True Crime fans have always been fascinated by projects based on cults, especially documentaries. Also, they give viewers insights into the methods these cult organizations use to manipulate people. At the same time, these documentaries throw light on the people who unquestioningly devote themselves to one individual.
Lately, cult documentaries seem to be nabbing all the attention by diving deep into the world of unconventional beliefs. Although these beliefs make people do incomprehensible things, it is crucial to understand the reasons for the popularity of these cults. Here is a list of some of the best cult documentaries currently available for streaming.
The Vow
The Vow is a documentary on the NXIVM, and its notorious leader, Keith Raniere. Initially, Raniere started NXIVM as a personal development organization. However, it did not take much time for him to show his true colors. The documentary series has two seasons and features interviews with former members of the group. It also explores the secret subgroup called The Vow. The members reportedly had to submit personal details about themselves, including nude photographs.
The first season of the series primarily focuses on how NXIVM became a cult. Meanwhile, the second edition looks into the investigation and Raniere’s trial. The Vow is currently streaming on Max.
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple
In 1955, Jim Jones founded the Peoples Temple in Indianapolis. The religious group was created with the idea of equality for all. However, everything came crashing down when more than 900 people died by committing “revolutionary suicide” in 1978 in Jonestown, Guyana. The documentary sheds light on Jim Jones’s life and how he managed to establish the Peoples Temple. It also features interviews with former members of the cult who opened up about their experiences.
As a whole, Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple is one of the most fascinating cult documentaries made. It is available for streaming on YouTube.
Waco: The Rules of Engagement
In February 1993, the US government sieged a compound belonging to Branch Dravidians, a religious cult. The siege ended in April 1993 when one of the buildings in the compound caught fire. As per The Washington Post, a total of 77 people died during the siege. Waco: The Rules of Engagement shows how David Koresh became a prophet for all the members of the cult. Additionally, it also mentions why the siege went on for 51 days.
One of the most interesting aspects of the documentary is how it implies that the FBI might have opened fire first during the siege. There have been several debates about who started the massacre, and this documentary attempts to give answers. It is available for streaming on Kanopy.
Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God
The documentary begins with harrowing bodycam footage of the authorities discovering the mummified body of Amy Carlson. This scene is enough for viewers to understand what lies ahead for them. Carlson was known as Mother God among her followers and led a cult named Love Has Won. Over the years, a lot of members of the group came forward and said that they allegedly experienced a lot of abuse.
Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God highlights how a woman singlehandedly convinced the masses that she was their savior. The director chose a unique narrative method by showing the incidents from the perspective of Carlson and the cult’s members. The documentary is available to stream on Max.
