Midsommar, Charlie Says, and the Reality of Cults

Episode • Oct 17, 2023 • 59m

As part of SPOOOOOOKY month, we touch on topics in the next two episodes that are often the subject of horror films – and we look at their impact on our brains. Today, we have the fabulous Guinevere Turner as our guest. She is the screenwriter of films like American Psycho and Charlie Says, and has recently published ‘When the World Didn’t End,’ a book about her experiences growing up in a cult.

In this episode, we do a deep, deep dive into the representation of cults in film and TV and look at what filmmakers get right and what they get wrong. We also discuss the characteristics of a cult, who is susceptible to them, their impact on one's mental health, and how to help family and friends who may find themselves deeply entwined in a cult community. Lastly, we talk about why it’s hard to find the right therapist if you are a cult survivor and why the world is so obsessed with cult stories.

DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT

Key moments in this episode:

00:01:12 - Representation of Cults in Film and TV

00:03:58 - Defining a Cult

00:06:17 - Warning Signs of Being in a Cult

00:08:16 - Changing Perceptions of Cults

00:15:27 - Humanizing David Koresh & His Followers in the series Waco

00:16:48 - Exploring Characters Trying to Escape Cults

00:17:14 - Understanding the Vulnerability of Cult Followers

00:18:36 - Living in a "Cult-Ready Culture"

00:29:00 - When Guinevere Realized She Grew Up in a Cult

00:35:32 - Therapy and Recovery Process