A new HBO miniseries, Bring Me the Beauties, directed by Chris Smith, delves into the little-known story of Eternal Values, a cult founded in the 1980s by Frederick von Mierers that primarily attracted models. Smith, known for documentaries on Jim Carrey, Andy Kaufman, and the Fyre Festival, became intrigued after meeting former male supermodel Hoyt Richards, a former member who became the series' central figure.
The series explores how the group, which promoted peak physical performance and a new-age philosophy, ensnared its members. Smith noted the challenge of finding participants, as many were reluctant to speak. Over years, he built trust, revealing that former members were “incredibly thoughtful, insightful, articulate people” who provided nuanced accounts of their experiences.
Eternal Values combined 80s new-age trends with more menacing elements, especially after von Mierers' death in the 1990s, when the group attempted to maintain control over Richards' life. The documentary draws parallels to modern organizations, including Scientology, and contemporary influencer-driven phenomena like wellness and “looksmaxxing,” suggesting von Mierers would have thrived in the age of social media.
The series also stands out for its archival footage, including clips from von Mierers' own public access show. Smith intentionally preserved the degraded, retro quality of the video to evoke the era. “I wanted it to feel like you were being transported back to that time,” he said, emphasizing the role of 80s and 90s New York as a character in the story.
