Watch J.R. Bob Dobbs and the Church of the SubGenius

J.R. Bob Dobbs and the Church of the SubGenius is a 2019 documentary film directed by Sandy K. Boone that explores the history and impact of the Church of the SubGenius, a parody religion that emerged in the 1980s. The film features interviews with the movement's founders, as well as its devoted members and followers, and examines the cultural and social ramifications of this unique and subversive movement.

The Church of the SubGenius was founded in the late 1970s by a group of counterculture artists and writers, including Doug Smith (aka Reverend Ivan Stang) and Steve Wilcox (aka Dr. Philo Drummond). As a reaction to the dominant themes of mainstream religion and culture, the SubGenius movement sought to create a new kind of religion that would parody and subvert established beliefs and institutions.

The SubGenius movement quickly gained a following among the disaffected and disillusioned youth of the 1980s, who were drawn to the movement's irreverent humor and skepticism of authority. The film explores the various manifestations of this movement, from its early days as a zine and prankster collective to its later adoption of more mainstream media, such as television and the internet.

Throughout the film, the viewer is treated to a series of interviews with various key figures within the SubGenius movement, including its founders, key members, and longtime devotees. These interviews provide an intimate and detailed picture of the movement's origins, as well as its ethos and evolution over time.

One of the key themes of the film is the question of whether the SubGenius movement is truly a religion, or merely a parody of one. While some of the movement's followers believe deeply in its teachings and embrace it as a spiritual practice, others see it more as a joke or a performance art piece. The film explores this tension in depth, and raises provocative questions about the nature of belief and the role of parody in contemporary culture.

Another major theme of the film is the question of why the SubGenius movement has endured for so long. Despite its niche status and controversial reputation, the movement has managed to attract a devoted following that continues to this day. Through interviews with some of these followers, the film explores the various ways in which the SubGenius movement has impacted their lives and worldviews.

Overall, J.R. Bob Dobbs and the Church of the SubGenius is a fascinating and engaging documentary that offers a unique glimpse into one of the most unusual and subversive cultural movements of the past few decades. Through its interviews, archival footage, and insightful analysis, the film offers a rich and textured portrait of a movement that continues to defy categorization and challenge our assumptions about the nature of belief and culture.

J.R. Bob Dobbs and the Church of the SubGenius is a 2020 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes.