Wild Wild Country

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 16, 2018
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 55
  3. Negative: 7 out of 55
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User Reviews

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  1. JLuis_001
    Mar 27, 2018
    7
    I was 13 when I decided to step aside from any religion or spiritual stuff and that is because I believe religion is the worst disease the human race ever had.
    I respect the decision of all people to believe in some sort of deity, if it makes them happy, go ahead but for me it has always been a burden.
    What happened in this place didn't really have something to do with religion per se    I was 13 when I decided to step aside from any religion or spiritual stuff and that is because I believe religion is the worst disease the human race ever had.
    I respect the decision of all people to believe in some sort of deity, if it makes them happy, go ahead but for me it has always been a burden.

    What happened in this place didn't really have something to do with religion per se but it does have to do with one of it's worst elements; when people abandon rationality because of their faith or their ''spiritual guidence''

    I honestly didn't know about the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his Rajneeshpuram community but I'm not surprised of how things started to get out of control, especially with people like Ma Anand Sheela, who undoubtedly got drunk with power and used her resources and the people who supported her to do what he did.

    This original Netflix documentary is divided into 6 episodes of 65 minutes or so and frankly is very is well done, the subject was quite attractive, I liked it, although I think its lenght could be somewhat smaller but in the end it's sufficiently relevant and fascinating to reflect after watching it or to have excellent conversation topic afterwards.    … Expand
  2. cattwood
    Apr 4, 2018
    10
    A remarkable and amazing story. It's interesting to see how hate was met with hate, anger with anger, violence with violence, and the whole thing came tumbling down. Antelope residents got their town back, but it wasn't the same anymore.

    Compare this story to the story of Fairfield, Iowa where many of the same kind of emotions and devotion were present, in this case toward Maharishi    A remarkable and amazing story. It's interesting to see how hate was met with hate, anger with anger, violence with violence, and the whole thing came tumbling down. Antelope residents got their town back, but it wasn't the same anymore.

    Compare this story to the story of Fairfield, Iowa where many of the same kind of emotions and devotion were present, in this case toward Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founder of Maharishi University of Management that was once Parsons College. The difference was that in Fairfield, the "Ru's" (short for "gurus") as the TM people were called, met hate with love, anger with acceptance, and chose to participate with the original Fairfield residents in creating a better community. As a result, the violence and hatred that was present in the early days in Fairfield has disappeared. The Mayor is a "Ru" who has served nine terms and been re-elected by both non-TMers as well as devoted TM practitioners.

    For whatever reasons, Osho did not culture that quality of love and acceptance among his followers and so Rajneeshpuram became a Christian country club for teenagers rather than a monument to the power of his teachings.

    Seems to me there's a lesson there for all of us. How will we choose to respond to those who criticize us or oppose us?    … Expand
  3. Scraper
    Mar 22, 2018
    10
    As documentaries go, Wild Wild Country is aces. A thoroughly detailed and gripping recount of one of the largest, most bizarre cult communities in the world, settled in a vast American landscape. The cinematography is terrific and the footage and interviews must have taken years to amass. What makes it truly great are the details of the stories that came out of the era all perfectly backedAs documentaries go, Wild Wild Country is aces. A thoroughly detailed and gripping recount of one of the largest, most bizarre cult communities in the world, settled in a vast American landscape. The cinematography is terrific and the footage and interviews must have taken years to amass. What makes it truly great are the details of the stories that came out of the era all perfectly backed up by the major players and interesting sub-players who were involved. They tell their stories intensely, with uncanny detail, without holding back a single secret. As a story it stands astounding on its own. As it relates to real life, as always, the history rhymes with other megalomaniacal figures and organizations.… Expand
  4. shoulderoforion
    Mar 21, 2018
    8
    Excellent documentary, fascinating & challenging dichotomies in American democracy & legal wrangling. Two side of the same coin, exposing boths failings. No one to root for here in the end, even if you think the choice is simple. Great watch.
  5. OlivierPiel
    Mar 19, 2018
    9
    I was very apprehensive at the start but this is a really great show, and not a mere documentary. It's long but very well organized, scripted.
    It cleverly makes us think about the current political situation in America....and turn the tables on the usual clichés of the so-called open-minded "liberals" versus the obtuse conservative America. It shows that the devil is in all of us and    I was very apprehensive at the start but this is a really great show, and not a mere documentary. It's long but very well organized, scripted.
    It cleverly makes us think about the current political situation in America....and turn the tables on the usual clichés of the so-called open-minded "liberals" versus the obtuse conservative America. It shows that the devil is in all of us and cannot be just pinned to the "other"....    … Expand
  6. Kansler
    May 21, 2018
    10
    One of the best documentaries I have ever seen. It tackles important topics of minority discrimination, religious tolerance, cult formation, indoctrination, group loyalty and the dark side of the human psyche. It is very entertaining from beginning to end, and it has some amazing archival footage combined with in-depth interviews with many of the people who were there. It attempts to beOne of the best documentaries I have ever seen. It tackles important topics of minority discrimination, religious tolerance, cult formation, indoctrination, group loyalty and the dark side of the human psyche. It is very entertaining from beginning to end, and it has some amazing archival footage combined with in-depth interviews with many of the people who were there. It attempts to be fair to both sides by just showing the facts and revealing the motivations and struggles that led to the various horrible events. Whether or not it manages to tell the full story, I found this documentary to be exceptionally educational. And from a popcorn point of view, it is gripping as hell.… Expand
  7. Apolsc
    Apr 13, 2018
    7
    What I like about this documentary series is that it doesn't take sides and show a lot of people involved, even in crimes. The clash between cultures is well shown and they let you make your own conclusions
  8. Jiibblets
    Mar 26, 2018
    9
    The degree to which federal prosecutors stretch our legal system in response to a legitimately effective and oftentimes unexpectedly compelling religious minority pulls you in both directions. I don't know how I knew nothing of this before.

