The documentary profiles eight former members of the Church of Scientology, exploring the psychological impact of blind faith, how the church attracts new followers and keeps hold of its A-list celebrity devotees. Following the Peabody Award-winning documentary Mea Maxima Culpa, his investigation into the Catholic Church, Gibney dives fully into one of the most secretive religions in the world in Going clear, exploring what members of Scientology are willing to do in the name of religion. The film touches on a wide range of aspects of the church from its origin, to an intimate portrait of the Church's founder L. Ron Hubbard, to its recruiting practices, to present day practices by church officials.