Channel 4 will debut a new three-part series on Marilyn Manson next week.
The series, Marilyn Manson: Unmasked, will air nightly from Tuesday, January 14, to Thursday, January 16, at 10 PM. According to the synopsis, it explores “the shocking story of one of rock music’s most polarizing figures,” covering his rise to fame and the “chilling abuse allegations that have engulfed his career.”
The first episode focuses on Brian Warner’s early days as Marilyn Manson, including his influence on American youth and the Columbine massacre, where he was unfairly blamed. Reflections from “early fans, collaborators and musicians” are featured, discussing the details and reflecting on the discourse surrounding the music scene and media, mass shootings, and the conflation of the two in the late 90's and early 2000's.
The second episode, titled Allegations Of Abuse, delves into abuse allegations against Manson. It includes testimonies from Evan Rachel Wood, best known for her acting in the HBO series Westworld, and other survivors. “I told my story,” says Wood. “But I was still just so terrified to name Brian because he still felt like he had all the power, and I had none.” This installment investigates the “patterns of control, manipulation, and violence” that accusers claim were part of Manson’s persona.
The final episode examines “the fallout from the allegations and their implications for the entertainment industry.” It covers lawsuits, investigations, police raids, and the broader impact of the #MeToo movement.
Some of the most recent developments of allegations involving Manson (legal name Brian Warner) include a dropping of Manson's defamation case against Evan Rachel Wood and paying her fees of at least $327,000. Following Wood's initial allegations which were made public in 2021, a multitude of women coming forward with their own accusations of abuse against the musician. As of the writing of this article, Manson still denies all allegations from Wood and others including model Ashely Morgan Smithline, actor Esmé Bianco and his ex-assistant Ashley Walters.
The logline for the first episode reads:
"From his meteoric rise as the self-proclaimed 'Antichrist Superstar' to the chilling abuse allegations that have engulfed his career, this series dives deep into Manson’s world to separate fact from fiction,"
"From his shocking stage antics to his offensive backstage behaviour, Manson became a lightning rod for moral panic. Accused by many of being a malign influence on American youth, he faced backlash for allegedly inspiring violence, including the Columbine High School massacre. Manson used the controversy to position himself as a misunderstood artist and an advocate for listening to disillusioned youth."
A trailer has been released for the upcoming documentary that can be viewed below. The episodes can be streamed from a multitude of streaming platforms, including Apple TV, Prime Video, and Paramount Plus, depending on the viewer's location.
