Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults

Name: Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults
Genre: Movie/Mini-Series, Documentary
Released: December 3, 2020
Rating: 67

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Generally favorable reviews based on 4 Critic Reviews

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Series Details & Credits

HBO Max | Release Date: December 3, 2020

Summary: The four-part documentary series from Clay Tweel features interviews and footage of the cult led by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles that resulted in the largest mass suicide in the United States.

Genre(s): Movie/Mini-Series, Documentary

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Critic Reviews

Kayla Cobb

Dec 3, 2020

Season 1 Review: Whether you’re a true crime junkie or a casual viewer there’s plenty in Heaven’s Gate to interest you. Robert Balch and David Taylor’s accounts of going undercover into the organization are especially compelling. Read full review

Ashlie D. Stevens

Dec 3, 2020

Season 1 Review: It's a thoughtfully paced series, rich in original source material and striking watercolor animations in place of reenactments. ... Where "Heaven's Gate: Cult of Cults" falls a little short is in its explanation or exploration of Applegate and Nettles' appeal. As leaders, they lack any kind of discernable charisma. Read full review

IndieWire Ryan Lattanzio

Dec 3, 2020

Season 1 Review: This latest documentary series to tap into the frenzy around sex and death cults, like the NXVIM-centered “The Vow” from earlier this year, is hardly as salacious as some of its predecessors. Viewers may bob in and out during the first few episodes, though it’s worth sticking out for the grand finale, as sickening as it is oddly poignant. Read full review

Daniel Fienberg

Dec 2, 2020

Season 1 Review: By the end of the four hours, I felt some emotional connection to the cult members and their families and that was Tweel's primary intention, I'm guessing. Getting me to feel that this exploration was ultimately especially perceptive, though, is where Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults falls short. Read full review

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johndoe2014

Apr 7, 2021

Much of this series is well done. The first hand footage and the interviews with the actual members are useful to create accuracy. But the overarching problem is that the narrative is that these people were crazy and manipulated by malevolent forces. The reality was that they wereMuch of this series is well done. The first hand footage and the interviews with the actual members are useful to create accuracy. But the overarching problem is that the narrative is that these people were crazy and manipulated by malevolent forces. The reality was that they were essentially Christian Ascetics. Take away the UFO's and the fact that they chose suicide at some point, the rest is actually really admirable by many people's standards. They were actually really happy and positive, and would have stayed that way without the suicide. The people the producers chose to do the analysis seemed to be really grumpy and negative and miss the point of what an ascetic lifestyle is all about. They make the messages of Buddha, Jesus and any other mystic society into some nefarious and crazy. It was like watching someone who did not understand a sport try to do commentary for the championship of that sport. They wanted to sound smart, but they just came off as people who had no idea what they were talking about because they did not understand the intention or the experience of those they were bashing. So while it is all tragic on one level, and it did take a more cultish and controlling turn a few years in, to try to paint it all with a broad brush and make it all seem like crazy town, is to basically reject the millions of people who have found deep fulfillment and enlightenment in an ascetic lifestyle including the likes of Jesus, Buddha and others we call spiritual masters. Thousands of people die every year following a path of addiction and self-indulgence and destroy all the lives around them, and we call that normal, but a couple hundred people decide to become ascetics and try to free themselves from worldly insanity and we call them crazy. My guess is that if you took out the UFO's and the leader and asked people if they would join this kind of movement today, lots of people who watch this would, and for really sound and wise reasons.… Expand

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Seasons & Episodes

67

Series Overview
Season 1

67
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: December 3, 2020
- No episode information is currently available for this season