Stolen Youth - Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence

[Anonymous]

New 3 episode documentary on Hulu - has anyone watched?

[Anonymous]

Just finished Episode 1. It’s exceptional and heartbreaking.

[Anonymous]

Also finished episode 1. So far, very good

[Anonymous]

I didn't follow the case when it was in the news, so I was watching with my mouth hanging open. These people are crazypants. Who the hell would move into a one bedroom apartment with like 6 or 7 other people, one of whom is your college friend's father?! I think once he got them there he was drugging them, especially the older sister med student.

[Anonymous]

I plan to watch it this weekend.

If you haven't read the article in The Cut about it, that's a good read. I believe one of the guys involved has also written a book.

[Anonymous]

I remember when the first big article about this came out. I had a really hard time following that article. It was such a convoluted story. On screen it’s just heartbreaking. I’m very curious about Claudia’s story, but absolutely understand and respect her choice not to share it.

I’m actively trying NOT to come away from these kinds of documentaries thinking “That could never be me!” But like…I’m pretty sure it could never be me! I’m sure there are studies about what makes someone like Isabella or Felicia fall under a cult leader’s thrall and what makes someone like Raven immediately see through the bullshit. I hope I’m a Raven.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember when the first big article about this came out. I had a really hard time following that article. It was such a convoluted story. On screen it’s just heartbreaking. I’m very curious about Claudia’s story, but absolutely understand and respect her choice not to share it.

I’m actively trying NOT to come away from these kinds of documentaries thinking “That could never be me!” But like…I’m pretty sure it could never be me! I’m sure there are studies about what makes someone like Isabella or Felicia fall under a cult leader’s thrall and what makes someone like Raven immediately see through the bullshit. I hope I’m a Raven.

Here is the article https://www.thecut.com/article/larry-ray-sarah-lawrence-students.html agree it was a convoluted story and better explained in the Hulu doc. Still hard to understand that smart kids could be so susceptible to his BS

[Anonymous]

I had only a superficial understanding of what happened until I watched this documentary. It was mesmerizing.

I really felt for each of the young adults, even Isabelle. They came through a traumatic experience and seem to be moving forward. Felicia's experience was exceptionally heartbreaking.

These cult leader narcissists all follow the same script. Look for vulnerable individuals, tear them down and away from others and become their only lifeline. Oh, and the weir control over food intake.

[Anonymous]

My heart breaks for the one who was in medical school. Her victim impact statement was an absolute gut punch. She hasn’t been able to finish her residency, get licensed or practice and she wrote how awful she felt not being able to help during COVID.

[Anonymous]

Just finished episode 2, which was tough to watch with the physical violence and the bad emotional state of the victims.

[Anonymous]

Just finished the whole thing.

I am pretty much speechless. I really knew nothing about it except some dad was living in a dorm and had sex with some of the kids.

This...is much more than that. Totally heartbreaking. I also can't believe all of the access they got to make this not to mention actual recordings of him. I had to fast forward through most of them.

[Anonymous]

The documentary actually makes clear that there were several kids who were NOT susceptible to Larry's bullshit: Raven, Julianna, Max were all highly suspicious and had no problem telling that something was off from the very beginning.

It seemed to me that the kids with low self esteem were vulnerable to his "love bombing" in the beginning. Following the period of love bombing, he then began the narcissistic abuse. I like to think that I would be immune, but really, we all have a threshhold for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The documentary actually makes clear that there were several kids who were NOT susceptible to Larry's bullshit: Raven, Julianna, Max were all highly suspicious and had no problem telling that something was off from the very beginning.

It seemed to me that the kids with low self esteem were vulnerable to his "love bombing" in the beginning. Following the period of love bombing, he then began the narcissistic abuse. I like to think that I would be immune, but really, we all have a threshhold for this.

That one family lost all 3 of their kids to it. So insane.

And, yeah, I liked Raven. She is like everyone I know in my friend group in college—-like WTF?! This guy is messed up. This situation is messed up. The school does not look good in this situation, especially ignoring Claudia’s email.

[Anonymous]

It wasn't even his apt. in NYC. There was one short interview with one of his lawyers who said it was his apt, and that Larry had asked to crash on the couch and then took over the apt. How did that happen? I'm only on episode 2- do they address that later?

[Anonymous]

I believe the school was sued and paid $$$$.