Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk

2018 • 96 minutes

About this movie

Actor Eric Stoltz’s feature film debut based on the book of the same name. Author Tony Dushane wrote a semi-autobiographical tale about coming of age during the Reagan years as a Jehovah’s Witness. His many humorous struggles with sexuality, discovering Punk Rock and Charles Bukowski led to a most tragic and liberating implosion.

Ratings and reviews

Saucy film about sex, and teenagers, and the 80's! A bold Indie Film that dares to break molds and made based on the book of the same title that was based on the authors true life experiences. It has a powerful message of surviving the cruelty of strict religions and of acceptance. I think it is a moving, humorous, and slightly naughty bit of cinema!

Captivating indie film. Most people don't know the Jehovas Witnesses are such a damaging and extremist sect of Christianity - this film captures the real life consequences of growing up in such a community. The acting is fabulous - Sasha Feldman and Nicholas Harsin are natural and a riot to watch - the pastors are dynamic and play off of the parents of the story beautifully. The film is not perfect though - Peter's death was not justified in any way (did parts of the script get cut?) and I would've liked to have seen more character development between Gabe and his mom.

I grew up in the JW cult in the same time as this. It's so real. I really felt like I was watching people I knew. Very accurate portrayal. All of it.