A harrowing and deeply unsettling two-part documentary, "See No Evil", sheds light on the sinister life of John Smyth, a seemingly respectable Anglican priest who was one of Britain's most prolific serial abusers. The film masterfully weaves together the testimonies of Smyth's victims, many of whom are still grappling with the trauma inflicted upon them as boys.
Smyth's modus operandi was to groom young boys in his care, often using a charismatic and fatherly persona to gain their trust, before subjecting them to brutal physical abuse. The most disturbing aspect of his crimes, however, lay in the post-abuse ritual he would perform on his victims - drenching them with adult nappies and showering them with affectionate kisses.
The documentary also delves into Smyth's extensive network of influential connections within the Church of England, including a stint as a respected barrister and prominent Christian evangelist. His position afforded him countless opportunities to exploit his powers of persuasion and manipulate others, further entrenching his sadistic behavior.
One of the most striking aspects of "See No Evil" is its thoughtful exploration of the complex web of accountability that surrounds Smyth's crimes. The film shines a light on the institutional failures and cover-ups that enabled Smyth's abuse to persist for so long, including the case of Justin Welby, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, who was aware of Smyth's severity but failed to act.
The documentary also touches upon the deeply disturbing dynamics within Smyth's family, where his abusive behavior was normalized and even romanticized. His wife, Anne, is portrayed as complicit in her own role in enabling his crimes, while their children struggled with their father's volatile temper and toxic influence.
Ultimately, "See No Evil" offers a searing indictment of the systemic failures that allowed Smyth to continue abusing his position for so long. The documentary is both a harrowing tribute to the survivors who have spoken out against Smyth and a powerful critique of the Church's inadequate response to abuse allegations. It is a necessary and deeply unsettling watch, one that will leave viewers shaken but ultimately hopeful for justice and accountability.
Smyth's modus operandi was to groom young boys in his care, often using a charismatic and fatherly persona to gain their trust, before subjecting them to brutal physical abuse. The most disturbing aspect of his crimes, however, lay in the post-abuse ritual he would perform on his victims - drenching them with adult nappies and showering them with affectionate kisses.
The documentary also delves into Smyth's extensive network of influential connections within the Church of England, including a stint as a respected barrister and prominent Christian evangelist. His position afforded him countless opportunities to exploit his powers of persuasion and manipulate others, further entrenching his sadistic behavior.
One of the most striking aspects of "See No Evil" is its thoughtful exploration of the complex web of accountability that surrounds Smyth's crimes. The film shines a light on the institutional failures and cover-ups that enabled Smyth's abuse to persist for so long, including the case of Justin Welby, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, who was aware of Smyth's severity but failed to act.
The documentary also touches upon the deeply disturbing dynamics within Smyth's family, where his abusive behavior was normalized and even romanticized. His wife, Anne, is portrayed as complicit in her own role in enabling his crimes, while their children struggled with their father's volatile temper and toxic influence.
Ultimately, "See No Evil" offers a searing indictment of the systemic failures that allowed Smyth to continue abusing his position for so long. The documentary is both a harrowing tribute to the survivors who have spoken out against Smyth and a powerful critique of the Church's inadequate response to abuse allegations. It is a necessary and deeply unsettling watch, one that will leave viewers shaken but ultimately hopeful for justice and accountability.
just watched "See No Evil" and I'm still reeling 
from what I saw... it's so messed up how some ppl in power could just enable abuse like this is going on & nobody does anything about it 
Smyth's story is literally chilling 
I mean, who would've thought a priest could be a serial abuser? 
And the way he used his charisma to lure kids in... 
it gives me chills just thinking about it 
The doco does an amazing job of exposing all the cover-ups & systemic failures that let him get away with it for so long 
I'm so grateful that survivors are speaking out now 
and that "See No Evil" is shining a light on this dark topic 
I MEAN, WHO KNEW THAT A PRIEST COULD BE SUCH A MONSTER?! IT'S LIKE, HE WAS PRESENTING HIMSELF AS SOME KIND OF FATHER FIGURE, BUT REALLY HE WAS JUST A CHILD ABUSER. AND THE FACT THAT HE HAD THOSE INFLUENTIAL CONNECTIONS WITHIN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND... IT JUST MAKES YOU WONDER HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE WERE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY HIM. 
I'm still reeling from this documentary and thinking about all the ways it made me feel uncomfortable 
. I mean, who knew that someone in such a powerful position could be capable of such heinous crimes? The way Smyth used his charm and charisma to lure in kids is just heartbreaking 
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. It's not just about punishing Smyth, it's about making sure that something like this can never happen again 
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. It's like they were all enabling each other's toxic behavior 
. I mean, how could Anne be complicit in her husband's crimes? It's just not right 
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. But at the same time, it's been really eye-opening and thought-provoking 
. How can the same hand that holds power also hold poison? The web of protection surrounding such atrocities is as intricate as it is suffocating. We're reminded again that abuse of trust knows no bounds, nor does accountability 
and what's even more disturbing is that his wife seemed to be in on it too anne smyth's behavior is so creepy 
. It makes me wonder about all the other men in positions of power who might be hiding their darker sides. The Church's response to Smyth was absolutely appalling, it's like they were trying to cover up his crimes rather than support the victims 
. Anyone else seen "See No Evil"? 
. Justin Welby, the Archbishop, is especially guilty by association 
. And what's even worse is that Smyth's family enabled his behavior and even romanticized it... that's just disgusting 
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. It's time we hold people in power accountable for their actions, especially when it comes to protecting vulnerable kids 
anyway, I think this doc is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the depth of abuse and its impact on survivors 
his whole persona was fake and he used it to manipulate people into doing what he wanted ... and the part where they talk about him using diapers on his victims is just disturbing af 
it's not okay that he got away with it for so long and the fact that some ppl still don't think about their actions speaks volumes 
. The fam dynamic is wild too, its like they r all in on it together 
, its the least they deserve after whats been done 2 them 
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. It's a tough watch, but ultimately necessary if we're going to hold people like Smyth accountable for their actions 
. No, he's not respected, he's a monster 
. The way the documentary highlights the systemic failures and cover-ups is so important, because it shows that this wasn't an isolated incident 
. I'm just glad that the survivors are speaking out and seeking justice 
. It's so easy to say we should've seen the signs, but the more I think about it, the more I realize how complex it all is 
. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it all... 
. Smyth's victims are still dealing with the trauma all these years later, and it's just heartbreaking. The way he used his position to manipulate and exploit others is just mind-boggling. And those adults who enabled him, like his wife and Justin Welby? No wonder the Church of England has such a bad rep when they can't even protect their own 
. it's not just Smyth's actions that are the problem, but the whole system that allowed him to get away with it for so long