I remember this happening, it made headlines around the world, but, as the documentary tells us, it was very shallow reporting and this documentary certainly delved deeper and it makes it all the sadder and it should really serve as a warning as to how easily people can be 'brainwashed' into being part of a cult and never actually realising it, something that is publicly happening right now in America.
I have to disagree with the reviewer who blames mental illness as being a factor in the ease of To and Do 'recruiting' members and the ultimate act they took. These were intelligent people, but, I felt that many were looking for answers they couldn't find in 'normal' society or a sense of belonging and that is not a mental health problem. The documentary was very clear about that. The interviewees were all interesting in different ways, from the man who is still indoctrinated to the point he still calls the human body a 'vehicle' to the daughter having to deal with both parents committing suicide, having abandoned her to join the cult and to the man who is finally moving on from his loss.
It should be a warning as to even the most intelligent people are at risk and that gullibility has nothing to do with a person's intelligence because at the end of the day it was gullibility that allowed them to believe such utter nonsense espoused by Ti and Do and that is what all religions rely on, gullibility and a failure to want to question.
I would recommend this, it is nearly 4 hours worth of TV, but, unlike the recent 'Murder On Middle Beach' it is not padded out or over long. It is a lesson on how easily cults begin and how they recruit their members.
20 Reviews
Just barely scratches the surface
jambazz10 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
While this series is somewhat successful in showing what the Heaven's Gate Cult was about, it barely scratches the surface, and does so clumsily.
*** Spoilers below! ***
The series barely mentions what the members do to pass time, which is interesting enough, since they spent 25 years on the road or living in rented mansions seemingly all over the country. Early on we know how Heaven's Gate members are about to ascend to alien UFOs in the 70'es, but what kept the members part of this cult when they didn't ascend? We learn some of the members earn money with computer jobs, but what about the rest of the group, what did they do?
In the first episode we are introduced to Robert Balch, a sociologist who infiltrates the group only to write back on what he saw. He joins with a friend under false pretense. But the mule seems to stay in the group throughout the many years of Heavens Gate, and we never get to hear about why he stayed, how long he stayed, what he found out, or why he left. His friend is barely mentioned.
In the finale episode it is revealed through letters to her daughter from the founding "Ti" persona, that she was a hypocrite. The daughter reads exceprts from the letters to surviving members of the group, a year after the suicides. This is such a powerful section of this tale, but only 2 minutes is spent on it! Why didn't the daughter expose her mother prior? Why didn't she expose her mother to the Heavens Gate followers and families, when her mother died back in 1985? It is almost evil how she tells it a year after the fact. We should at least get some reactions from the surviving members, instead we get 3rd part info from the mysterious mule who seemed to be nowhere and everywhere throughout the entire timeline of the Heavens Gate.
On a psychological level, as to why people would join a cult in the first place this show does not know where to stand. We are told "everybody" can join a cult, but at the same time we are told most people leave cults. We are told this could have happened to anybody no matter how bright, but at the same time shown video of a social experiment in which 2 out of 3 fall victim to group pressure, implying that at least 1 out of 3 would be able to stick to their beliefs. And so the show fails to investigate who and really why people joined this group.
In the first episode we are introduced to Robert Balch, a sociologist who infiltrates the group only to write back on what he saw. He joins with a friend under false pretense. But the mule seems to stay in the group throughout the many years of Heavens Gate, and we never get to hear about why he stayed, how long he stayed, what he found out, or why he left. His friend is barely mentioned.
In the finale episode it is revealed through letters to her daughter from the founding "Ti" persona, that she was a hypocrite. The daughter reads exceprts from the letters to surviving members of the group, a year after the suicides. This is such a powerful section of this tale, but only 2 minutes is spent on it! Why didn't the daughter expose her mother prior? Why didn't she expose her mother to the Heavens Gate followers and families, when her mother died back in 1985? It is almost evil how she tells it a year after the fact. We should at least get some reactions from the surviving members, instead we get 3rd part info from the mysterious mule who seemed to be nowhere and everywhere throughout the entire timeline of the Heavens Gate.
