It probably comes to NO SURPRISE that I love crime documentaries. With how many crime dramas I watch, this is on brand for me. I have watched other cult crime documentaries so; cult crime documentaries are nothing new to me. This documentary stood out to me. There were somethings that I loved about it and some other things that I didn't think it needed or that I think the audience should know if they want to dive into it. You can watch this on NETFLIX right now.
*Now as per usual with any review I write, I will not be including any spoilers in this review.*
Overall, I think if you are a fan of watching crime documentaries, you will find this one interesting. There is something always fascinating about cults no matter what country they are in. In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal was just that. It was fascinating but also creepy and horrifying at the same time. I will warn you; this is not an easy watch. It was chilling and shocking to see what these cult leaders did and what these cults were about.
PROS
Chilling Insight
Now since this is not my first cult true crime documentary, I had some idea but what I was getting into. This documentary still surprised me! There are a few Korean dramas and Movies that are about cults and after learning about some of the real cults in Korea, it makes sense. This documentary did an amazing job in going into depth on each case and each cult. You got the history of every cult featured and got some insight into the cult. It was a very interesting watch but again, a difficult one at the same time. You can tell the documentary did its' research. For a crime documentary, it is very well done.
Interviews and Evidence
An aspect of this crime documentary that makes it so good are the interviews and evidence that it gave. The documentary found ex and maybe even current members of the cults and interviewed them. Some of the members' faces were hidden but others allowed themselves to be seen. Having these insights and opinions on each cult gave some gravity and weight to the documentary. It was fascinating hearing the testimonies and getting some insider insight into the cults. Now, having watched multiple crime documentaries about cults, the testimonies were nothing new compared to other testimonies given about other cults BUT they were still heartbreaking and hard to listen to no matter how many times you hear them. These people were still victims and it is so sad hearing how they were manipulated and used while being involved in these cults. The documentary also had pictures and videos and recordings to back up the stories as well.
Fascinating/Could Not Stop Watching
I was hooked the minute I clicked play. It is fascinating to watch and learn about these cults. I think I found this documentary so interesting because I had never heard of these cults. Other documentaries I have watched, I had heard of some of the cults that were featured. So, the fact that I went into In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal knowing nothing, I think I was hooked even more by the documentary and what it was talking about. If you are a fan of crime documentaries, I am sure you will feel the same way if you choose to watch this one.
CONS
Not Easy to Watch
This documentary DEFINITELY not an easy watch. The documentary has many trigger warnings from Sexual Assault to murder etc. It shows graphic content and doesn't hide much. What makes it a credible documentary makes it a difficult watch as well.
Interviews
The interviews are both a pro and a con. While the interviews give gravity and weight to what the documentary is talking about, the details divulged in the interviews are also one of the reasons this documentary is difficult to watch. The descriptions given in the interviews are very detailed and sometimes difficult to listen too. One of the interviewees is suing the cult she was involved in and I have to admire her. She does not hide her face and it is clear this documentary sort of came about because of her story. That is admirable that she is not backing down and telling her experience with all the details.
Seemed Repetitive a Little
This documentary covers multiple cults across its episodes. If you binge this, you might see similarities and the same themes running through all of the cults. For example, the leader might make their followers interpret him or her as the messiah. Other documentaries and cults in other countries have this same theme or similar ones. If you binge this, you might like some episodes/cases over others. You might also think these same themes or similarities make each of these cults repetitive because of these similarities. It might make a few of its watchers bored. It really depends on personal taste. I saw these similarities and did notice the repetitiveness but never got bored.
Rating: 8.5/10 (Streaming on NETFLIX now)
So, have you seen In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal?
What did you think?
Is it on your list to watch?
Are you a fan of crime documentaries?
Will you watch this documentary now after reading my review?
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