‘Phoenix Rising’: Evan Rachel Wood Reclaims Her Story in HBO Documentary (VIDEO)

Westworld star Evan Rachel Wood is reclaiming her story and fighting for justice in the new two-part HBO documentary Phoenix Rising, which premieres back-to-back on March 15 and 16.

“Phoenix Rising delves behind familiar headlines and explores the often-misunderstood aspects of domestic abuse, helping to shed light on the many factors that prevent survivors from coming forward with their stories as they deal with years of aftershocks and emotional trauma,” states the special’s description.

“I’m here today to talk about Brian Warner, also known to the world as Marilyn Manson,” says Wood in the first look trailer. At age 18, Wood began a relationship with the then 37-year-old rock musician, during which she says she underwent severe emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Wood publicly named Warner as her abuser in February 2021. He’s since denied the allegations and has faced no charges.

Realizing she was not alone, Wood banded together with other survivors to successfully lobby for The Phoenix Act, which extends the statute of limitations for domestic violence crimes to five years instead of three. The Act was signed into California State Law in 2019.

“Using archival footage, intimate home videos, and candid testimony from Wood and other survivors, Phoenix Rising charts Wood’s journey from silent victim to vocal survivor and her rise to a domestic violence advocate.”

To bring further awareness to the documentary’s subject matter, HBO will partner with several non-profit organizations, including the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), to “help empower, educate, and provide resources and action opportunities for all audiences.”

“We need to make sure that this doesn’t happen to anybody else,” says Wood.

Phoenix Rising, Documentary Premiere, Tuesday, March 15 at 9/8c, Wednesday, March 16 at 9/8c, HBO & HBO Max