Summary — A surprisingly thoughtful documentary that challenged my assumptions, even if it didn't fully explore the opposing perspective.
I went into Hail Satan? expecting something completely different, and it ended up being much better than I anticipated. The documentary taught me that The Satanic Temple isn't really about worshipping Satan, but about using provocative symbolism to advocate for secular principles and equal treatment under the law. I thought that was a creative and interesting way to make their point.
Some of the ritual imagery was still off-putting to me, and it's not something I personally connected with. But if the movement genuinely gives people a supportive community while promoting equality and humanistic values, I can see why it resonates with others.
My biggest criticism is that the documentary felt one-sided. Most of the people opposing The Satanic Temple were portrayed as irrational, and I would have liked to see a more thoughtful critic included. It would have been interesting to hear someone present a reasoned objection after the organization's beliefs and goals were explained clearly. That extra perspective would have made the documentary feel more balanced.