Ex-member of Netflix’s ‘Unchosen’ cult reveals ”rules, isolation and homophobia”
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A man who grew up inside the religious sect that inspired Netflix’s ‘Unchosen’ has lifted the lid on its ”rules, isolation and homophobia”.
Ben Woodbury, 35, was born into the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church in Windsor, Australia, before leaving the group in 2016 at the age of 24.
He had previously come out as gay six years earlier.
The Netflix series, starring Sex Education actor Asa Butterfield, explores life inside a tightly controlled Christian splinter group – themes Ben says he found uncomfortably familiar.
According to Ben, his upbringing was marked by intense social isolation, rigid behavioural rules, and persistent homophobia, including repeated attempts to make him “pray the gay away”.
He also describes strict gender roles, enforced confessions, fear of “unclean” influences, and constant pressure to obey church leadership – all elements he says are reflected in the drama’s storyline.
Ben believes the parallels run deep, claiming he has identified more than 70 similarities between his own lived experience and the events portrayed in the series.
Ben, an antique store owner from Windsor, Australia, said: “Watching the show felt like a throat punch- like I was right back there.
“I knew what the show was about but had no idea they’d used Plymouth Brethren as inspiration until I started noticing all the similarities.
“I wasn’t allowed to watch any movies, listen to music or communicate with non-members when I was part of the Brethren Church, and the way they conveyed that felt very true to my experience.
“It was definitely a difficult watch, like eating a really tough steak, but I knew watching it could help me and others.”
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