On a psychological level, as to why people would join a cult in the first place this show does not know where to stand. We are told "everybody" can join a cult, but at the same time we are told most people leave cults. We are told this could have happened to anybody no matter how bright, but at the same time shown video of a social experiment in which 2 out of 3 fall victim to group pressure, implying that at least 1 out of 3 would be able to stick to their beliefs. And so the show fails to investigate who and really why people joined this group.
Finally
theknownames11 December 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast. So I was thinking how could this be better ? Well, the images and interviews for one.
What is remarkable about some of the reviews is that there are people who rate this low because they immediately claim that they could never fall for something like this , well anyone can tell you that these reviewers are actually the most vulnerable since certainty breeds deception.
The timing of this amidst the NXIVM drama unfolding may take away from the fact that these very real and profound events took place years before and have little to nothing to do with the type of bs peddled in NXIVM.
Now It's helpful that more of these stories are coming to light now and while we can hope that time and education will help us or our loved ones from making the same mistakes some things can not be avoided as we quest for righteousness acceptance and love in this life.
Those of us who remember the events leading up to this as it unfolded finally get an in-depth retelling of events.
Leaves more questions unanswered
branflakes45472 June 2023
I must say this doc is slow to the point, but it offers a truly inside look at this, almost entirely from first hand accounts. The music was great, with a great score, and soundtrack with some unexpected tunes from bands you know. One thing that this doc did right was the fact that they never broke the aspect ratio, as in they kept everything in 16:9 or relative, instead of going full Wes Anderson with the true aspect ratios of the different sets of film used over the years. In other words, they never broke the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. This detail might not seem important, but it helped maintain the immersion and once I noticed I couldn't help but appreciate the tricks they used to make it work. Great editing, and a film that takes its time. It lets most of the anecdotes breathe and be felt with proper impact, and it did not feel like they were manipulating the testimonies for any sort of rhetoric or agenda, other than to take a very deep inside look into the strange minds of men.
Fascinating and tragic
pledgerock9 December 2020
Frank and Sawyer are both captivating as the two most covered interviewees throughout this mini series. The growth of Applewhite's cult from humble beginnings to a mass suicide that took the lives of 39 people is expertly covered here. Animation department did some great work with some of these sequences. It's heartbreaking. There are no easy answers, sadly. But at the end of this you'll see the late members of Heaven's Gate not as deluded freaks but as what they really are. Human.
Interesting But Loses Focus
Willie-1217 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults is certainly interesting, and will probably keep most viewers' attention. However, it does get a little bogged down in the middle, as it tries to give an explanation for the different focus of the group after the death of Ti. It's dealt with in a way that would suggest that everyday (for lack of a better word) Christians would have seen the group becoming more Christian-like. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, there's a point in the second part where religious scholar Reza Aslan says that after the death of Ti there were many more parallels with the Christ-story. He said the HG followers began to change the focus (based on the direction from Ti) and had to do damage control that led to cognitive dissonance. He then claimed that's what Christ's followers did when He died on the cross. Aslan conveniently forgets the fact that Christ made it clear that he was going to die, and then rise again. Jesus said that, and the prophets of the Old Testament said that too...that the Messiah would come, be rejected by his own people, would be sacrificed, and then would rise from the dead. Apparently Aslan has never actually read the Bible, especially the Old Testament. Now one doesn't have to believe any of that. That's their prerogative. But stating broad untruths isn't helpful to anyone. Perhaps Aslan should remember that. Now, other than a lack of focus in the middle, and the use of ignorant "experts" (I'm assuming Aslan wasn't purposely deceiving viewers), this was a pretty good documentary.
Update: This is for a user named profeshalice who made this statement at the end of his or her comment:
"If people want this to be more interesting perhaps they should look to fiction."
Fiction? Really? There are plenty of non-fiction stories that are very interesting. I think what most people were complaining about was the bias nature of the doc as evidenced by using a supposed "theologian" (Reza Aslan) to make comparisons between the beliefs of the Heaven's Gate cultists and Christians. The two do not compare, and the makers of this film (HBO included) should be more responsible and objective when choosing their sources. They're the ones who were pedalling fiction here.
