The Most Hated Family in America

The Most Hated Family in America features Louis Theroux’s journey into the world of the Westboro Baptist Church, a controversial religious group based in Topeka, Kansas. Led by Fred Phelps, this small organization has gained notoriety for its extreme views and provocative protests.

Theroux spends time with the Phelps family, who form the core of the church, interviewing key figures including Fred Phelps and his daughter, Shirley Phelps-Roper. The documentary showcases the church’s beliefs, which center around the idea that the United States government is immoral due to its tolerance of homosexuality. This conviction leads them to engage in highly controversial activities, such as protesting at funerals of U.S. military personnel killed in action, carrying signs with inflammatory messages.

Throughout the film, Theroux attempts to understand the family’s ideology and the power dynamics within the church. He observes how the Phelps family has created its own unique worldview, passing it down through generations. It reveals the complex nature of the group, showing how members can be both kind in personal interactions and extreme in their public actions and beliefs.

The film also touches on the church’s use of the internet to spread its message, operating websites with provocative names that express condemnation of various groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals, Catholics, Muslims, and Jews. Despite their extreme views, Theroux finds that many of the second and third-generation members are surprisingly personable, highlighting the paradoxical nature of the group.

By presenting an intimate look at the Westboro Baptist Church, the documentary provides insight into the workings of one of America’s most controversial religious groups, shedding light on the power of family influence and the potential consequences of literal biblical interpretation.