Films About Cults
Films about cults delve into the mysterious and often sinister world of groups led by charismatic leaders who manipulate and control their followers. These films explore themes of power, control, brainwashing, and the psychological and emotional impact on individuals within these groups. The narratives can range from psychological thrillers and horror to dramas and documentaries, each offering a unique perspective on the inner workings and often disturbing practices of cults.
List of Films About Cults
“The Master”, 2012
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
A drama loosely inspired by the founder of Scientology, focusing on a World War II veteran who becomes entangled with a charismatic cult leader.
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Laura Dern, Jesse Plemons, Ambyr Childers, Rami Malek, Martin D. Dew, Kevin J. O'Connor, Patty McCormack;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 137 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“Midsommar”, 2019
Director: Ari Aster
A horror film about a group of friends who travel to Sweden for a festival that only occurs once every ninety years, only to find themselves in the clutches of a pagan cult.
Starring: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, Vilhelm Blomgren, William Jackson Harper, Will Poulter, Ellora Torchia, Archie Madekwe, Henrik Norlén, Gunnel Fred, Isabelle Grill;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: horror, drama, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 148 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“Martha Marcy May Marlene”, 2011
Director: Sean Durkin
A psychological thriller that follows a young woman as she tries to re-adjust to normal life after escaping from an abusive cult.
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Christopher Abbott, Brady Corbet, Hugh Dancy, Maria Dizzia, Julia Garner, John Hawkes, Louisa Krause, Sarah Paulson, Adam David Thompson;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Martha Marcy May Marlene” on the website imdb.com
“The Invitation”, 2022
Director: Jessica M. Thompson
A horror-thriller where a man attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife, which takes a dark turn as he begins to suspect that she and her new friends have sinister intentions.
Starring: Nathalie Emmanuel, Thomas Doherty, Sean Pertwee, Hugh Skinner, Carol Ann Crawford, Alana Boden, Stephanie Corneliussen, Tian Chaudhry, Courtney Taylor, Scott Alexander Young;
Production year: 2022;
Genre: horror, thriller;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,3;
More information about the film “The Invitation” on the website imdb.com
“The Sacrament”, 2013
Director: Ti West
A found footage horror film inspired by the Jonestown Massacre, where a documentary crew travels to a remote commune led by a charismatic leader, only to uncover a terrifying reality.
Starring: Joe Swanberg, AJ Bowen, Kentucker Audley, Gene Jones, Amy Seimetz, Kate Forbes, Conphidance, Derek Roberts, Shirley Jones Byrd, Lashaun Clay;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: horror, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 95 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,1;
“Sound of My Voice”, 2011
Director: Zal Batmanglij
A psychological thriller about two documentary filmmakers who infiltrate a cult led by a woman claiming to be from the future.
Starring: Christopher Denham, Nicole Vicius, Brit Marling, Davenia McFadden, Kandice Stroh, Richard Wharton, Christy Meyers, Alvin Lam, Constance Wu, Matthew Carey;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: science fiction, thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 87 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Sound of My Voice” on the website imdb.com
“Hereditary”, 2018
Director: Ari Aster
A horror film where a family is haunted by a mysterious and terrifying presence that seems linked to their deceased grandmother's secret involvement with a cult.
Starring: Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, Mallory Bechtel, Christy Summerhays, Morgan Lund, Jake Brown, Harrison Nell;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: horror, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
“Children of the Corn”, 1984
Director: Fritz Kiersch
A horror film based on Stephen King's short story, about a couple who encounter a rural town inhabited by a murderous cult of children who worship a demonic entity.
Starring: Peter Horton, Linda Hamilton, R.G. Armstrong, John Franklin, Courtney Gains, Robby Kiger, Anne Marie McEvoy, Julie Maddalena, Jonas Marlowe, John Philbin;
Production year: 1984;
Genre: horror, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,6;
More information about the film “Children of the Corn” on the website imdb.com
“Faults”, 2013
Director: Riley Stearns
A dark comedy-drama about a deprogrammer who is hired to help a couple retrieve their daughter from a cult, only to find himself falling under the cult’s influence.
Starring: Leland Orser, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Chris Ellis, Jon Gries, Lance Reddick, Leonard Earl Howze, Nicholas Tucci, Beth Grant, David Chandler, David Zellner;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, crime, thriller;
Duration: 89 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Faults” on the website imdb.com
“The Endless”, 2017
Director: Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead
A science fiction horror film about two brothers who return to a cult they escaped from years ago, only to discover that the cult's beliefs may be more real than they initially thought.
Starring: Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson, Callie Hernandez, Tate Ellington, Shane Brady, Lew Temple, Kira Powell, David Lawson Jr., James Jordan, Emily Montague;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: horror, science fiction;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
“The Other Lamb”, 2019
Director: Malgorzata Szumowska
A drama-horror film about a girl born into an all-female cult led by a man, who begins to question the group's beliefs and practices.
Starring: Raffey Cassidy, Michiel Huisman, Denise Gough, Ailbhe Cowley, Eve Connolly, Isabelle Connolly, Jane Herbert, Aislín McGuckin, Kelly Campbell, Eva Mullen;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: drama, thriller;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,3;
“The Lodge”, 2019
Director: Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz
A psychological horror film where two children and their soon-to-be stepmother are stranded in a remote lodge, where they experience frightening occurrences linked to the woman's past in a cult.
Starring: Riley Keough, Jaeden Martell, Lia McHugh, Richard Armitage, Alicia Silverstone, Danny Keough, Lola Skye Reid, Philippe Ménard, Jarred Atkin, Wally the Dog;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: thriller, drama, horror;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
More information about the film “The Lodge” on the website imdb.com
In conclusion, films about cults have long captivated audiences by exploring the dark and complex nature of human psychology and group dynamics. Ranging from chilling horror to poignant drama, these films often delve into themes of power, control, and manipulation, reflecting broader societal fears and fascinations. By examining the allure and consequences of cult-like organizations, these movies not only provide thrilling entertainment, but also invite viewers to ponder deeper questions about vulnerability, leadership, and the human need for belonging. Whether grounded in reality or spun from imaginative tales, films about cults continue to be a compelling and thought-provoking genre in the cinematic world.
