Follow the Leader sees Jamali Maddix go to the US to spend time with vigilante paedophile hunters, Colombia to learn more about passport bros, Chicago to make sense of the city's gang scene and Pennsylvania to meet a pastor known as King Bullethead. It's enjoyably old school—not peppered with awkward set-ups, made by a crew who can fit in one car, and very often the subjects say something so unexpected or do something so weird that it's genuinely jarring and it feels refreshing.
The problem possibly started with Netflix five years ago, when they figured that the key to documentary success was adding layers and layers of gloss: beautifully lit 4K to-camera interviews with everyone involved, editing upon editing upon editing, eight episodes of storytelling for four episodes' worth of story. This works when the central engine has, say, Joe Exotic in it, but recent attempts to repeat the trick have resulted in some very overblown, overtold stories.
We've overcomplicated it. Sometimes you really just need two cameras and a person with charm. Follow the Leader always remembers to approach its subjects with an understanding rather than just pointing at them and saying 'bit weird, aren't they?'. This nuanced perspective allows for a more engaging and thoughtful exploration of its topics, setting it apart from many contemporary documentaries.
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