Look inside the cult leader's playbook for achieving unconditional love, endless devotion and the power to control people's minds, bodies, and souls. Disguised as a guidebook for capturing a devoted cult following, this docuseries takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the rise of six famed flock leaders. How to Become a Cult Leader is a television documentary series released on Netflix which examines how cult leaders recruit followers and control all aspects of their lives.
Episodes
Build Your Foundation
Embrace your calling and reinvent yourself by studying the life of petty criminal and folk rock troubadour-turned-murderous legend Charles Manson.
Grow Your Flock
Build a fervent following by retracing the steps of Jim Jones, whose messiah complex turned a small healing grift into a dangerously loyal congregation.
Reform Their Minds
Return to Buddhafield and unlock the mastery of manipulation with Jaimie Gomez, a failed actor who built an army of servants by promising enlightenment.
Promise Eternity
Apocalypse, anyone? Create credible danger and consolidate power by studying the spiritual, sci-fi narrative of Heaven's Gate leader Marshall Applewhite.
Control Your Image
Leverage media coverage to cultivate a pious image like Shoko Asahara, who built the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo on positive PR and deadly methods.
Become Immortal
Avoid unhappy endings and cement your legacy by studying Sun Myung Moon, who transformed the Unification Church into a still-thriving economic machine.
Top Cast
Peter Dinklage
Narrator (voice)
Lola Blanc
Self
Amanda Montell
Self
Diane Benscoter
Self
Janja Lalich
Self
Rachel Bernstein
Self
Asha Rangappa
Self
Yulanda Williams
Self
Jeff Guinn
Self
Kimiaki Nishida
Self
