Netflix's Unchosen has topped the streaming charts, but if you found this cult fantasy series underwhelming, there are four gripping alternatives that deliver far more intrigue and suspense.
Why Unchosen Fell Short
Unchosen landed on Netflix just over a week ago, with hordes of telly enthusiasts placing it at the top of their lists. Yet, I can't claim I was particularly impressed by this dull, average cult fantasy. I hoped to feel unsettled, I hoped to be mystified, but truthfully, this cult drama disappointed. This isn't a criticism of Asa Butterfield, Molly Windsor, and Fra Fe's acting abilities, but when the script isn't there to support you, there's a limit to what can be achieved. Like numerous Netflix smash hits, the trailer contains more intrigue than the actual programme.
To repeat the text displayed during Unchosen's opening sequence: "Over 2,000 cults exist in the United Kingdom. Some are closed communities. But many, like this fictional one, live in plain sight." While these recommendations may not all centre on genuine cults, they definitely possess a cult-like atmosphere, wrapped in secrecy, seclusion, and propelled by a mission we ordinary folk won't entirely grasp.
Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey (2022)
This four-part documentary series delves into the harsh realities of growing up, living, and escaping the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, an offshoot of mainstream Mormonism. Multiple members and survivors of the FLDS recount their experiences under the leadership of president Rulon Jeffs, who created the phrase that would become the series' title, and his son Warren Jeffs. The younger Jeffs succeeded his father as the church's leader and is currently serving a life sentence for child sex offences.
Ex-members reveal the realities of existing under the church's extreme regulations and how the Jeffs wielded their authority over their congregation. We witness siblings, nieces, and nephews forced into marriages with family members, with male church members having numerous wives and children. The series almost appears too far-fetched to be true, but then you recall it's a documentary. The accusations and examination of child sex offences, human trafficking, child marriage, welfare fraud, and mistreatment of members and ex-members has shaped the outside world's perception of the church in recent times.
The Village (2004)
Haunted by mysterious, nameless beings, a tiny, isolated settlement in 19th-century Pennsylvania exists in perpetual terror. Following a young resident's death from sickness, Joaquin Phoenix's Lucius Hunt seeks the elders' approval to journey through the nearby forest for medical provisions. When his plea is rejected, the reasoning given is to prevent further catastrophes. Romance develops between Lucius and the visually impaired daughter of one of the village's elders (Ivy, played by Bryce Dallas Howard), before Lucius sustains severe injuries. Ivy sets out seeking assistance, but appearances prove deceiving. After all, M. Night Shyamalan is directing. There's a revelation... there's always a twist. This thriller feeds on manipulation and falsehoods, essential tools for strengthening members' conviction in their version of events.
The Wicker Man (1973 & 2006)
While the 2006 reimagining of The Wicker Man might not represent Nicolas Cage's greatest performance, the original 1973 film's initial commercial failure transformed into a devoted following over subsequent years. The narrative focuses on a police officer's journey to a fictional remote island while investigating a disappeared girl. The island's residents have turned their backs on Christianity and now follow a type of Celtic paganism, but something far more sinister is at play. The 1973 version remains a cult classic, celebrated for its eerie atmosphere and shocking conclusion.
Louis Theroux's My Scientology Movie (2015)
Scientology is one of those movements that has lurked in the shadows of Hollywood for decades. One of your favourite actors or musicians has probably been linked with the organisation. There's nobody better equipped to attempt confronting the Church of Scientology than Louis Theroux, particularly after the church declines to participate in the documentary. In typical Louis Theroux fashion, nothing follows the usual script. Rather, the documentary seeks to recreate testimonies from ex-members regarding incidents involving the church's top brass, with assistance from former church official Mark Rathbun. One of the most striking moments occurs when Louis and his team find themselves under surveillance and challenged outside the church's mysterious Gold Base compound in California. Intimidation seems to be a recurring pattern that extends beyond the documentary itself. Ex-members have described being confronted while carrying out their daily routines and voicing criticism of Scientology. It makes for a deeply strange and maddening viewing experience, as we never truly grasp the extent to which the church is allegedly pulling strings behind the scenes.
