The 2024 documentary film ‘Bad Actor: A Hollywood Ponzi Scheme’ by Joslyn Jensen also concentrates on the life of Zachary Horwitz, an actor that has become known for one of the most infamous Ponzi schemes in Hollywood. As Zach Avery, Horwitz managed to swindle nearly $700Million from investors by making ot sounds like he had profitable deals of distributing his movies through top notch streaming platforms like HBO and Netflix.
Synopsis
The movie traces the evolution of Horwitz from being a self-employed actor to being a convicted swindler. The family’s ambitions and aspiration for fame pushed him to deceive his circle with fake deals and new investments brought in to repay earlier investors in a Ponzi scheme-like fashion. The docufilm covers in detail the specifics of how he managed to commit a whole range of fraud against his victims and the aftermath of that on his victims.
Cast & Crew
- Director: Joslyn Jensen
- Writers: David Darg, Joslyn Jensen, Shea Weekley
- Cast:
- Hannah Elizabeth Alexander as Auditioner
- Zach Avery as Himself (archive footage)
- Emily Beth Beacham as Mallory
- Robert Jumper as Zach
IMDb Ratings
As of now, “Bad Actor: A Hollywood Ponzi Scheme” holds a rating of 7.5 out of 10 on IMDb, based on user reviews.
Personal Insights
This documentary highlights well the glamour and the downsides of ambition in Hollywood. By means of interviews and reenactments, the picture of Horwitz’s dishonesty and the consequences for the people deceived are convincingly portrayed. A film with an excellent belt warns how excessive desire for success may lead, and how effortlessly trust can be taken advantage of.
Cultural Significance
“The Taste of Power focuses on the savage madness of the entertainment industry itself; the unbearable emptiness that debris of monsters brings, who is ready to sell his own mother to satisfy his hunger for recognition. It also fortifies the discourse of other related issues and questions all the principles of due diligence and deferred disbelief, even when in the face of apparently proper opportunities. This extent of the film addresses the general thematic concern on the issue of economic swindling within and outside the Hollywood setting.
Availability
“Bad Actor: A Hollywood Ponzi Scheme” is now available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
In case you are a fan of real crime and how Hollywood truly operates, this film will be engaging and informative.
