When faith turns deadly: A true story of obedience and betrayal
On a freezing night in January 2004, gunshots shatter the calm of a tiny Swedish village. A young woman is murdered, and her neighbour survives multiple gunshot wounds. As police scramble to make sense of the shocking crime, suspicions, lies, and contradictions emerge.
Pray, Obey, Kill delves into the small Pentecostal congregation at the center of the tragedy, exposing a hierarchy of manipulation, blind faith, and fanatical devotion. Through the investigation, the trial, and access to previously unseen evidence, journalists uncover the hidden motivations behind the murders, the psychological control exerted over the young “Bride of Christ,” and the lingering consequences for the community.
This gripping true crime series combines courtroom drama, investigative journalism, and an intimate portrait of a community where faith and power collide, ultimately revealing how extreme belief can lead to devastating acts.
Genres
True Crime, Documentary
Duration
6 x 45'
Language
Swedish
Contributor
Ashley Adler, Anton Berg, Martin Johnson, Helge Fossmo
Director
Henrik Georgsson
Scriptwriter
Henrik Georgsson, Anton Berg, Martin Johnson
Producer
Ruth Reid
Commissioning Broadcaster
HBO Max
Pray, Obey, Kill is directed by Henrik Georgsson, one of Scandinavia’s most acclaimed directors, known for international hits including The Bridge, The Girl Who Played with Fire, Grace, End of Summer, Wisting, and Marcella. The series is created and written by Anton Berg, an award-winning journalist, radio producer, and author. Berg is the co-creator of the hugely popular true crime podcast Spår and has received multiple prizes for his work on P3 Dokumentär.Martin Johnson, writer, journalist, and radio producer, co-created Spår with Anton Berg. He has worked with Sveriges Radio, NRK, and the BBC, and has won several national and international awards, including Stora Radiopriset and a Gold Medal at the New York Festivals. Johnson has also written acclaimed radio drama, including Darknet, co-written with Jens Lapidus.