Inside viral ‘Scientology speedrun’ trend prompting the church to bolster security – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Los Angeles – Groups of young people have stormed Church of Scientology buildings in Hollywood, turning the properties into playgrounds for a bizarre social media challenge. Participants race through hallways and stairs, filming their dashes to see how far they can penetrate before security intervenes. The trend, known as “Scientology speedrun,” exploded on TikTok and Instagram in early April 2026, drawing millions of views and prompting the church to take drastic steps.[1][2]
The Rise of the ‘Scientology Speedrun’ Challenge
The challenge mimics video game speedrunning, where players complete levels as quickly as possible by dodging obstacles and finding shortcuts. Here, entrants treat church facilities like virtual mazes, aiming to reach deeper “levels” while capturing point-of-view footage for online glory. Videos often feature upbeat music, slapstick effects, and boasts about record-breaking depths, with some creators even mapping building layouts based on prior runs.[3]
Costumes add to the absurdity: runners have appeared as Jesus Christ, Sonic the Hedgehog, aliens, and hot dogs. Groups sometimes blast air horns or shout to amplify the chaos, pushing past staff in packs for safety and momentum. One solo TikTok video by creator @julia.hill1 amassed over seven million views, while a Jesus-costumed dash topped 17 million. The viral appeal stems from Scientology’s secretive reputation, blending prank, curiosity, and mild activism into shareable content.[3][1]
Disruptions Erupt in Hollywood Buildings
Incidents centered on Hollywood Boulevard properties, including the church’s information center at Hollywood and McCadden Place and the L. Ron Hubbard Life Exhibition on Ivar Avenue. On April 18, a group of teenagers barreled through the information center at 6724 Hollywood Boulevard, blasting an air horn and knocking a male staffer to the ground as they descended to an office area. The commotion ended quickly when they fled via a fire escape, but a female staffer yelled, “Get out of the building now!”[4]
A larger event unfolded the following Saturday, when dozens in costumes forced a door open after tussling with a guard. They sprinted up stairs, clashed with black-shirted security, and knocked several staff members down amid screams to leave. Eyewitness Ericka Buensuceso, watching from nearby, described an “adrenaline rush” as the group – including young boys dressed as an alien, hot dogs, and Jesus – passed guards before ejection. At least one staffer required medical attention from these runs.[2][1]
Church Implements Swift Security Changes
The Church of Scientology condemned the stunts as “organized trespasses” rather than games. Spokesman David Bloomberg stated, “These incidents are not ‘speed running.’ They are organized trespasses into religious and public information facilities for social media attention.” The church reported every episode to law enforcement and introduced “additional security measures” to safeguard staff, parishioners, and visitors.[1][5]
By Sunday, crews removed all external door handles from Hollywood Boulevard sites, forcing guards to block entrances manually. Bloomberg added that the actions disrupted peaceful spaces, damaged property, and endangered people: “Over recent weeks, individuals have repeatedly forced their way into Church properties on Hollywood Boulevard, disrupted religious and public facilities, damaged Church property, and endangered staff, parishioners and visitors.” Guards later wielded fire extinguishers during exits, signaling heightened vigilance.[2]
Key Security Responses:
- Removal of external door handles on Hollywood properties
- Guards blocking doorways
- Reports filed with LAPD for each incident
- Extra personnel and tools like fire extinguishers
Police Probes and Divided Opinions
The Los Angeles Police Department probed multiple cases, including the April 18 battery and a recent Saturday clash as potential hate crimes. Five trespass reports hit Scientology sites in 2026, though arrests remained elusive. An LAPD spokesperson affirmed commitment to protecting houses of worship, with possible charges for battery if collisions proved intentional.[4][1]
Reactions split along familiar lines. Ex-Scientologist Jenna Miscavige praised the runs for discomforting the church and deterring recruits, while actress Leah Remini worried they might entrench believers. Professor Brian Levin decried the invasions as legally risky and intolerant, regardless of the target. As door handles vanish and guards multiply, the trend tests boundaries between viral fun and real-world fallout.[1]
Whether the speedruns fade or evolve remains unclear, but they have undeniably pierced Scientology’s guarded facade – at a cost to all involved.
