The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 5, 2024
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4

Critic Reviews

  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Richard Roeper
    Mar 5, 2024
    88
    You will not soon forget “The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping,” and you will feel shock and outrage about what happened to these students — and great admiration for the strong and still healing survivors they are today.
  2. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Nick Schager
    Mar 5, 2024
    80
    Presents a terrifying insider’s view of the institution and the lasting damage on those who attended.
  3. CNN
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Mar 5, 2024
    75
    A deeply personal advocacy piece, The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping becomes messy at times over its three chapters, although in a way, that’s part of its power.
  5. Decider
    Reviewed by: Joel Keller
    Mar 5, 2024
    70
    The Program: Cons, Cults And Kidnapping does a good job of showing the harrowing conditions at the Academy at Ivy Ridge and other disciplinary schools, while also showing the resiliency of the people who were sent there and endured those conditions.