10 Movies and Shows Similar to Waco: Madman or Messiah (2018)

Description: Errol Morris's groundbreaking documentary shares with 'Waco' a meticulous examination of a controversial case where official narratives are questioned. Both films use reenactments and interviews to challenge viewers' perceptions of truth and justice.

Fact: The film helped overturn Randall Dale Adams' wrongful conviction. Its stylistic approach influenced many future documentaries. Morris invented new interview techniques for this project.

Description: Like 'Waco', this documentary trilogy examines a controversial case where public opinion and media coverage may have distorted the truth. Both explore how fear and prejudice can influence justice. The long-form investigative approach is similar.

Fact: The film led to the eventual release of the West Memphis Three. Metallica allowed their music to be used, which became iconic in the film. The case inspired numerous celebrity advocates.

Description: Similar to 'Waco: Madman or Messiah' in its exploration of a controversial cult and its tragic end. Both documentaries delve into the psychology of cult leaders and their followers, examining how extreme beliefs can lead to devastating consequences. The visual storytelling in both films combines archival footage with interviews to create a comprehensive narrative.

Fact: The documentary covers the Heaven's Gate cult, which infamously committed mass suicide in

Description: Both 'The Imposter' and 'Waco' deal with deception and the manipulation of truth. Where 'Waco' explores how a leader can deceive followers, 'The Imposter' shows how an individual can deceive an entire family and community. The psychological tension and unraveling of the truth are similarly gripping.

Fact: The story involves a Frenchman who impersonated a missing Texas boy. The film blends documentary with stylistic reenactments. The real family's reactions to the imposter are central to the narrative.

Description: This documentary shares with 'Waco' a focus on a high-profile case where the truth was obscured by media and public perception. Both films examine systemic failures and the human cost of rushed judgments. The investigative approach and social commentary are comparable.

Fact: Directed by Ken Burns, his daughter Sarah, and David McMahon. The case led to the wrongful conviction of five teenagers. The film helped bring attention to the injustices they faced.

Description: This documentary shares with 'Waco' an examination of a violent crime that shocked a community and raised questions about systemic failures. Both films explore the aftermath of tragedy and the search for understanding.

Fact: The film examines a 2007 home invasion that resulted in a triple murder. It raises questions about the death penalty and parole systems. The documentary includes interviews with the victims' family members.

Description: Like 'Waco', this documentary series investigates a complex, controversial figure whose actions led to multiple deaths. Both use a mix of interviews, archival footage, and investigative journalism to unravel their subjects' stories. The psychological profiling and exploration of truth versus perception are key similarities.

Fact: The series features a shocking, unprompted confession from Robert Durst. It took nearly a decade to complete due to legal complications. The filmmakers uncovered new evidence that led to Durst's arrest.

Description: This documentary shares with 'Waco' a focus on a charismatic leader (Jim Jones) whose influence led to a mass tragedy. Both films explore themes of manipulation, faith, and the dangers of unchecked authority. The use of survivor testimonies and archival material in both creates a gripping, emotional narrative.

Fact: The documentary provides new insights into the Jonestown massacre, one of the largest mass deaths in American history. It includes recently discovered audio recordings from the event. The film features interviews with survivors and relatives of the deceased.

Description: While 'The Act' is a dramatized series, it shares with 'Waco' a focus on real-life events involving manipulation and extreme behavior. Both stories examine how individuals can become trapped in situations controlled by dominant figures (in 'The Act', it's Dee Dee Blanchard's Munchausen syndrome by proxy). The psychological depth and tension are comparable.

Fact: The series is based on the true story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her mother Dee Dee. Patricia Arquette won an Emmy for her portrayal of Dee Dee. The case inspired multiple documentaries before this dramatization.

Description: This documentary examines the infamous Kitty Genovese murder case, similar to how 'Waco' re-examines a well-known tragedy. Both films challenge established narratives and explore themes of bystander apathy versus collective responsibility. The investigative approach and moral questioning are parallel.

Fact: The film is directed by Kitty Genovese's brother, Bill Genovese. It debunks the myth that 38 witnesses did nothing to help Kitty. The documentary includes never-before-heard audio from the crime scene.