Hi all,
My friend and I have begun a routine of watching cult, cons, & coercion documentaries together. I’m wondering if there are any really good ones that I’m missing - specifically about women-led cults, woman scammers, con artists, or others that are within that vibe. (To be clear - we aren’t women haters haha we’re just tired of watching the ones about men)
Documentaries I’ve seen so far include:
- Our all-time favorite, Anatomy of Lies on Peacock - A handful of docs and biopic style dramas about Elizabeth Holmes, Sherri Papini, Belle Gibson, Anna Delvey, Lori Vallow, and Jodi Hildebrandt - most on HBO Max (Love has Won, The Way Down about Gwen Shamblin, Breath of Fire about the Kundalini girl) - one about Teal Swan on Amazon Prime - Scamanda on Hulu - Maternal Instinct, A Toxic Love Story, and Con Mum on Netflix
I may be forgetting a couple but please let me know if you know of any that fit into this general vibe! Thank you so much.
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If you're into con artists in general, I recently watched a breakdown of Elizabeth Holmes that focused more on the business side of how the deception unfolded. It was a really interesting perspective compared to most documentaries.
Evil Genius on Netflix is one of my faves, might fit the bill for you!
Adding to the list - thank you!
It’s technically not a documentary but Inventing Anna is so fun to watch, it might be worth making an exception for (based on a true story about Anna Sorkin, who pretended to be a German heiress)
Yes, I love this one! Thanks for adding.
I think it’s called the Con or the Con Artist on Hulu
Thank you!
Wild Wild Country — the guru was a man but the series is mostly centered on his (absolutely fascinating) female lieutenant.
Oh yes! It’s been a while since I’ve watched this one. Thanks!
How to fix a drug scandal Bad vegan Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story Worst Roommate Ever and Worst Ex Ever and Worst Neighbor ever all have episodes where women are the perpetrators Killer Sally Candy and or Love & Death Maybe there's a few in here to get you started. I would check Hulu too. I can't think right now of the ones on there but I know there are some more.
Dirty John and Love & Death/Candy are great ones. Also love the each of the Worst Ever series. Haven’t watched Killer Sally! Thanks for adding.
Sante Kimes was a piece of work.
I'll never get over Mary Tyler Moore's portrayal of her in the made-for-TV movie
Omg here’s one I haven’t heard of! Thank you for adding - we’ll look her up!
Kenneth was such a promising boy too.
Jen McCabe of the Karen Read case is a complete sociopath.
Thanks for adding! I haven’t watched any of the Karen Read coverage so I’ll be sure to check it out. Pretty sure there’s a doc on HBO Max
The Woman Who Wasn’t There
Yesss thanks for adding! We just read about this one last night.
Twisted yoga
*Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare* on Netflix
The Family about Anne Hamilton Byrne. So creepy.
Wow, I looked her up and that is crazy… Can’t believe I’ve never heard of this. Thank you for adding
Love has won: the cult of mother god
Five plus ones for this!
Absolutely, this is one of our go-tos
Believe in Magic The Mother of All Cons. It's on Prime, available through BBC Select. It's absolutely nuts.
Oh this is EXACTLY what I’m looking for!!! Watching today - thank you for adding!
Catching Fire - Anita Pallenberg
Bad Nanny (unraveling serial scammer Samantha Cookes, also known as Carrie Jade Williams) is good. Available on YouTube i think or Irelands RTE player if you have a VPN.
This is exactly the kind of story I had in mind - thank you so much for sharing! I’ve never heard of this one
Exposed: the case of Keli Lane The Missing Millionairess Con Girl
Yessss, these are great recs! Thank you for sharing.
My friend had a podcast for years now calls "Cults I'd Join". So many cults investigated! She grew up in a religious cult- she is wickedly intelligent, fun and through.
I will definitely check it out, and what a kind description of your friend! I grew up in a cult too and this sort of content tends to feel very validating and helpful rather than triggering. Thanks so much!
Sorry for my spelling!! Pre coffee and I'm always excited to promote her!
Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God
Came here to mention this one! Crazy to see that there’s still some cult members hanging on, despite their leader dying.
this is not what you asked for but “Sherman’s March” from the 80s is, among other things, a documentary portrait of a lot of fascinating, surprising, normal women. (None of them scammers, they’re just … really interesting.)
Dear Zachary is a very sad one so buckle up. This one isn't about a cult leader persay but the woman perpetrator did get away with causing harm and mayhem to several generations of family and friends in rural Canada.
Liar The Fake Grooming Scandal Prime The Soulful Journey Cult HBO
Also How To Create a Sex Scandal HBO
Jonestown: The Women Behind the Massacre (Hulu) Savior Complex (HBO)
Aimee Semple McPherson is the original. She's been portrayed many times including in the original series of Star Trek.
Fantastic mention. I know allllll about her from growing up in (and leaving) a religious cult, lol.
would the Gypsy Rose Blanchard case count?
Yes, definitely fits into this category! I forgot to add - thank you!
Orgasm Inc. The things people will go along with...
Yesssss! We love this one.
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Tell Them You Love Me is diabolical. Most effed up woman I’ve ever seen in a documentary
The Way Down Docuseries about Gwen Shamblin.
Tabloid by Errol Morris. Absolutely bananas. You will be agog.
There’s a more obscure one called Forbidden Lie$ the starts out debunking one thing and unravels a lot more.
talhotblond, unknown number: high school catfish, the catfish movie. anything about heaven’s gate!
Wild wild Country
Love has won: the cult of mother god is fascinating.
LuLaRich on Amazon prime about the LuLaRoe leggings pyramid scheme
NXiVM
Momcon
Or wait, con Mom. It’s so good.