‘teen Torture, Inc.’ Review: In The Troubled Teen Industry, Major Profits And Major Allegations Of Abuse

In “Teen Torture, Inc.,” the three-part documentary on Max about abuses children and adolescents have survived at various boarding schools, boot camps and religious programs intended to curb rebellious behavior, a phrase comes up again and again: The troubled teen industry. It’s an industry. That’s a chilling reality describing what author Evan Wright calls a “grab bag of all these different programs based on the idea that no matter what it takes, we’re gonna make these kids follow the rules because what they’re doing is so dangerous, it will destroy their lives.” In many cases, the abuse is the treatment. Director Tara Malone talks to a handful of now-adult survivors who recall, in detail, their harrowing experiences.