The Most Riveting Cult Documentaries Streaming Now

NXIVM, a so-called "sex cult" disguised as a "self-empowerment group," has been in the news for years. The Vow, HBO's sweeping, 9-episode look into Keith Raniere's organization, introduced a whole new audience to the group that stole people's lives, minds, and savings accounts, and Starz's new series Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult expands on that. But there are far more documentaries about cults where The Vow came from.

Recently, mind-controlling cults have been the focus of countless fictional movies and TV shows, like Ari Aster's Midsommar or even The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. But it's nonfiction works, including these gripping podcasts, that give the deepest insight into real groups (religious or otherwise) and their charismatic leaders. For example, Netflix's Wild Wild Country illuminated a stand-off between a guru's followers and the inhabitants of a small Portland town, while situating the incident within the crowded cult landscape of the '70s.

Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, YouTube, and beyond, there are enough cult documentaries to fuel an entire movie marathon. Though you may want to consider following up these disturbing picks with a sweeping romance, nostalgic throwbacks, or feel-good fare—since some of these can be quite chilling.