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Note: Many of the documentaries on this list deal heavily with themes of suicide, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and religious trauma. Before streaming, understand whether any topics that could be triggering for you are present, and take care when watching.
Delving into the story of Father Yod, the founder of a spiritual commune in the Hollywood Hills during the late 1960s, the documentary exposes the darker side of this cult and its charismatic leader. Their community practiced vegetarianism, took drugs like marijuana and LSD, and formed a rock band, making them arguably one of the least harmful cults in this list, but a cult all the same. The film features a thumping soundtrack from the cult's psychedelic rock band, Ya Ho Wha 13, and offers a glimpse into the alternative ways of living during the 1970s.
Directed by Will Allen, a former member of the Buddhafield cult who documented his time in the group, the film features interviews with Allen and other former members who share their experiences of being drawn into the group's idealism and the charismatic leadership of Jaime Gomez, who believed he was divine (as many cult leaders do). Featuring archival footage and lingering shots of Gomez, Holy Hell is likely one of the creepiest cult documentaries out there.
The Deep End takes an in-depth look at Teal Swan, a millennial spiritual leader with a massive following on social media. The four-part series explores Swan's tight inner circle, her controversial therapeutic practices, and the death by suicide of one of her followers. The series portrays her as a power-hungry spiritual narcissist who can do no wrong in the eyes of her followers, but despite claims of misleading editing, it still offers a fascinating glimpse into the extreme side of current influencer culture and the potential dangers of unregulated spiritual practices. Just make sure you take everything with a grain of salt.
Between true crime podcasts and the new fad of reenactments like The Dropout and The Shrink Next Door, one thing that will seemingly never go out of style is the cult documentary. People are often fascinated by everything having to do with cults, from how the leader came to power to how everyday people like us got sucked into it.
Teixeira was a faith healer in Brazil who saw over 10,000 patients per week, and over 300 of them, some underage, have come forward with sexual abuse accusations. The documentary features the victims telling their harrowing stories. This is not one to watch with a weak stomach.
This miniseries documentary chronicles an abusive cult led by a German fugitive forced out of the country for molesting young boys. A Sinister Sect: Colonia Dignidad introduces viewers to Paul Schfer, who fled Germany to start a German Christian colony in Chile in 1961. In this docuseries, both victims and experts finally speak out.
Even those still involved who have kept the cult alive today are included in this docuseries that asks how far people will go to please God. It may not have gotten as much attention as some other Netflix cult documentaries, but this one is definitely worth a watch.
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Patrick Thornton writes about true crime, weird history, and the paranormal for Ranker. Patrick earned an MFA in creative nonfiction from Columbia College Chicago and completed a writing residency at the Vermont Studio Center.
Netflix knows how to serve up some solid true crime content, and cults have become one of its most popular subgenres. The cults investigated in these Netflix series include the evangelical Christian variety shown in Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey, which laid bare the extensive crimes of a polygamist pastor in Utah.
This selection Netflix cult documentaries that uncover the criminal, abusive, and decidedly creepy acts committed by their leaders. For those who enjoy series that bring dark acts to light, add these to your watch list - and make sure to cast your vote for which are the creepiest.
An FBI raid laid bare Warren's crimes and led to the rescue of dozens of children. Throughout the four-part series, the women who survived Warren's cult recount their harrowing stories and the way they're still haunted by Warren's cruelty. Warren himself was arrested in 2006 and sentenced to life in prison for his crimes.
In 1992, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms opened an investigation into the illegal purchase of weapons by the Branch Davidians. The investigation led to a siege that began on February 28, 1993, and lasted until April 19, 1993, when a fire engulfed the compound and killed 82 members, including 25 children and two pregnant women.
In the decades since the siege, the FBI and US government have been criticized for their handling of the situation, while others point the blame at Koresh, who died on the final day of the siege after releasing a tape that he was the second coming of Christ.
What It's About: Netflix's 2024 docuseries The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping delves into the disturbing background of the Academy at Ivy Ridge. The academy operated from 2001 to 2009 in upstate New York as part of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) and was said to be a boarding school. Former students, including The Program's director, Katherine Kubler, described it as more of a behavior modification facility that abused its students.
What It's About: Directed by Joshua Zeman, the 2021 docuseries The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness takes a fresh look at the research of investigative journalist Maury Terry, who believed that David Berkowitz was not the only Son of Sam killer. Berkowitz was found guilty of committing 13 shootings and eight murders in New York City between 1976 and 1977. Berkowitz claimed he'd acted on the orders of his neighbor John Carr's dog, Sam, who was possessed by a demon.
What It's About: In this 5-part docuseries from 2019, director Trails Scott unmasks a secretive Christian organization known as "the Family" that has been influencing US and international politics since the 1930s. Although many might not know the Family by name, they are the group responsible for the National Prayer Breakfast, which has become a powerful networking event that's been attended by US presidents going as far back as Dwight D. Eisenhower.
According to the documentary, the Family has used its power to sway US politics toward evangelical Christian values and has gone as far as to influence international politics and work with known dictators and war criminals.
The Twin Flames Universe consists of courses and coaching from the Divines that cost thousands of dollars, with the top-tier package costing $8,888. As the organization grew, the Divines taught members how to be twin flame coaches, wrote a cookbook for spiritual alignment, and started their own church called the Church of Union.
In laying out the facts, cult documentaries tend to peel back the layers of human behaviour. They look at both sides: exploring what makes and shapes the nefarious leaders at the helm of these infamous groups, as well as how people get sucked into and stuck inside their worlds.
The docuseries tells the intertwining stories of influencer management company, 7M Films and its associated church, Shekinah. After a group of TikTok dancers join, disturbing details about the community and its founder come to light. Former members of the church and management firm speak out in the three-part docuseries, as well as the sister of one famous influencer who is still tied up in it.
The series concerns Indian guru, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, following him across six episodes as he moves his ashram from India to the United States. When Rajneesh and his followers settle in the Oregon desert, with the aim of building a utopian city, tension with local residents escalates into a national scandal.
While technically not a cult documentary, per se, this true crime series examines the rise and fall of Bikram Choudhury, who built an empire of hot yoga studios and amassed a dedicated following for Yogi devotees.
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When Kathleen McCormack disappeared in 1982, suspicions pointed to real estate tycoon Robert Durst, who was later suspected of being involved in the murders of his friend Susan Berman and neighbor Morris Black.
From her solo school strike for climate change outside of the Swedish Parliament to her captivating and commanding speeches in front of the United Nations, I Am Greta tells the story of Thunberg through never-before-seen footage of her life starting from the very beginning.
Model and actress Brooke Shields is no stranger to the spotlight. She first broke onto the scene when she was a teen, becoming the youngest model to cover Vogue magazine at just 14 years old. Now, at 57, Shields has discovered her power and is reflecting on the disturbing sexualization she experienced throughout her life, bringing to light the ways society exploits young women.
This Hulu Original docuseries dives deep inside the scandal surrounding now-convict Larry Ray and the college-aged victims he manipulated and trafficked. With Ray currently serving a 60-year sentence, those who survived him are stepping forward to tell their stories through exclusive photos and video clips.
Join actor Will Smith on an incredible journey as he explores some of the most amazing places on the planet in the National Geographic series, Welcome to Earth. From diving into the depths of the ocean to venturing into live volcanoes, Smith pushes himself to new limits to experience the natural wonders of the world up close.
Dear Mama is a five-part docuseries that uses real footage and interviews, including never-before-seen content, to tell the story of rap legend Tupac Shakur and his short but impactful life through the lens of his mother, Afeni Shakur, who lived many lives of her own.
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