Update: This is for a user named profeshalice who made this statement at the end of his or her comment:
"If people want this to be more interesting perhaps they should look to fiction."
Fiction? Really? There are plenty of non-fiction stories that are very interesting. I think what most people were complaining about was the bias nature of the doc as evidenced by using a supposed "theologian" (Reza Aslan) to make comparisons between the beliefs of the Heaven's Gate cultists and Christians. The two do not compare, and the makers of this film (HBO included) should be more responsible and objective when choosing their sources. They're the ones who were pedalling fiction here.
Heavens Gate: The Cult of Cults 2020 Review
chandean-6976212 January 2021
Heavens Gate has been a subject i've always been extremely interested in. I've even written school papers on them.
That being said, there are major misconceptions about this "cult", and this documentary series is one of the best things to watch to get information about Heavens Gate that doesn't come off too one-sided or misconstrued.
So little is known about this cult, its origin, its teachings, it's difficult and confusing innards, and it's oddballed participants and leaders, but this documentary series does a really good job explaining all of its extremely interesting inner workings, how the cult changes over time, and how it ultimately ended.
Heavens Gate is a really sad, mysterious, odd and even charming story as a whole, and this series really bundles it up nicely.
Definitely recommend this to anybody who's interested in cults, religion, or even aliens / ufos.
Definitely recommend this to anybody who's interested in cults, religion, or even aliens / ufos.
Good Doc
jewelrogers-043089 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I love HBO documentaries so could be biased but think it was a good documentary. I know the story pretty good but I like the angle this took. I didnt know they were around that long? Learned some new things. Lost me a bit in episode 3 I believe it is where Heavens Gate was compared to Christianity. The goal post was not moved to accommodate Jesus death. It was foretold in scripture from jump. Even Jesus told the disciples what was coming. I was shocked at that comparison especially when it was doubled down. HBO usually does better than that. But, overall enjoyed it. Everyone's looking for something or sense of belonging, and if you put yourself in that time period, you can understand just a bit more why they were interest to begin with.
Wow
TheOneThatYouWanted20 November 2021
Sentimental but enlightening perspective on cult culture.
profeshalice6 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
After watching "Heaven's Gate" I gained a better perspective on the power of persuasion within a cult community. It's easy to see after watching this docuseries how one is groomed over a long period of time into living and aligning with the beliefs within a cult. It is sentimental, but for a reason. We hear from former members, and family members of those who passed in March 1997. If people want this to be more interesting perhaps they should look to fiction.
A respectful look at a sensational event
fredit-4300421 December 2023
I was basically unfamiliar with the factual story behind this, and the apparently disrespectful approach taken by the media at the time. This documentary series had an amazing tone--one of respect. The series did not start by passing judgment through assuming an easy conclusion about the events. Instead, the series set out the "backstory" of Do and Ti and what they were looking for, and how they planned to accomplish their dream. The viewer was left to make an independent conclusion as to whether the basis for this was religion, science fiction, fantasy, mental illness or malice. I detected no tone (or desire) in the film makers to laugh, sneer or feel superior.
Speaking only for myself by the end of the series, I found myself saddened by the non-arrival of what the group (won't call them a cult) had been waiting for. An absolutely remarkable series.
Speaking only for myself by the end of the series, I found myself saddened by the non-arrival of what the group (won't call them a cult) had been waiting for. An absolutely remarkable series.
Well made but lacking.
alexanderlunenborg5 October 2022
The documentary is well made. Lots of original material, interviews with ex members. No annoying voice-over or anything like that. Its really masterfully edited in order to be able to tell the story in such an authentic way. Also nice it caputures the time period contect of the story. Its a period of over 20 years so its interesting to see other things going on that might have inspired or influenced the cult. What I find lacking is that it tries to hard to explain what happens to much from the perspective from the cult members. They do have some outside experts on cults and psychology and all that but what happened is only discussed very broadly, about general techniques used by cults to "brainwash" people. What is unique about this cult is that it started quite large but over the course of those 20 years more and more left, only leaving the people that, well to be frank, apparantly were not 100% there.
