Watch Escaping the NXIVM Cult: A Mother's Fight to Save Her Daughter
- TV-14
- 2019
- 1 hr 27 min
-
5.2 (596)
Escaping the NXIVM Cult: A Mother's Fight to Save Her Daughter is a 2019 dramatic film that sheds light on the story of a mother's relentless battle to rescue her daughter from a sinister sex cult. The movie captures the true story of Catherine Oxenberg and her daughter, India, who got engrossed in the infamous NXIVM cult group. The film begins by introducing Catherine (Andrea Roth), a renowned American actress and her daughter, India (Jasper Polish), who is striving to become a leading actress. While studying for an acting career in Los Angeles, India had a chance encounter with a woman named Allison Mack (Sara Fletcher), who claims to have found a community that is about empowering people to achieve their best selves. Allison invites India to join a group where she believes she will get mentorship to help her break into Hollywood.
India becomes immensely fascinated with the charismatic leader of the group, Keith Raniere, and begins to delve into the group's teachings, which promise to provide self-improvement and empowerment to its members. However, as the group's teachings become more sinister, India slowly loses herself in their world. Her mother becomes increasingly concerned when India cuts communication with the family and withdraws from her plans after being introduced to the Nxivm group.
Catherine delves deeper into the group's teachings and realizes that its core tenets are grounded in brainwashing and psychologically harmful practices. She gains insight from people who have left the cult but finds she is up against an insurmountable wall. The leader Keith Raniere and his allies have strong influence, intimidating members out of the cult, and even the authorities in some cases.
As Catherine attempts to pull her daughter out of the cult, she learns more concerning signs of the group's abuse, including branding and sexual slavery. Catherine devises a plan with a journalist and convinces India to leave the cult subtly by drafting a letter she can discreetly give to India, who has limited access to communication with the outside world.
With the help of Allies, Catherine pushes the authorities to investigate Keith Raniere's Nxivm group, eventually resulting in several leaders' arrest and indictment on sex trafficking, racketeering, and other crimes. Catherine Oxenberg's brave fight to free her daughter from the clutches of the cult ultimately paid off.
The cinematography of Escaping the NXIVM Cult: A Mother's Fight to Save Her Daughter is well done, with scenery and lighting that immerse you in the story. The pacing is steady, with intense moments and respite scenes to balance it out. The actors, especially Andrea Roth and Jasper Polish, give a powerful portrayal of the characters they are playing.
Overall, the movie is an intriguing and dramatic representation of the true story and deserves recognition. Escaping the NXIVM Cult: A Mother's Fight to Save Her Daughter is a movie that highlights the importance of family support, resilience, and courage in the face of great adversity.