Watch Louis Theroux's Altered States: Take My Baby

Louis Theroux's Altered States: Take My Baby is a thought-provoking documentary that explores the complex and emotional world of surrogacy in the United States. The documentary follows Louis Theroux, a British journalist and filmmaker, as he delves into the lives of surrogates, intending parents, and agencies involved in the lucrative and morally ambiguous business of surrogacy.

The film begins with Louis meeting with an agency that specializes in surrogacy. He is introduced to Sarah, a surrogate who is currently carrying a baby for a couple she has never met. Sarah is excited about the prospect of helping a couple have a baby, but the process is not without its challenges. Louis accompanies Sarah to all her medical appointments and witnesses firsthand the grueling nature of the surrogacy process.

The documentary then follows Louis as he meets with several other surrogates and intending parents who share their stories of hope, disappointment, and ultimately, love. One intending parent, a gay man named Randy, shares his story of how he and his husband struggled to adopt a child before they turned to surrogacy. Randy's surrogate, Angela, also shares her story of how she was drawn to surrogacy after seeing a family member struggle with infertility.

Throughout the documentary, Louis also explores the complex legal and ethical issues surrounding surrogacy. He meets with surrogacy lawyers, who explain the different laws governing surrogacy in different states, and also visits a surrogacy conference, where intending parents and surrogates can meet and match.

One of the most harrowing stories Louis investigates is that of a surrogate who changed her mind and decided to keep the baby she was carrying for intending parents. This event rocked the surrogacy community and resulted in a lawsuit that changed the way surrogacy contracts were written in the state.

Louis also investigates the darker side of surrogacy, including the exploitation of surrogates by unscrupulous agencies, and the rise of 'baby factories' in developing countries, where surrogates are kept in substandard living conditions and paid little for their services.

The film is not without its emotional moments. Louis accompanies several intending parents as they meet their newborns for the first time, and also follows Sarah as she says goodbye to the baby she carried for nine months. The film raises important questions about the ethics and morality of surrogacy, and ultimately leaves it up to the viewer to decide whether surrogacy is a blessing or a curse for all involved.

Overall, Louis Theroux's Altered States: Take My Baby is a powerful documentary that takes a deep dive into the complicated and often misunderstood world of surrogacy. Louis Theroux's journalistic style is both empathetic and objective, and he handles the sensitive subject matter with care and compassion. The film is a must-see for anyone interested in the ethics of surrogacy, or for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of this fascinating and complex subject.