Going To Hell (2019)
Directed by Boris Sobolev · 2019 · Boris Sobolev, Marat Basharov, Sergey Safronov, Dariya Mironova, Anatoly Ledenev
Going To Hell (2019), directed by Boris Sobolev, is a hard-hitting documentary that investigates the inner workings of the psychic and fortune-telling industry in Russia and beyond. With a no-nonsense approach, the film exposes the mechanics behind televised psychic performances, private consultations, and the financial engines driving these services — naming real practitioners, revealing their pricing structures, and presenting documented evidence of their methods. Sobolev, who also appears on-screen, leads the investigation alongside actors Marat Basharov, Sergey Safronov, Dariya Mironova, Anatoly Ledenev, Natalya Banteeva, Ziraddin Rzaev, Mehdi Vafa, and real-life skeptic James Randi, whose presence lends credibility to the exposé. The tone is clinical yet urgent, blending investigative journalism with cinéma vérité style: interviews are unadorned, locations are mundane, and the camera lingers on receipts, contracts, and client testimonials. There are no dramatizations, no reenactments — only facts, names, and numbers. The film suits viewers who appreciate skeptical inquiry, media critique, and documentaries that challenge pseudoscience, akin to the tradition of Errol Morris or Michael Moore’s more factual works. It appeals to audiences weary of spiritual frauds and curious about how belief is commodified in the digital age.
Why it’s worth watching
Going To Hell (2019) is a rare documentary that refuses to speculate — it names names, cites prices, and shows receipts. Directed by Boris Sobolev and featuring real skeptic James Randi, it doesn’t just question psychics — it dismantles their business models with cold, verifiable evidence. For viewers tired of sensationalized paranormal programming, this film offers a sobering, fact-driven counter-narrative. Its 172-minute runtime allows depth without fluff, making it essential viewing for anyone interested in media manipulation, consumer deception, or the psychology of belief.
Trivia
- Directed by Boris Sobolev
- Released in 2019
- Runtime: 172 minutes
- Cast includes Boris Sobolev, Marat Basharov, Sergey Safronov, Dariya Mironova, Anatoly Ledenev, Natalya Banteeva, Ziraddin Rzaev, Mehdi Vafa, James Randi, and Eugenia Davitashvili
- Genre: Documentary