Inside ‘Scientology speedruns,’ the viral trend prompting the church to bolster security – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pixabay)
Los Angeles — Groups of young people in outlandish costumes have repeatedly stormed Church of Scientology buildings on Hollywood Boulevard, turning sacred spaces into playgrounds for viral videos. The trend, dubbed “Scientology speedruns,” mimics video game challenges where participants race through properties to map interiors and gather details. Local police have investigated incidents as potential hate crimes, while the church reported an injury to staff during one breach. What began as online amusement now prompts tangible security upgrades amid growing concerns.
Inside the Chaos of a Live Speedrun
Ericka Buensuceso strolled Hollywood Boulevard on a recent Saturday when she spotted an alien, two hot dogs, and Jesus converging on the Church of Scientology information center. The costumed figures joined others in a dash to breach the building, filming their frantic exploration for TikTok. Buensuceso, who had discussed the trend earlier that day, felt an instant thrill. “I felt an adrenaline rush because I was like, ‘No way this is happening right now for me,'” she recounted.
Her video captured over a dozen youths forcing entry, a scene repeated in numerous posts. The participants, often appearing as teenagers, navigated past initial barriers before church staff ejected them. Such events unfolded rapidly, blending youthful exuberance with defiance of property rules. Witnesses described the intruders slipping by security guards and workers, only to face swift pushback moments later.
Security Measures Tighten in Response
The Church of Scientology acted decisively this week by removing all external door handles from its Hollywood Boulevard facilities. Los Angeles police confirmed responses to multiple incidents over the past month, including the one Buensuceso observed. One breach led to medical attention for an injured staff member, heightening the church’s alarm.
Spokesperson David Bloomberg emphasized the gravity in a statement to reporters. “These are peaceful spaces designed to welcome parishioners, visitors and members of the public,” he said. “Turning them into targets for viral stunts is not journalism, protest or civic activity. It is trespass, harassment and disruption of religious facilities.” The changes signal a shift from open access to fortified defenses, reflecting the trend’s persistent pressure.
The Trend’s Origins and Viral Spread
Scientology speedruns emerged in early April, exploding across TikTok within weeks. Users film themselves entering church-owned or affiliated properties, often in costumes, to “speedrun” layouts and uncover operational details. The video game term applies to completing tasks swiftly, here focused on exploration rather than destruction. Hollywood Boulevard has emerged as a hotspot, drawing crowds eager for content.
Charley Tenorio, a 20-year-old actor nearby, watched one group bypass guards from across the street. “I saw them go inside. They passed the security guard, they passed multiple of the workers,” he recalled. Online commentary ranges from jokes about spotting celebrities like Tom Cruise to simple declarations of fun. The church, founded on L. Ron Hubbard’s teachings from his 1950 book “Dianetics,” maintains a high-profile image that fuels such intrigue.
Why Young Creators Chase the Thrill
Motivations remain elusive, rooted in Gen Z and younger generations’ affinity for absurd “brain rot” content. Participants revel in the nonsense, with one commenter dismissing deeper intent: “because it’s fun.” Ahsem Kabir, a local musician, finds humor in the antics despite acknowledging their illegality. “I do get entertainment out of the speedruns. I think it’s pretty funny,” he said, noting how it enhances the church’s enigmatic reputation.
Buensuceso pegged the Hollywood intruders as high school or middle school age, citing their looks and antics. The trend thrives on social media’s reward for chaos, amplifying meaningless acts into cultural moments. Older observers puzzle over the appeal, searching for layers in what feels purely juvenile. Yet its persistence underscores a broader shift in how youth engage with institutions online and off.
Broader Implications for Faith and Digital Culture
As speedruns continue, tensions mount between viral fame and religious sanctity. Police scrutiny as hate crimes adds legal weight, potentially deterring participants. The church’s adaptations, like handle removals, reshape public interaction with its spaces. Hollywood’s blend of celebrity lore and spiritual mystery keeps drawing eyes, now under a social media spotlight.
This clash highlights evolving boundaries in the digital age, where stunts blur into disruptions. For the Church of Scientology, reclaiming peace means confronting a faceless online horde. Will enhanced security end the raids, or merely evolve the challenge? The answer lies in TikTok’s next scroll.