Michael Gasparro
Director
Shiny Happy People (2023)
A Teenage Holy War
Teen Mania captivated a generation of fervent evangelical Millennial kids with adrenaline-fueled, ecstatic religious experiences through "Acquire the Fire" rallies. But beneath the glittering surface lurked sadistic boot camps, staged martyrdom drills, and fascism disguised as faith - transforming innocent teens into fanatical soldiers, with devastating consequences still unfolding today.
Released June 1, 2023
Episode 47 min
14+
Genres: Documentary
Keywords: mdblist.has-trailer, mdblist.imdb-tv-mini-series, imdb.tv-mini-series, imdb.entertainment-documentary, imdb.christian-fundamentalism, imdb.large-family, imdb.arkansas + 79 more, imdb.family-secret, imdb.conservative-morals, imdb.sexual-abuse, imdb.child-pornography, imdb.home-schooling, imdb.quiverfull-movement, imdb.patriarchy, imdb.baptist, imdb.fame, imdb.ministry, imdb.family-relationships, imdb.christian, imdb.evangelical, imdb.fundamentalism, imdb.conservative-family, imdb.child-molestation, imdb.strict-parents, imdb.sexual-repression, imdb.pedophilia, imdb.incest, imdb.trauma, imdb.abuse, imdb.conservative, imdb.courtship, imdb.sexual-harassment, imdb.obedience, imdb.authority, imdb.cousin, imdb.physical-abuse, imdb.child-abuse, imdb.corporal-punishment, imdb.spanking, imdb.religion, imdb.no-birth-control, imdb.advanced-training-institute, tmdb.pedophilia, tmdb.child-abuse, tmdb.sexual-abuse, tmdb.cult, tmdb.patriarchy, tmdb.arkansas, tmdb.childhood-trauma, tmdb.child-pornography, tmdb.right-wing-extremism, tmdb.domestic-abuse, tmdb.conservative, tmdb.homeschooling, tmdb.brainwashing, tmdb.pedophile, tmdb.evangelical-christianity, tmdb.religious-fundamentalism, tmdb.child-molester, tmdb.sexual-repression, tmdb.child-labor, tmdb.misogyny, tmdb.religious-cult, tmdb.marital-rape, tmdb.child-molestation, tmdb.corporal-punishment, tmdb.sexual-assault, tmdb.authoritarianism, tmdb.traumatic-childhood, tmdb.religious-propaganda, tmdb.sexual-predator, tmdb.large-family, tmdb.traumatized-child, tmdb.child-sexual-abuse, tmdb.prosperity-gospel, tmdb.christian-faith, tmdb.reality-star, tmdb.reality-show, tmdb.christian-nationalism, tmdb.culture-war, tmdb.institute-in-basic-life-principles-iblp, tmdb.spiritual-abuse, imdb.docuseries-documentary, mdblist.amazon-original, imdb.faith, tmdb.reality-tv
Watch Providers: Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Production Companies: Amazon Studios, The Cinemart, Story Force, Chick Entertainment
Network: Prime Video
Country: United States
Languages:
English,
Spanish
10.0
S2E1 - Acquire the Fire
In the explosive opener, Teen Mania emerges as millennial America's radical evangelical youth movement. Charismatic founder Ron Luce dazzles with "Acquire the Fire" - pyrotechnic stadium revivals where teens pledge their lives to spiritual revolution. Beneath the rock-concert worship and adrenaline-fueled Christian missions, Luce is assembling his army of true believers.
July 23, 2025, midnight
10.0
S2E2 - Consumed by the Call
Teen Mania's Honor Academy subjects its eager young recruits to brutal bootcamp tactics and endless hours in a massive call center as teenage telemarketers for Jesus, facing crushing quotas while enduring strict purity rules. Terrifying "End Times" simulations complete with mock executions create trauma disguised as spiritual transformation, forging young martyrs ready to die for their faith.
July 23, 2025, midnight
10.0
S2E3 - BattleCry
Teen Mania goes to new extremes with BattleCry, a hyper-militant culture war campaign. An evangelical pied piper, Luce leads the children into politically volatile protests. Meanwhile, interns collapse under grueling conditions and alumni begin speaking out, leading to Teen Mani's explosive demise. But the army Ron trained fights on, with devastating consequences still unfolding today.
July 23, 2025, midnight
Network: Prime Video
Episode Runtime: 47 min.
Season Runtime: 330 min.
Released: June 1, 2023
Last Air Date: July 23, 2025, midnight
Status: Returning Series
Certification: TV-14
Common sense age: 14+
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