The best true crime stories often reveal profound truths about human nature, touching on themes of bravery, cowardice, greed, love, and fear. True crime documentaries, in particular, can be both chilling and enlightening, exposing hidden facets of society. This is especially true for documentaries about cults, which delve into the warped power dynamics and chilling secrets of these groups, while also exploring the lives and voices of those involved.
Survivors of cults often express that no one willingly joins a cult. They join what they believe to be a movement, a group of friends, or a religious organization. However, what starts as a noble cause can take a dark turn, leading to tragic events such as the murder of a young woman covered up for decades, a utopian community’s descent into extortion and poison, or a cross-country manhunt ending in a rundown hotel.
For those interested in deep dives into the world of cults, cult-like figures, and true crime, here are some compelling documentaries available for streaming:
“Wild Wild Country” tells the story of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his followers, who in the early ’80s, fled persecution in India and bought a 100-square-mile ranch in Antelope, Oregon. Their goal was to establish Rajneeshpuram, a self-sustaining utopian community. However, this dream devolved amidst clashing egos, leading to mass food poisoning, local political machinations, and even the invention of Nike sneakers. This six-part docuseries, produced by Mark and Jay Duplass and directed by Macclain and Chapman Way, explores faith, greed, and violence in a complex narrative.
“Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives.” centers on Sarma Melngailis, who once reigned over the all-vegan and raw restaurant Pure Food and Wine in New York City. Under the influence of a man known as “Shane Fox” (real name: Anthony Strangis), Melngailis was promised everything from a restaurant empire to eternal life for her beloved pit bull. The unsettling truth of “Bad Vegan” lies not in how a skilled con man infiltrated Melngailis’s life, but in how many of us might have fallen for him ourselves, given similar circumstances.
“Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey” examines the rise and fall of Warren Jeffs, the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), an unofficial polygamous offshoot of the Mormon Church. Jeffs is currently serving a life sentence plus 20 years for crimes including the rapes of two underage “wives.” This documentary explores Jeffs’s use of sexism and rape as means of psychological control, his impunity, and the blind faith of his followers.
“Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator” reveals the dark side of Bikram Choudhury, the man behind the popular brand of hot yoga. Choudhury’s empire grew as he recruited people worldwide for his teacher certification courses, which allegedly became hunting grounds for young women who were sexually assaulted and held against their will. This documentary exposes the greed, racism, and abuse hidden under the guise of self-improvement.
“The Family” explores an ultra-secret group of conservative Christians whose influence reaches the highest echelons of power in Washington, DC. Based on journalist Jeff Sharlet’s book, this docuseries argues that the group’s rise to power began when its founder’s successor, Doug Coe, started sponsoring the National Prayer Breakfast. The series raises disturbing questions about the group’s power and its mission to blur the lines between church and state.
“The Keepers” suggests a connection between the decades-old murders of Sister Cathy Cesnik, a Catholic nun, and Joyce Malecki, a 20-year-old woman. The docuseries, created by Ryan White and Jessica Hargreaves, implicates the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Baltimore County Police Department in creating a cult of silence around sex crimes committed by Joseph Maskell, a Catholic priest at the time of the murders. Cesnik’s former students honor her memory by exposing the culture of abuse and corruption they believe led to her death.
“One of Us” follows the lives of three individuals who leave the insular Hasidic Jewish community in New York after enduring sexual and domestic violence. This documentary, from the creators of “Jesus Camp,” explores their struggles to assimilate into a secular world while maintaining their faith and sense of self. It is a story of bravery and defiance against an all-powerful institution that rejects individuality to retain control.
True crime documentaries on Netflix offer real-life drama that captivates viewers, revealing the disturbing and compelling aspects of human nature. From the investigation of Charles Cullen, a former ICU nurse who killed patients, to the story of Alex Murdaugh, a prominent lawyer found guilty of killing his wife and son, these documentaries uncover the dark side of humanity. Other notable documentaries include “Sins Of Our Mother,” which tells the story of Lori Vallow, accused of killing her children, and “Missing: The Lucie Blackman Case,” which covers the disappearance and murder of a young woman in Tokyo.
Documentaries like “Girl in the Picture” and “Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist” present bizarre and chilling real-life stories that are difficult to comprehend. These films, along with others exploring secret lives, dangerous roommates, and millennial scamming and murder, offer a fascinating look into the murky world of true crime.
Source: Netflix, Vox
