"How to Become a Cult Leader" takes you on a journey through the unorthodox path of becoming a cult leader. This tongue-in-cheek journey is the central theme of Netflix's latest six-part docu-comedy. It is a follow-up to the 2021 series "How to Become a Tyrant." With a shared production team of Jake Laufer, Jonas Bell Pasht, and Jonah Bekhor, along with the invaluable contribution of Peter Dinklage as the narrator and executive producer, the show embarks on dissecting infamous cult leaders' lives.
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The narrative format of "How to Become a Cult Leader" mirrors its predecessor: providing step-by-step instructions on achieving power, supplemented by expert interviews and related archival footage. Notable advice includes "Hone Your Dogma," "Construct Your Paradise," and "Gain Full Control Over Information." This successful framework offers opportunities to convey real information and draw captivating correlations beyond humorous assertions.
The series has a tendency to focus mainly on high-profile cult leaders. For example, Charles Manson, Jim Jones, and the duo behind Heaven's Gate. The more intriguing episodes spotlight lesser-known figures like Shoko Asahara, founder of the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo, and Jaime Gomez from Buddhafield. There are references to lesser-known cults throughout the series, teasing the possibility of future seasons dedicated to more obscure subjects.
The comedic undertones of the series inevitably dilute the depth of each episode. The 30-minute per episode runtime, dedicated to figures who have previously been subjects of more extensive documentaries, leaves little room for profound exploration. Expert opinions from commentators like Ivor Davis on Manson, Jeff Guinn on Jones, and Benjamin Zeller on Heaven's Gate are often clichés.
The inclination to maintain a light-hearted approach leads to a relatively sanitized portrayal of grave incidents. For example, the Manson Family murders, the mass suicides/murders of the Peoples Temple in Guyana, and the Aum Shinrikyo bombing in the Tokyo subway. The humorous animation and Dinklage's flawless narration style help keep the grim reality at bay.
Compared to its predecessor, "How to Become a Cult Leader" is less provocative, focusing more on humor than critical analysis. Some perceived missteps include attempted criticism of the public and media interest in cults. This is seemingly hypocritical given that streaming platforms have profited significantly from this fascination.
Despite the shortcomings, the show is cleverly structured and features several intriguing connections. Dinklage's contributions elevate the overall viewing experience. However, by the end of the fifth episode, the show seems to exhaust its reservoir of satirical ideas. The concluding episode attempts to tie the series together. Albeit unsatisfactorily, with a lackluster focus on Sun Myung Moon and the Unification Church.
One notable absence is any form of a call to action. Perhaps a link to a cult awareness network or deprogramming organization could be beneficial given the subject matter. The producers walk a fine line between humor and insensitivity, sometimes teetering towards the latter. "How to Become a Cult Leader" manages to infuse dark subject matter with a dose of fun, yet it arguably owes more to its audience, perhaps in the form of awareness or education about the harsh realities of cults.
