & emotional watch.

"One of Us" is a deeply disturbing documentary about the emotional and intellectual toll prescriptive, insular communities take on their members. Although the motivating sources may vary, Hasidism, Scientology, radical Christian, radical Mormon, radical Muslim, and other sects and cults inevitably sacrifice their members to an inflexible doctrine that suffers no questioning. They are simply spiritually-infused variations on autocracies. Not only do these groups tolerate violence by the powerful within the flock, they limit the education of their children since that might lead to questioning. Through constant indoctrination, adults are persuaded to stay within invisible boundaries of "specialness" that is painted as a refuge. Members are taught to fear and distrust "the other" while clinging to the community that purports to protect them in exchange for some elusive superiority, sense of belonging, or spiritual enlightenment. As this film makes clear, women are frequently given low status and impossibly rigid rules that were not of their making. In this case, shaving their heads, dressing in 17th century clothing, and most importantly, being subservient to their husbands, even those who are violent. Such group agreement that men are superior and women inferior is taught early through indoctrination as children observe the segregation of roles and listen to whatever justification is given for it. The reading books that blot out girls' faces should leave no doubt about the goal of the carefully prescribed education. In the U.S., it is essential to keep a separation of "church" and state. The constitution should protect people who have been abused by their communities. New York State has failed to carry out its due diligence in assuring children an education, victims of violent crime justice, and women who wish to divorce fair custody of their children. Whether it is corruption, intimidation, naïveté, or simple ignorance, similar hands-off treatment has allowed Scientology members to be tortured and robbed in the name of "religion". The parallels between "One of Us" and "Scientology the Aftermath" or "Going Clear" are jaw dropping. Humans are highly susceptible to brainwashing in its various forms, and intentional indoctrination within politics is but another locale. What else can explain the governor of Alabama choosing to vote for a Republican pedophile because a decent Democrat is one bridge too far? This is a grave vulnerability that fundamentally puts democracy and reality-based decision making at risk. Any country without a strong, uncorrupted body of laws and a population that is well trained to understand and uphold civil rights is ripe for destruction by forces that prey on its failings. Highly recommend.

Although this doesn't go as deep as it could into Hasidim's gross abuse of people, power, and government, it shines a small light into this modern day cult. I've seen first hand how this group can overthrow entire communities and violently ostracize its own. Just a few years ago a young woman who left the Hasidic community was left so unprepared, uneducated, and bullied by her own people that she stepped off the edge of building near me. I wish there was something to be done but, as the movie reveals, this group is almost impenetrable.

pretty good. the way it was edited is fascinating. i thought the doc missed some good info on the community. some positive and some negative info. not to say it focused too much on the three people but there was plenty of opportunity and time to give more insight int the community. and the way it was editted made me feel like they were dancing around diving in more. but thats probably just speculation.i say this because the two of the three people were pretty weird characters. they weren't very relatable people that made me feel very sympathetic for their plight. one was kind of a dick and the other had his head in the clouds. so it made it an uphill battle.

Required Viewing!!! This is one of the most shocking documentaries I've seen. Everyone should see this film! I had no idea life was like this in Hasidic communities. My heart is broken by Etty's story. I just had no clue this was happening in America.The documentary had such a powerful impact that I wanted to help these people. I immediately took steps to support Footsteps, and did further research to find other help groups for this community of "outsiders."

Terrific movie. The truths my mother always told me about that I never believed.

Very interesting, depressing and infuriating that in the name of God, under the guise of religion, such control and negative pressure is exerted on people, anywhere in the world but especially in a democratic society in North America. Organized religion is society?s most evil creation. This documentary is sensitive in revealing the harsh reality of a different world, unknown to many of us. Extremism and segregation are never good.

Heartbreaking, but I would have liked the director to expand the focus a bit more to give additional context on Hasidism.

Etty's story is heartwrenching and the love between her and her kids is inspiring.I liked this documentary, how they captured the heart of the story for each of the 3 individuals featured. Very powerful.

Very inspirational and highly recommended to watch!

Excellent peek into the incredibly insular fundamentalist world of Hasidic Jews.

Touching and powerful portrait of three Hasidim who dare to leave their insular community. If your heart doesn't hurt for these people, you don't have one. It is not anti-Semitic but it is anti-fundamentalist. See it for yourself and make up your own mind. Have a box of tissues nearby.