    Excellent documentary series.
  9. senenino
    Apr 15, 2018
    7
    A slow pace, brooding and provoking, a conclusion no real answers....but compelling
  10. SAGAFTRA113
    May 28, 2018
    8
    I was skeptical about this documentary beforehand. After the first episode I wanted to understand how the whole situation unraveled. It is a fascinating story and I think the directors did a good job considering the scope of the events. There were some holes in the story and perhaps some events could have been looked into with more detail. As a director you have to think how to balanceI was skeptical about this documentary beforehand. After the first episode I wanted to understand how the whole situation unraveled. It is a fascinating story and I think the directors did a good job considering the scope of the events. There were some holes in the story and perhaps some events could have been looked into with more detail. As a director you have to think how to balance moving a story forward or getting bogged down in too much detail as well as how long should we make this documentary. A really entertaining story with good interviews and historical clips. Well worth the time.… Expand
  11. beegee75
    Jul 14, 2018
    7
    The series is longer than it needs to be - 4 episodes could have done it. While it is balanced, it could have used more neutral perspectives than just from the main players who were mostly self serving. It did try to show that we as a country then believed in religious freedom as long as it was not some weird foreign religion (aka cult). (We still do, perhaps more so.) It also showedThe series is longer than it needs to be - 4 episodes could have done it. While it is balanced, it could have used more neutral perspectives than just from the main players who were mostly self serving. It did try to show that we as a country then believed in religious freedom as long as it was not some weird foreign religion (aka cult). (We still do, perhaps more so.) It also showed the zeal of law enforcement to go after a frail guru who was not a murderous criminal from all the gathered evidence. Lesson for all of us is if you stray from the narrow path of the mainstream, you are kind of on your own.… Expand
  12. froger805
    Oct 12, 2018
    9
    Truly and incredible story and the showing how bigotry in America has been alive and well for the last 30 years. These people were hated by the Jealous and miserable old bast88rds of Antelope just because they didnt understand their free lifestyle. Now Trump leads his group of bigots back into power. Just a disgusting group of people in Antelope who hated the Rajneesh for noTruly and incredible story and the showing how bigotry in America has been alive and well for the last 30 years. These people were hated by the Jealous and miserable old bast88rds of Antelope just because they didnt understand their free lifestyle. Now Trump leads his group of bigots back into power. Just a disgusting group of people in Antelope who hated the Rajneesh for no reason,,,shame on them I hope karma gave them what they deserved.… Expand
  13. geewah
    Jan 12, 2021
    9
    An amazing and incredible story. Brilliant doco that combines source footage as well interviews with key players to produce what is arguably 2018's best docu-series.

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best TV Season of 2018
55
#55 Most Discussed TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ben Travers
    Mar 16, 2018
    100
    It’s a challenging piece that requires the viewer to acknowledge their own reactions and then question them. In that, Wild Wild Country may be even more vital to a divided nation. It demands you see the other side.
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  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Mar 16, 2018
    80
    A highly pleasurable new documentary series.
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  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Jen Chaney
    Mar 16, 2018
    80
    Like most good documentarians, the Ways conduct interviews with key figures in this drama without fully passing judgment on any of them and leaving it up to viewers to draw their own conclusions.
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