A social media trend in which users film themselves forcing their way into Church of Scientology buildings in Hollywood has prompted the church to remove exterior door handles and increase security, after a series of incidents over the past month that included an injury to a staff member.
The “Scientology speedrunning” phenomenon began in early April on TikTok, where users post short videos of themselves entering multiple properties owned or occupied by the church. Participants, sometimes inexplicably dressed in costumes, aim to map the buildings’ interiors as quickly as possible — a nod to the video-game term “speedrunning.” The church’s Hollywood Boulevard information center has become a frequent target.
Los Angeles Police Department officials confirmed they have responded to multiple incidents in the past month, including one investigated as a potential hate crime. On a recent Saturday, Ericka Buensuceso was walking along Hollywood Boulevard when she saw a group of more than a dozen young people — including an alien, two hot dogs and a Jesus costumed character — force their way into the information center. She filmed the chaotic scene and posted the video on TikTok.
“I felt an adrenaline rush because I was like, ‘No way this is happening right now for me,’” Buensuceso said. “I’m about to witness something that I thought that I would only see on social media.”
David Bloomberg, a Scientology spokesperson, told The Associated Press that a staff member was injured during one of the incidents and required medical attention.
“These are peaceful spaces designed to welcome parishioners, visitors and members of the public,” Bloomberg said in a statement. “Turning them into targets for viral stunts is not journalism, protest or civic activity. It is trespass, harassment and disruption of religious facilities.”
Charley Tenorio, a 20-year-old actor who lives in Hollywood, was eating at a Taco Bell across the street when the group entered. He said he saw them pass a security guard and multiple workers before being “kicked out quite angrily by this small horde of Scientology workers” seconds later.
The motive behind the trend remains unclear. Much like other Gen Z and Generation Alpha content, the speedruns can appear nonsensical. One commenter on a recent TikTok video asked why people are participating; another replied, “because it’s fun.” Ahsem Kabir, a musician who lives nearby, stopped by the building on Wednesday after the door handles were removed and said the trend adds to the church’s mystique.
“I do get entertainment out of the speedruns. I think it’s pretty funny,” Kabir said. “I know that technically it’s not allowed, but I think it just kind of adds to the lore of this place.”
Scientology, founded by science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard with his 1950 book “Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health,” has a notable celebrity following. Actor Tom Cruise is among its most famous practitioners and is frequently mentioned in comment sections of the speedrun videos.