What I kept thinking when watching all the cult members performing some acts: These people are obviously completely insane. Not only because of the eventual suicide but also with other things, like performing dangerous surgery in the form of castration on their own members. And of course literally looking at Star Trek for inspiration. I thought the moment that they returned a fancy telescope to the store because they thought it was broken, they couldnt see the UFO through it. Very telling... I had the idea if I was watching a documentary of the local psych ward instead of a cult at times. Usually there is at least some form of coercion by the cult leadership through hierarchy or some other method. People are prevented to leave by threats or something. Nothing like that here, they even all went to Seaworld just before it ended.
Especially because the group was never violent in any way, or tried to hide what they thought, you really got to wonder why these people were never helped. Everybody seems to have been thinking: Oh well, if thats what they want? Or that is was sort of funny to watch these idiots make a spectacle out of themselves. Anyway, the second half of the final episode is quite interesting as it shows all the reactions the event got. But for the most part during the 4 hours I was thinking: Im not watching a documentary about a cult, Im watching home videos of people suffering from mental illness in desperate need of help.
What I kept thinking when watching all the cult members performing some acts: These people are obviously completely insane. Not only because of the eventual suicide but also with other things, like performing dangerous surgery in the form of castration on their own members. And of course literally looking at Star Trek for inspiration. I thought the moment that they returned a fancy telescope to the store because they thought it was broken, they couldnt see the UFO through it. Very telling... I had the idea if I was watching a documentary of the local psych ward instead of a cult at times. Usually there is at least some form of coercion by the cult leadership through hierarchy or some other method. People are prevented to leave by threats or something. Nothing like that here, they even all went to Seaworld just before it ended.
Especially because the group was never violent in any way, or tried to hide what they thought, you really got to wonder why these people were never helped. Everybody seems to have been thinking: Oh well, if thats what they want? Or that is was sort of funny to watch these idiots make a spectacle out of themselves. Anyway, the second half of the final episode is quite interesting as it shows all the reactions the event got. But for the most part during the 4 hours I was thinking: Im not watching a documentary about a cult, Im watching home videos of people suffering from mental illness in desperate need of help.
Terribly lacking
rikirescue-730436 December 2020
I really wanted to like this. I really did. Unfortunately, it was a boring and tedious 4 hours of attempting to make associations between Christianity, science fiction and cultism to explain this mass suicide. This series would have been greatly improved by delving into the mental illness aspect of the two leaders as well as the members. The series gave this group of lost souls a flowery lens, instead of really looking into the grifting, child abandonment and other reprhensible behavior this group of folks participated in. This would have been an amazing opportunity to shed light on the the types of personalities that are at risk to be swallowed up by psycopathic charismatic leaders. This series almost felt like it was making an excuse for the outcome, when it could have really used the platform to shed light on the ugly truth of the matter mental illness and at-risk populations.
Overlong, Repetitious, and Sentimental
Johann_Cat6 January 2021
One of many "mini-series" that makes one ask: "uh, why is this padded, stretched, and larded with repetition to get to four episodes?!" I found this added little to what I learned about this group from reading major newspapers at the time. It relied too much on interviews with people who say banal or predictable things; far too much time is taken by uninteresting, shaky home video shot by the group in the 90s. If you know little about this group going in, the story may have a macabre fascination, but otherwise this documentary will likely register as a missed opportunity to better explain, with more wit and insight, the original motives for and influences on the group, apart from the psychology of the ex-music teacher at its center. Why did this cult emerge in the early 70s ( a low point for Hollywood and TV sci-fi) and extinguish itself in the mid 90s? The sentimental, indicative music and clunky editing adds to its tedium and the sense the film-makers are masking a lack of analysis. This film would have been better if the more historical approach of the first episode were extended, smartly edited, and left at 120 minutes (ep. one is by far the best of the four--as it reflects, yet still doesn't detail, that the group was analyzed and widely reported on in the mid 1970s, including a cover feature in Psychology Today: what did that author argue? Despite having the author on camera, this film doesn't specify).
fascinating subject, but poorly done
Mustang922 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The "Heaven's Gate" Cult... a fascinating subject, that due to the filmmakers/creators, have turned this into one long bore fest.
