16 Cult Documentaries That Will Leave You Speechless
Join the Club
I’ve always been fascinated with cults
That's why when I started my podcast, for my first episode I wanted to interview Teddy Hose who grew up in the Moonie cult.
Documentary films about cults are appealing because they offer a glimpse into a mysterious world that most will never know otherwise.
All 16 of these documentaries offer an in-depth look into the inner workings of these groups, revealing their practices, beliefs, and the psychological tactics they use to control and manipulate their members.
Overall, these documentaries provide a unique window into some of the most extreme and controversial aspects of human behavior and beliefs.
This, in conjunction with good storytelling, makes for a compelling yet often mind-blowingly frustrating viewing experience.
1. The Vow
Summary: This documentary series explores the inner workings of NXIVM, a “self-help” organization that became a fully-fledged cult led by Keith Raniere. The series focuses on the experiences of former members and how they were drawn into the group and the events that led to its downfall, including the arrest and conviction of its leader, on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. The documentary highlights the psychological manipulation, control, and abuse that members suffered at the hands of the organization and its leadership.
2. Wild Wild Country
Summary: This documentary series examines the story of the Rajneeshpuram, a spiritual community led by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (also known as Osho) in the 1980s. The series covers the rapid growth of the community, its conflict with local residents and government, and its eventual downfall. The documentary features interviews with former members, government officials, and journalists, and provides an in-depth look at the cult-like practices, political intrigue, and criminal activity that took place within the community.
3. Holy Hell
Summary: “Holy Hell” is a documentary film that recounts the experiences of a former member of a Los Angeles-based spiritual community known as the Buddhafield. The film provides a personal perspective on the group and its charismatic leader, Michel Rostand, who is also known as Andreas. The film covers the group’s early days of idealism and spiritual seeking, the gradual emergence of abusive and manipulative behavior by Rostand, and the eventual realization by members that they were part of a cult.
4. My Scientology Movie
Summary: The film is directed by Louis Theroux and takes a critical look at the inner workings of the church, its practices, and its history. The film features interviews with former members of the church, as well as re-enactments of reported events, to provide an inside look into the controversial and secretive organization. Louis Theroux is a British documentary filmmaker and journalist, known for his offbeat and unconventional approach to storytelling. He has produced numerous documentaries covering a wide range of subjects, including cults, extremism, and controversial social issues.
5. Kumare
Summary: “Kumare” is a 2011 documentary film directed by Vikram Gandhi. It follows Gandhi as he transforms himself into a faux spiritual guru named “Kumare” and builds a following of devoted followers in Arizona. The film explores the nature of truth, spirituality, and belief, and raises questions about the power dynamics that exist in guru-disciple relationships.
6. Going Clear: Scientology And The Prison of Belief
Summary: The film is based on the book of the same name by Lawrence Wright and examines the Church of Scientology, its history, and its controversial practices. The film includes interviews with former high-ranking Scientology members, who provide insights and personal accounts of their experiences within the organization. This film was directed by Alex Gibney.
7. Orgasm Inc
Summary:
8. Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator
Summary: The film explores the life and legacy of Bikram Choudhury, the founder of Bikram Yoga, and his rise to fame as a yoga guru and teacher. The film also details allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against Choudhury and the legal battles that ensued. The film raises questions about the intersections of power, abuse, and spirituality in the yoga world.
9. Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey
Summary: This four-part documentary series focuses on leader Warren Jeff and chronicles the rise and fall of the cult leader and the institutionalized child abuse and sexual assault that took place under his rule.
FLDS is a polygamous sect that split from the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon Church) over a century ago.
Warren Jeff is the self-proclaimed prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
From forcing young girls into underage marriages to rigid restrictions on day-to-day activities, appearance, and even gun ownership. Jeff is nothing short of a monster.
10. Heavens Gate: The Cult of Cults
Summary: A docuseries about the Heaven’s Gate cult, a New Age religious group that gained notoriety in the late 1990s for its mass suicide. The group was founded by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles, who believed that they were the two witnesses mentioned in the book of Revelation and that the end of the world was near. They taught that the only way to escape the impending doom and achieve “the Next Level” was to shed their physical bodies and board a spaceship that they believed was trailing the comet Hale-Bopp.
In 1997, 39 members of the group committed suicide in a mass ritual in their California compound, hoping to reach the Next Level. The event shocked the world and sparked widespread interest in the cult and its beliefs.
11. Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple
Summary: This documentary tells the story of — Peoples Temple. A religious group led by Jim Jones that ended in tragedy. The group was established in the 1950s in Indiana and eventually relocated to Guyana, where they established a settlement called Jonestown. At its height, the group had thousands of members who were drawn to Jones’ charismatic leadership and promises of a utopian community.
In November 1978, a delegation of politicians and reporters arrived in Guyana to investigate the group but were met with hostility and violence. In the end, Jones ordered the mass suicide of over 900 people, including children, in what is now remembered as the Jonestown Massacre.
12. Jesus Camp
Summary: The film focuses on a Christian summer camp for children in North Dakota, and how the camp’s teachings shape their perceptions of faith, politics, and the world around them. The film showcases the views and teachings of the camp’s pastor, Becky Fischer, and highlights the Evangelical Christian movement’s efforts to politically mobilize and influence young people.
13. The Source Family
Summary: “The Source Family” is a 2012 documentary film that explores the story of The Source, a 1970s spiritual commune based in Hollywood, California. The film features interviews with former members of The Source and provides insight into the commune’s beliefs, lifestyle, and eventual downfall.
The Source was led by Father Yod, a charismatic former martial arts instructor and restauranteur who proclaimed himself a spiritual teacher and guru. The commune’s members lived a communal lifestyle, embraced a vegetarian diet, and followed Yod’s teachings, which blended elements of Eastern spirituality, New Age philosophy, and countercultural values.
14. The Way Down: God, Greed, and the Cult of Gwen Shamblin
Summary: This five-part docuseries examines the controversial Remnant Fellowship Church and its charismatic leader, diet guru Gwen Shamblin.
Just before finishing the series, Shamblin Lara and her husband died in a plane crash, and the team pivoted and produced two more episodes, talking to more people about the controversial Remnant Fellowship Church and its founder.
15. Prophets Prey
Summary: Another FLDS, Warren Jeff documentary. This one chronicles Jeff’s rise to power and the authoritarian control he exerted over the FLDS community, including the exploitation and abuse of minors, arranged marriages, and other forms of oppression. The film also examines the legal battles and efforts to bring Jeffs to justice, and the ongoing impact of his actions on the FLDS community.
16. John of God: The Crimes of a Spiritual Leader
Summary: “John of God: The Crimes of a Spiritual Leader” is a documentary that examines the crimes and allegations against João Teixeira de Faria, also known as “John of God,” a Brazilian spiritual healer and medium who gained international fame.
The film details the numerous accusations of sexual abuse, exploitation, and enslavement made against Faria by former followers and clients. The film also explores the larger issues of spiritual manipulation and the abuse of power by so-called “gurus” and spiritual leaders.
For more great movies, check out these lists
55 Documentaries You Have To Watch
