In honor of the new streaming series Utopia hitting amazon this weekend, we decided to take a look at and rank the Best Ever Movies with Cults in Them. Let us know @Siftpop what your ranking is!
Mandy (2018) is the ethereal love story of Red and Mandy, until one day when their love is burnt to ash literally by Jerimiah Sand and his maniacal hippie cult. Red then delves into the darker portions of himself to exact revenge on those that wronged him to his very core. The film is one part high fantasy love story and one part savage revenge film. Cosmatos constructs a beautiful world that slowly dips into an acid trip of madness, rich with vibrant splashes of neon colors straight out of a blacklight poster. Nicholas Cage and Andrea Riseborough have a natural chemistry that is unmatched. Their relationship in the initial acts ignites the initial spark for the murderous rampage that commences in the second half of the film. As the story shifts, so does the cinematography and the score. The late Jóhann Jóhannsson forges a score in a similar fashion that Red does his axe, with elegance and aggression. Mandy is a film to get lost in and offers a unique experience that exudes creativity on all fronts. (Joe Vargas)
I think a lot of people missed out on Ready or Not last year, so I’m glad that I get the chance to recommend it this week. After Grace (Samara Weaving) has just been married into her new husband’s family that has a tradition of playing a sinister game on their newest members wedding night, she’ll have to run and hide from her in-laws and survive until dawn before they catch her to use as a sacrifice. I think it’s always fun when a movie takes something like Hide and Seek, something that’s so innocent, and makes it dark. This makes things a whole lot more suspenseful going through this giant, dimly- lit mansion. I’d also like to mention that this movie has put Weaving on my radar for actresses to look out for. I absolutely love all of her line deliveries during the few comedic moments she gets. Another performance that stood out to me is Adam Brody as the groom’s brother, and going into the movie I didn’t think he’d be one of my favorite characters, but I left the movie thinking that he definitely was. If you’re in the U.S. Ready or Not is currently on HBO Max, and if you haven’t seen it then I think this is one you should add to your list. (Alex Henderson)
This movie traumatised my partner. I‘m not even talking about the horror elements of the story, but the metaphor – that is what shook him to his core, and that is what’s great about Ari Aster’s Swedish cult film. Set almost completely during the day, with bright colours galore, this is not your ordinary scary fest. In fact, it’s like Aster went from having made one of the more traditionally terrifying horror’s in Hereditary, and decided to challenge himself by trying to still scare the ever living daylights out his audience, but with no repeat themes or cues – and boy does he succeed. Starring a magnificent Florence Pugh (she’s my big girl crush at the moment), you follow her story as she goes from desperate girlfriend to a woman of her own, who finds her people – even if her people aren’t quite right. It’s a story of tradition, purpose and breaking the boundaries between who you’re meant to be and who you are. It’s also a story of relationships, a symbolic representation of desperately holding on to something you know is no longer there, and the freedom that comes when you finally accept the truth. At the same time, it’s one that will legitimately affect the way you act for the rest of the day. Brilliant, evocative and beautiful in its horror, it’s a cult film makes drinking the koolaid (or the red drink they present) worth it. (Alice Micheli)
I’m a true fan of horror, and this film hit the spot. You get a little family drama, along with a cult. Sounds promising right? Well, it is from the beginning to the very last chilling end. Hereditary follows after the death of the matriarch of the Graham family, her daughter and grandchildren finding out the terrifying secrets their mother/grandmother left behind and the fate they’ve inherited. This feature film directorial debut by Ari Aster is downright scary, particularly one of the very few beginning scenes that’ll smack you right in the face. The film is believable and good, thanks to the cast. Toni Collette as Annie, the mother trying to keep it together after the death of her mother, but falling apart at the seams. Collette is downright electric in this film and every moment is a scene-stealer, but Alex Wolff as her scared as shit son, Peter, is at the top with her, keeping you on the edge of your seat. It’s been quite some time since where a film made the hairs stand on the back of my neck. Hereditary definitely made me stay up with the lights on. (Chantal Ashford)
Before I can allow you to continue your initiation, first we must discuss another Indiana Jones film. Admittedly, Temple of Doom is on the bottom half of my Indiana Jones rankings; however, much like the other Indiana Jones movies, this prequel of the series teaches a unique lesson on the artifacts the titular character of Henry “Indiana” Jones Jr. hunts for. This time, however, instead of Nazi’s, Dr. Jones is pitted against a phanatical cult that has stolen the religious artifacts of a local village, while also kidnapping their children, while teamed up with a lounge singer and an orphan. While this film has probably aged the worst of the Indiana Jones trilogy, it is still a fascinating movie showing a darker side of the character of Indiana Jones at the beginning (trading an artifact to a crime lord for diamonds…..what has gotten into you Henry), only for him to learn that as much as historical artifacts may be worth financially, their cultural value can be beyond priceless. This, coupled with witty back and forward between our main characters makes this movie quite the entertaining watch, and worth including when watching the series. (Joseph Davis)
