Movies Similar to Cults: Saying No Under Pressure

Seventh-day Adventism—The Spirit Behind the Church(1999)

This hard-hitting, eye opening documentary explores the teaching of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, it's origins and the changes which have occurred throughout the years. It examines the claims of the religion's founder, the late prophetess Ellen G. White, and compares her unique beliefs with Biblical truth. You will meet a number of former high-ranking church leaders, many of them fourth generation members, and discover what happened when they embarked on a journey to uncover the truth about their organization. You will be shocked by what they found.

10.0

A(1998)

Roughly chronological, from 3/96 to 11/96, with a coda in spring of 1997: inside compounds of Aum Shinrikyo, a Buddhist sect led by Shoko Asahara. (Members confessed to a murderous sarin attack in the Tokyo subway in 1995.) We see what they eat, where they sleep, and how they respond to media scrutiny, on-going trials, the shrinking of their fortunes, and the criticism of society. Central focus is placed on Hiroshi Araki, a young man who finds himself elevated to chief spokesman for Aum after its leaders are arrested. Araki faces extreme hostility from the Japanese public, who find it hard to believe that most followers of the cult had no idea of the attacks and even harder to understand why these followers remain devoted to the religion, if not the violence.

5.9

Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple(2006)

Featuring never-before-seen footage, this documentary delivers a startling new look at the Peoples Temple, headed by preacher Jim Jones who, in 1978, led more than 900 members to Guyana, where he orchestrated a mass suicide via tainted punch.

7.1

BAND(2025)

Was it a cult? A charismatic bandleader convinces four generations of Midlands factory workers to dedicate their lives, and their children’s, to his obsession with leading the world’s best marching band, whatever the cost.

0.0

Sheep Dog(1939)

Tom Jones, a shepherd who lived in one of the Ystradfechan Cottages at Old Farm, Treorchy, was employed by the Ocean Coal Company who owned the land above ground and coal (the Park and the Dare Collieries) beneath. A farrier who lived in the adjoining cottage tended to all the Park and Dare pit ponies. Tom Jones was known world-wide as the “Wonder Shepherd” for his remarkable skills as an animal trainer which, together with his concern for his flock, are recorded here.

0.0

Waco: The Rules of Engagement(1997)

In one of the most tragic face-offs in the history of law enforcement, the deadly debacle at Waco pitted the Branch Davidian sect against the FBI in an all-out war. This documentary makes the most of footage and recordings to examine how the events that led to the tragedy of April 19, 1993, unfolded, and how the FBI's unrelenting approach made what was already a bad situation much worse.

7.6

Children of the Cult(2024)

An international investigation into the Rajneesh movement. One of the world's biggest and most successful cults, it had communes in more than 30 countries in the 70s and 80s and was portrayed in the Netflix series Wild Wild Country' But until now, a central truth about the organization has remained hidden.

7.0

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The Cult Next Door(2017)

In 2013, three women emerged from a flat in Brixton. They had been held there for decades by Aravindan Balakrishnan, a revolutionary Maoist who controlled the women with brainwashing techniques and tales of a sinister, world-controlling machine he called 'Jackie'.

0.0

Simply Metric(1973)

A guide to going metric from the Central Office of Information on behalf of the Metrication Board.

0.0

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Shoplifting is Stealing(1975)

This educational film "Shoplifting is Stealing" was produced by Charles Cahill and Associates in 1975. It discusses the issue of shoplifting and the various measures taken by retail stores to combat it. It highlights the significant financial losses due to shoplifting, which amount to over $3.5 billion annually in the U.S. Stores often mark up prices to cover these losses, which can be particularly challenging for small businesses. The film explains that many shoplifters are teenagers who steal for emotional reasons, peer pressure, or thrills rather than necessity. It emphasizes that shoplifting is a serious crime with legal consequences, including a police record. Various security measures are described, such as trained security staff, surveillance cameras, electronic tags, and packaging techniques that make it harder for shoplifters to steal items. The film also follows a scenario where security tracks and apprehends suspected shoplifters using surveillance and communication.

0.0

Aliens from Spaceship Earth(1977)

While the aliens in this film may seem to be quite human, one must realize that we're dealing with close encounters of the fourth kind. An inner space journey triggered by the drug culture and rebellion of the 1960s, and the non-violent search for self that continues among people in today's culture. Could this be due to some influence from a higher spiritual consciousness? The world's alien leaders are well represented in this film: Baba Muktananda, Swami Satchidananda, A. C. Bhaktivedanta, Guru Maharaj Ji, Yoga Bhahan, Sri Sathya, Sai Baba, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Father Yod, Baba Ram Das, and well-known personalities who present their views on seeking their own terrestrial individuality.

3.0

A Journey(2017)

A cinematic journey through the world. Non-verbal.

8.0

The Seeds: Pushin' Too Hard(2014)

Documentary about seminal garage-rock band, The Seeds, that uses vintage footage, rare photos, memorabilia and audio, plus fresh interviews with band members and associates as well as notable fans and observers, Pushin’ Too Hard relates the bizarre rage-to-riches-to-rags tale of the rock quartet who took Los Angeles by storm in the mid-60s.

0.0

Orgasm Inc: The Story of OneTaste(2022)

A sexual wellness company gains fame and followers, then members come forward with shocking allegations.

6.1

Waco: Madman or Messiah(2018)

Followers from around the world travel to Mount Carmel to hear the preaching of David Koresh, a local Texas working-class kid turned prophet of God and leader of the religious group The Branch Davidians.

7.3

Monster Squad Forever!(2007)

This is a feature-length look into the creation of the 20 year old cult-classic, Monster Squad, including interviews with writer/director Fred Dekker, stars Tom Noonan, Duncan Regehr, Andre Gower and more.

7.4

1/2 Man(1986)

A visual documentary of Einstürzende Neubauten, the German underground band, by Japanese cult director Sogo Ishii, made during their 1985 tour of Japan. The band makes an elaborate and remarkably choreographed appearance in the ruins of an old ironworks which was scheduled for demolition; footage of same was incorporated into the movie and a brief appearance on stage.

7.0

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief(2015)

GOING CLEAR intimately profiles eight former members of the Church of Scientology, shining a light on how they attract true believers and the things they do in the name of religion.

7.6

Herrings(1940)

This informative herring aid from WWII makes no bones about the need to make the most of every fish.

0.0

Door to Door Salesman(1961)

Ever had a good experience with doorstep salespeople? Maybe you were lucky, but the doorstep has never seemed the best place for a sensible sales decision – which is exactly why companies use it.

0.0