First of all, 4 hours? It would have improved at least 50%, had they cut this thing in half. There is SO much extraneous time wasted on "talking heads" interviews of family members saying a whole lot of nothing. Sure, some is okay, gotta have that. But it's just too damn much. And even some of the ex-cult member footage, it felt like it was there because they needed 4 hours for CNN or HBO.
Speaking of ex-cult members, the one who's voice is messed up: sometimes they have subtitles for him, and sometimes they didn't. Why? WTF? He's difficult to understand, there should have been subtitles for this dude every time he speaks. This just shows a sloppiness to me on how this doc was made.
And what's with these looney animations that run through the series. I mean, they are weird. Out of place. They don't belong in a documentary like this. Who's "brilliant" idea was it to put this stuff in here? The director's? The producers'? Lame, lame, lame.
Given the subject matter, this could have been a really good doc. So either they didn't have enough home movie footage from the cult members, and other interesting behind-the-scenes footage, or, the filmmaker(s) don't know how to craft a good doc. This wasn't even half as good as "The Vow" (another doc series about another cult). What a shame.
First of all, 4 hours? It would have improved at least 50%, had they cut this thing in half. There is SO much extraneous time wasted on "talking heads" interviews of family members saying a whole lot of nothing. Sure, some is okay, gotta have that. But it's just too damn much. And even some of the ex-cult member footage, it felt like it was there because they needed 4 hours for CNN or HBO.
Speaking of ex-cult members, the one who's voice is messed up: sometimes they have subtitles for him, and sometimes they didn't. Why? WTF? He's difficult to understand, there should have been subtitles for this dude every time he speaks. This just shows a sloppiness to me on how this doc was made.
And what's with these looney animations that run through the series. I mean, they are weird. Out of place. They don't belong in a documentary like this. Who's "brilliant" idea was it to put this stuff in here? The director's? The producers'? Lame, lame, lame.
Given the subject matter, this could have been a really good doc. So either they didn't have enough home movie footage from the cult members, and other interesting behind-the-scenes footage, or, the filmmaker(s) don't know how to craft a good doc. This wasn't even half as good as "The Vow" (another doc series about another cult). What a shame.
Reveals nothing
mafberthold14 March 2023
While they have many sources to interview, they fail to illuminate any of the interesting parts in the story of heavens gate. Nothing about day to day cult life, nothing about the teachings beyond the wikipedia introduction segment level, there is barely any backstory. Watched 2 episodes and learned nothing about heavens gate or cults in general. Dont watch this, do something fun instead or read the whole wikipedia page and learn more in less time...
Such strange priorities by the production company to give you zero, just constant babbling about nothing related to cults or heavens gate or the life in the cult.
Also bewildering chronology, who was in the cult when?
Such strange priorities by the production company to give you zero, just constant babbling about nothing related to cults or heavens gate or the life in the cult.
Also bewildering chronology, who was in the cult when?
Honestly it's incredibly mid
samsepilkrnelpanic28 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The show has its moments from time to time, but for the subject matter that this show discusses, it comes off as surprisingly dull after a while. Other than some clever animation and original footage, the presentation of the show is drab, and hollow. In addition, the quality of interviewees is lacking immensely. It feels like there's so much more information that's missing that we never got to hear.
This doesn't compare at all to other cult docs like Going Clear or Wild Wild Country. In those, the filmmaking is better, the subject matter is more compelling, and the interviews are much more interesting. This is a passive viewing experience, nothing more.
This doesn't compare at all to other cult docs like Going Clear or Wild Wild Country. In those, the filmmaking is better, the subject matter is more compelling, and the interviews are much more interesting. This is a passive viewing experience, nothing more.
Too respectful, not very critical or light-shedding
ThatDoesntMatter17 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I always wanted to know about this group, kind of didn't really follow the news when it happened, so I was interested.
It's not a badly done documentary production-wise.
But it does not really shed light on anything. Really. Not anything. Not even the members that left and realized they were duped were heard as to how and why they did and thought that. Very dissatisfying.