What could possibly follow-up the horrifying evil of the Overlook Hotel in this long overdue and gestating sequel to The Shining? I think a group of aura-sucking immortals will do the trick. Mike Flanagan did the unthinkable and near impossible by delivering a satisfying sequel to Kubrick’s horror classic. Ewan McGregor is an adult Danny Torrance who must defend a young girl with The Shine against this cult of monsters led by Rose the Hat (played with impeccable energy and mystique by the ever-talented Rebecca Ferguson). This ambitious epic delivers heart shattering painful scenes along with incredibly inventive sequences that make an engaging story that really lives and breathes on its own…for the first 2 hours at least. But honestly, who could ever expect a sequel to The Shining without a return to its roots at the Overlook. Doctor Sleep is a must see experience with all the horrific and cultist trimmings. (Shane Conto)
Cabin in the Woods at first glance appears to be your average teen horror movie. Stupid teens go up north to a cabin they gain access for a weekend of careless debauchery. They mess around and unleash a terror upon themselves and it wreaks carnage on them. Thing is, they aren’t stupid, they are actually quite clever and the carelessness is by design by this underground agency that through the traditions framiliarized by horror tactics of the region. Now you might be saying, Evan, how is this agency cult-like? Well, there is a secret society that has been around for millenia who engineer ritualistic sacrifices to stave off the end of days brought by imprisoned “old gods.” If that doesn’t sound culty, I don’t know what is. This subversive brilliant film is amazingly creative and has so many little details that makes rewatching almost a requirement. It also does a masterful job of balancing out the humor with straight horror that threads the needle so well you will be laughing while unspeakable things are happening on screen. (Evan Lucken)
In the second entry in director Edgar Wright’s Cornetto Trilogy (and my personal favorite), Wright sets his sights on lampooning buddy cop action comedies with a slasher film twist.
Sgt. Nicholas Angle, err, sorry…Angel (Simon Pegg), gets shipped out of London by cohorts jealous of his prodigious record to a seemingly perfect, picturesque town in the British countryside. However, there’s something rotten in Sanford as a series of fatal “accidents” befall some of the town’s residents.
The investigation into the deaths leads to the uncovering of a secret cult that has been systematically ridding the town of whatever they deem to be a nuisance, all in the name of the greater good (the greater good). Much like the rest of the film, the satire of cinematic portrayals of cults is just fantastic. The discovery of the cult could not be any more cliché, with members meeting at night, chanting in Latin while clad in cloaks and ominously lit, and that’s the point.
Seeing the crazed cultists get their crazy and violent comeuppance in a final act straight out of the action movie playbook, is immensely cathartic. When paired with Wright’s knack for clever callbacks, it’s why the film remains one of the most enjoyable and rewatchable films in recent memory. (Jake Bourgeois)
Ok, so I know I have made it a bit of a habit to write about Batman, particularly The Dark Knight. That said, the trilogy had to have a beginning, as did Batman. As far as series starters are concerned, Batman Begins grounds and explores the birth of Gotham’s Knight. One massively important element that Begins does so well is dives into where a young Bruce Wayne learns to be so effective in striking fear into the scourge of Gotham’s underbelly. Showing him start with street level crime fighting petty thugs and working his way into the League of Shadows to bring his training to new heights and inspires Bruce to take on a mantle that would be harder to destroy. It just so happens that the League of Shadows is also a cult terrorist syndicate hellbent on “correcting” humanity with Gotham directly in their theocratic crosshairs. It also makes a great explanation of Ra’s Al Ghul’s immortality and legend building themes that carry to the end of the series. Christian Bale is up there as the best on screen batman, and Liam Neeson makes a perfect “Head of the Dragon.” The only thing missing is hearing him call Batman “Detective”, but with Matt Reeves’ The Batman set to come out later next year, maybe we will get another shot, but grounded Batman films have this theatrical entry to thank. (Evan Lucken)
