Louis Theroux: A Place for Paedophiles

Louis Theroux: A Place for Paedophiles

2009
Documentary
TV Movie
45m
Louis has gained access to Coalinga Mental Hospital in California, which houses more than 500 of the most disturbed criminals in America, convicted paedophiles. Most have already served lengthy prison sentences, but have been deemed unsafe for release. Instead, they have been sent here for an indefinite time. Spending time with those undergoing treatment, Louis wrestles with whether he can ever allow himself to believe men whose whole history is defined by deception and deceit. (BBC)
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Louis Theroux: A Place for Paedophiles

2009
Documentary
TV Movie
45m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 63.72% from 204 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(204)
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Rated 15 May 2010
9
93rd
An hour was too short but this is the most compelling Theroux doc that I've seen. Unlike some of his other work, which isn't very informative but rather more entertaining, this actually gives insight into a bizarre place I've never heard of and some really fucked up people. I feel bad for everyone who thinks they are gonna change them because obviously you aren't. I'm glad Louis gave them a chance to speak and not just label them as scum (which they are, but that would be too easy).
Rated 07 Apr 2010
8
90th
Needed to be longer.
Rated 15 Jun 2009
90
91st
Probably the most terrifying Louis Theroux documentary made to date. What's terrifying to me is that you can obviously see that there is a breach of justice going on with the paedophiles as they have served the jail time for their crime but, on the other hand, I can't honestly say I want the majority of them back on the street. The man being released in this production admits to so many other crimes that you know he would never be released if he was convicted of them. Terrifying.
Rated 07 Dec 2010
85
73rd
It's remarkable that, confronted with people who have committed some of the most heinous crimes imaginable, the main feeling you're left with after watching this Theroux piece is one of disgust at the unethical nature of the correctional facility itself. Oprah actually did a piece on a facility very similar to the Coalinga hospital that Louis is visiting here, so there are at least two such places in the US, and no doubt several more.
Rated 19 Oct 2011
65
71st
Raises numerous complex questions without quite pursuing them as far as it might have. Vividly portrays the nightmarish world of an institution built on crazed foundations in order to wish away a problem (that is, people) deemed too difficult and frightening to handle in any other way. The main impression is of the way in which, in such an institution, language functions as an instrument of control, leaving inmates the choice of either rejecting the process or learning to linguistically conform.
Rated 29 Jan 2010
55
47th
Theroux takes another step into direction of more serious documentaries. It feels as just a glimpse was taken at a very complicated issue.
Rated 24 Apr 2011
74
39th
Somewhat interesting; but mostly just cold, lifeless, and dull. But such is the nature of state facilities.
Rated 30 Jun 2009
62
59th
Every bit as interesting and insightful as I've come to expect from Theroux, but I can't help but feel that the subject deserves far more attention than this documentary's runtime allows.
Rated 25 Jul 2019
72
59th
Theroux does a great job of allowing you to pick your own emotions when you watch his documentaries. This place seems to be what most people say people who commit pedophilia deserve. But how would you feel to serve your time in prison only to be locked away again with no charge? From what is shown in the doc the people going through treatment are basically one step away from just being lobotomized to gain freedom.
Rated 25 Mar 2017
75
64th
Louis approaches this documentary without feeling he is going to change your opinion, but instead gives a terrifying glimpse of humanity to these men.
Rated 21 Aug 2013
75
65th
Depressing look at over-institutionalised people. There are more things wrong with the hospital as it is shown than I would even care to discuss.
Rated 18 Oct 2010
77
78th
Complex, compelling and frankly frightening!
Rated 27 Apr 2013
68
70th
It's important for audiences to see what they normally consider to be detestable monsters, and realize that they are human beings, caught between their own unacceptable urges and somewhat confused, even arbitrary correctional institutions.
Rated 23 Mar 2016
4
51st
This issue could use a lot more time. Feel like we barely got into why so many of them refuse the treatment. Also, it barely touched on how legal the place is since these people have already served their jail time.
Rated 06 Apr 2014
80
68th
Louis has an odd way of dealing with bias. He clearly goes into every doc with his opinion (in all fairness not that hard with pedos, meth heads, and the WBC) and often uses expressions and tone in a borderline mocking way, but then he shows an empathetic side of the subject through editing and letting people speak. This makes his docs come out more as a double edged sword than an unbiased examination which is ok because he doesn't seem willing to go to deep, just enough to be entertaining.
Rated 01 Mar 2014
4
91st
[As aired]
Rated 22 Jan 2013
85
86th
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3eLeDNK1fo&feature=share
Rated 25 Apr 2013
67
50th
Louis Theroux is a douche and spends half of the movie with an expression of disgust on his face, which slightly ruins the documentary. But otherwise it's chilling and it makes you think.
Rated 16 Jan 2012
83
73rd
A highly revealing documentary on a subject most people would rather shy away from. Theroux allows these prisoners(appropriate word?) to give their honest opinion on the institution and it's surprisingly negative.
Rated 17 May 2011
60
71st
Not as engaging as you're expecting it to be, A Place For Paedophiles seems to lose out in not really knowing what it's concentrating on. Is it the treatment? The illegal facility? The inmates and the lives they lead? The most disturbing issue - not covered at all in my recollection - is how far can a sexual preference be 'cured'? If it was homosexuality on the table there'd be outrage at even the suggestion. Forces you to look objectively at every aspect though, which is always a good thing.
Rated 09 Feb 2011
70
54th
Louis, amazing as always
Rated 07 Apr 2014
50
39th
That moment when all the pedos are singing the Adam's Family theme song
Rated 12 Dec 2010
52
76th
Theroux er næsten altid god - også denne gang, hvor han forsøger at komme ind bag nogle pædofile, men hvor det ikke lykkeds, sådanne mennesker er ganske enkelt i en anden verden...
Rated 09 Sep 2012
60
58th
Boring yet informative. Sometimes I get the feeling Louis injects himself and his opinions a little too much. He's kind of a douche.

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