10 Shows & Movies Like The Garden: Commune or Cult

Description: A deep dive into a notorious group's history, beliefs, and ultimate tragedy, highlighting how charismatic leadership can lead to devastating consequences.

Fact: Features never-before-seen footage from the group's archives. It includes interviews with surviving family members of the deceased.

Description: A firsthand account of involvement in a secretive organization that disguised itself as a self-help group while engaging in coercive practices.

Fact: The subject of the documentary was a high-ranking member who became a whistleblower. It reveals the organization's unusual branding rituals.

Description: A thriller series about a charismatic leader who inspires violent acts, examining how ideology can motivate extreme behavior and create dangerous group dynamics.

Fact: The show's premise was inspired by real-life cases of charismatic criminals. It features complex psychological manipulation techniques.

Description: Exposes the hidden dynamics of a prominent religious organization, revealing the tension between public image and private misconduct.

Fact: Features interviews with former members who describe a culture of fear. The documentary led to widespread discussion about megachurch accountability.

Description: Examines the controversial practices and alleged abuses within a high-profile organization, focusing on the experiences of former members and the power dynamics at play.

Fact: Based on Lawrence Wright's Pulitzer Prize-winning book. The documentary faced legal threats from the organization it investigates.

Description: A fictional drama series that portrays the inner workings and power struggles within a controversial spiritual movement, showing how belief systems can both uplift and destroy.

Fact: The show's creators conducted extensive research on real-life movements. It explores the concept of religious experiences being chemically induced.

Description: A documentary that delves into the inner workings of a spiritual group, exploring themes of manipulation, control, and the psychological impact on its members.

Fact: The filmmaker was a former member of the group, providing an insider's perspective. It features rare footage from inside the commune over two decades.

Description: A horror film that depicts an idyllic-seeming community with dark secrets, exploring themes of groupthink, ritual, and the loss of individual identity.

Fact: The film's daylight horror approach was intentionally unsettling. It features authentic Swedish folk traditions reinterpreted for the story.

Description: Investigates a modern spiritual movement with a charismatic leader, examining how online communities can facilitate unconventional belief systems.

Fact: Features bizarre footage of the group's rituals and daily life. The leader claimed to be the physical embodiment of God.

Description: Explores the dramatic standoff between a religious sect and law enforcement, focusing on the group's ideology and the escalation that led to tragedy.

Fact: Uses a mix of archival footage and dramatic reenactments. It presents multiple perspectives on the controversial events.