‘Teen Torture, Inc.’ on Max: Aiming to Expose the “Troubled Teen Industry”

Teen Torture, Inc., now streaming on Max, is the latest docuseries to explore the “troubled teen industry” (TTI), a patchwork of programs that claim to treat adolescents labeled as difficult or delinquent. Produced and directed by Tara Malone, this three-part series features participants who identify as survivors of these programs, such as Danielle “Bhad Bhabie” Bregoli. Her viral moment on Dr. Phil in 2016 led to her being sent into the TTI trenches. Despite disclaimers and a denial of participation from Dr. Phil, the docuseries brings forth the perspective that the troubled teen industry is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise heavily criticized for its methods.

“All teens, from the beginning of time, have been considered troubled. It’s all about fear,” states the opening of Teen Torture, Inc. accompanied by a supercut of scenes from the series. The footage includes news reports about the troubled teen industry, inside facility videos, and a drill sergeant-like figure yelling in a teen’s face. This sets the tone of the series, suggesting that these places are not about therapy or wellness but are full of “sociopaths who like torturing people,” keeping kids locked up for profit.

Featuring footage from a 2022 press conference, Teen Torture, Inc. shows Paris Hilton denouncing her time at Provo Canyon, a major player in Utah’s troubled youth therapy industry. Extensive interviews with Jen Robinson, who claims to have been held captive at Provo for three years, reveal alleged sexual assault and suicidal ideation resulting from her stay.

“What we call the troubled teen industry,” says author and TTI survivor Evan Wright, “is really this kind of grab-bag of all these different programs.” These range from labor camps and wilderness therapy to faith-based initiatives and secretive private operations, highlighting the industry’s unregulated nature. Parents signing over custody rights and limited government oversight create a situation where kids cannot escape, culminating in incidents like Robinson’s alleged assault, which she claims was blamed on her by the staff.

The docuseries features many powerful personal accounts but also relies heavily on stilted reenactments and repeated use of stock footage. Though evocative, these moments sometimes lack immediate factual backing. Similar shows include Netflix’s The Program: Cons, Cults & Kidnapping and the documentary This Is Paris, where Paris Hilton elaborates on her Provo Canyon School experience. Other docuseries delve into the Synanon cult, such as HBO’s The Synanon Fix.

The narrative touches upon the “tough love” methodology dating back generations. The docuseries underscores how parents, unsure or frustrated with their adolescent children, outsourced their management to these programs. The survivors’ harrowing accounts detail the physical and emotional abuse endured, reminiscent of high-security prisons. However, the series feels one-sided since it lacks input from the TTI organizations. Despite efforts to get their accounts, their absence lends a somewhat sensational tone to the narrative.

Teen Torture, Inc. does not shy away from describing sexual assaults, forced strip searches, and human confinement. For instance, survivor and author Evan Wright’s startling comparison of his experience at a program called Seed to a “cultish, Lord of the Flies experiment” funded by the federal government is compelling. Yet, the myriad disclaimers that follow these statements either from non-participants or those disputing the allegations, complicate the viewer’s interpretation.

Danielle Bregoli’s appearance on Dr. Phil might have catapulted her to viral fame, but in Teen Torture, Inc., she provides candid insights. She suggests that the approach Dr. Phil took escalated her situation, saying, “If he would’ve brought me out by myself to talk to me first, it would’ve gone way different.”

High profile attorney Gloria Allred, who represents a woman alleging sexual assault at Turn-About Ranch, emphasizes the lack of governmental oversight and the potential dangers parents unknowingly expose their children to when relinquishing custody to these programs. “Many people at so-called treatment centers are not licensed mental health or medical professionals,” she warns, underscoring the risks involved.

Teen Torture, Inc. is a strong watch for those interested in the grim realities of the troubled teen industry, despite its one-sided portrayal. The series adds to the growing narrative on this troubling subject.

Source: Max