I don't mind the respect given to everybody, and actually think they sure went out voluntarily and peacefully, good for them. All the other after-life fairy-tales that are religions demand you stick it out, this human life, be good and nice snd productive and follow what the religious leader asks of you so they have power and you the promise of life after death. Whatever tickles your fancy.
But the word 'narcissists' was missing. And 'delusion'. And 'wanting to be SPECIAL and CHOSEN'. Why do people follow others, why do they choose to regard them with awe if they're telling their fairy-tales? Were they unloved? Everybody wants to feel loved and welcome and accepted and likes connection and wants to belong. So join a reading club or bake sale or whatever. Not meant in a derogatory way at all.
But man they wanted to feel special. They're glowing with being besotted by their own specialness, THEY know the TRUTH and THEY are near the most special people. I'm sorry, this has nothing to do with being educated, because they sure as heck switched off their brains.
Question everything, even yourself, and especially others who claim to be special.
Maybe some are just followers and are lovin it. Go ahead, believe away, off yourself, whatever. Better that than doing it Daybell-style and killing the kids...
You can put it all into perspective and offer explanations and interpretations and still be respectful.
Which self-delusions are not harmful?
Does having followers always lead to a misuse of power and control? Which sicknesses of minds fall prey on both sides, leader and believer? At least ask the questions!
The daughter saying her parents loved her? No, they didn't. Love doesn't leave (not like this, by choice!). Love wants to keep harm from your children. And the parents cannot claim depression for their suicide. It was all about them.
There was no real insight into anything, and that made this a bit frustrating.
Cult leaders are all narcissists, every rule they implement tells something about them. No sex? Means they have a problem with sex. No family contact? Means....you get the drift. I'm so special!!! - inferiority inside. I am chosen! - I am nothing. I'm going to live forever! - I have a problem with death. Etc etc etc.
So, I now know what they were about, but not who they were. Only who they wanted to be. I know how they died, but not really much about how they lived.
Pity.
It's not a badly done documentary production-wise.
But it does not really shed light on anything. Really. Not anything. Not even the members that left and realized they were duped were heard as to how and why they did and thought that. Very dissatisfying.
I don't mind the respect given to everybody, and actually think they sure went out voluntarily and peacefully, good for them. All the other after-life fairy-tales that are religions demand you stick it out, this human life, be good and nice snd productive and follow what the religious leader asks of you so they have power and you the promise of life after death. Whatever tickles your fancy.
But the word 'narcissists' was missing. And 'delusion'. And 'wanting to be SPECIAL and CHOSEN'. Why do people follow others, why do they choose to regard them with awe if they're telling their fairy-tales? Were they unloved? Everybody wants to feel loved and welcome and accepted and likes connection and wants to belong. So join a reading club or bake sale or whatever. Not meant in a derogatory way at all.
But man they wanted to feel special. They're glowing with being besotted by their own specialness, THEY know the TRUTH and THEY are near the most special people. I'm sorry, this has nothing to do with being educated, because they sure as heck switched off their brains.
Question everything, even yourself, and especially others who claim to be special.
Maybe some are just followers and are lovin it. Go ahead, believe away, off yourself, whatever. Better that than doing it Daybell-style and killing the kids...
You can put it all into perspective and offer explanations and interpretations and still be respectful.
Which self-delusions are not harmful?
Does having followers always lead to a misuse of power and control? Which sicknesses of minds fall prey on both sides, leader and believer? At least ask the questions!
The daughter saying her parents loved her? No, they didn't. Love doesn't leave (not like this, by choice!). Love wants to keep harm from your children. And the parents cannot claim depression for their suicide. It was all about them.
There was no real insight into anything, and that made this a bit frustrating.
Cult leaders are all narcissists, every rule they implement tells something about them. No sex? Means they have a problem with sex. No family contact? Means....you get the drift. I'm so special!!! - inferiority inside. I am chosen! - I am nothing. I'm going to live forever! - I have a problem with death. Etc etc etc.
So, I now know what they were about, but not who they were. Only who they wanted to be. I know how they died, but not really much about how they lived.
Pity.
See also
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