I don’t think Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood is Quentin Tarantino’s best film, but it is certainly in my top two or three favorites. The film paints a magical picture of Hollywood in the 1960s which is able to create nostalgia for a time where I wasn’t even a thought. It is a testament to Tarantino’s directorial genius that he can create this lighthearted and carefree feeling which leads up to a dark time for the area and film industry as a whole. And when I’m thinking of this film, the cult aspect isn’t even one of the first aspects of it to come to mind, but it’s of course at the center of everything that happens. Because seeing Brad Pitt confronting the Manson Family is one of the most haunting things Tarantino has put to film amid his messages of aging and historical perception. This is all without mention of Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie being the center of the rose-colored lenses through which Tarantino is portraying Tinseltown. Their performances bring the whole film together to make it a perfect representation of everything Tarantino wants to express. (Robert Bouffard)
Honorable Mentions
Suspiria
When looking at a new dance school, what kind of proprietors would you entrust with your dance education? Witches of course! A coven is obviously the ideal team of dance teachers when it comes to a horror film. Dario Argento will go down as the king of Giallo as he was a master of mystery mixed with over the top gruesome horror that is colorful and brutal. The soundtrack from Goblin is provocative and bombastic as it melds well with the tantalizing visuals of this horror flick. Is it cheesy? It sure is! Does that make it so much better? Indeed. This cultist gang of witches sure know how to make a frightening and bloody educational experience. And just think, Luca Guadagnino upped the ante and made this witch’s coven even more disturbing with his own version of the film that is less colorful and campy and more brutal and grotesque. Two different visions, but the same level of cultist mayhem! (Shane Conto)
The Babysitter
Look, is this movie great? No, but is it an entertaining, ridiculous entry into the horror comedy genre? I thought so.
The film follows Cole (Judah Lewis), who takes his friend’s advice and stays up one night to discover that his babysitter, Bee (Samara Weaving), and her friends have made a deal with the devil and intend on carrying out a blood ritual. Cole then spends the rest of the night dodging the cult members and taking them out in ridiculous and violent ways, largely by accident.
Fittingly, it appears this film was received well enough by the subscriber base to earn a cult classic status and gain enough of a following to (inexplicably) greenlight a sequel. It’s not a film that’s for everyone and I may have just been that I happened to catch this one when I was in the right mood, but if you can suspend every bit of your disbelief, you might find yourself on a fun ride. (Jake Bourgeois)
The Invitation
Director Karyn Kusama’s 2015 horror-thriller, The Invitation, is a movie that you might need to pause every once in a while so you can compose yourself after what you have seen, and also to prepare yourself for what comes next. Yes, it’s that chilling. The story follows Will (Logan Marshall-Green) and his girlfriend, Kira (Emayatzy Corinealdi), who are invited to a dinner at the home of his ex-wife (Tammy Blanchard) and her husband (Michiel Huisman), who have invited other people over as well. The guests soon realize that their hosts have sinister motives behind this gathering. The performances all around are terrific, but what’s most unexpected is the hard-hitting drama between Green and Blanchard’s characters that provides some insight into what caused them to separate. It’s an adequate mix of emotion in between the scares and thrills, succeeding in anchoring you to the story. This movie is a disquieting slow burn throughout as you’re given details little by little, and the buildup of said details soon throws you into a heart-hammering third act, all of which leads up to a startling conclusion. If you’re looking for a movie that will shred your nerves, this is an invitation that you must accept, and the suspense of this movie might have you wanting to bring a plus-one to help get each other through it. (Vincent Abbatecola)
Eyes Wide Shut
Sex Cult Leader Frank here to write about Eyes Wide Shut. What can I say about this movie? No, I’m literally asking for help here. I mean, Siftpop is largely a family friendly brand. How can I be expected to write a BEC article about cults in movies and NOT insist on writing about the one movie that has a sex cult/ orgy scene. Eyes Wide Shut was directed by Stanley Kubrick and stars Nichole Kidman and Tom Cruise in what I consider to be a classic comedy. This is easily my favorite Stanley Kubrick film, but keep in mind out of his 16 films, I’ve only seen 4 (2001, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket). So, take that for what you will. It is expertly shot with imagery that will stick with you. Like Tom Cruise running around Times Square all alone…wait, was that Eyes Wide Shut or did I dream that?. Anyways, I digress. It’s a two and a half hour movie of Tom Cruise struggling to get laid, that ends with a punchline. To stay on point, THE CULT scene in it is fantastic, setting a very dark overtone that the film was building towards and it pays off big. I cannot recommend this film enough. Kubrick sets up the entire movie as one long drawn out joke to set up a simple punchline. Unlike the main character of the movie, I AM IN! (Frank Kemp)
Also See: Apostle, Children of the Corn, End of Days, Holy Smoke, Martha Marcy May Marlene, Rosemary’s Baby, The Devil Rides Out, The Master, The Wicker Man (1973)