Based on Lawrence Wright’s exposé of Scientology, Going Clear is a jaw-dropping, bonkers piece of journalism. Piling engrossing, sometimes salacious details sky high, Alex Gibney traces the story back to the movement’s origins in the pulp fiction of the postwar era and its founder L. Ron Hubbard’s bizarre melding of psychology, celebrity worship, and sci fi. It locates vivid details with some of the organization’s apostates, who had intimate knowledge of its inner workings. Mixed in with the fascistic imagery—nothing can quite prepare you for the Albert Speer–inspired stagecraft of Scientology gatherings or its enforcement squad, “the squirrel busters”—are tabloid-like revelations about Tom Cruise and John Travolta. The film gives insight into why intelligent, curious individuals can allow themselves to be degraded. Going Clear is scary-good. (PS)