Marshall Applewhite
Self - Co-Leader of Heaven’s Gate (archive footage)
Series
Watch Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults (2020) Online
Synopsis
“What do you believe?”
What started in 1975 with the disappearance of 20 people from a small town in Oregon, ended in 1997 with the largest suicide on US soil and changed the face of modern New Age religion forever. This four-part docuseries uses never-before-seen footage and first-person accounts to explore the infamous UFO cult that shocked the nation with their out-of-this-world beliefs.
Episodes
Miniseries
PreviousNext
1. The AwakeningNow viewing2020-12-0351m7.0March 1997. Thirty-nine members of the Heaven’s Gate cult are found dead in a Southern California mansion - the largest mass suicide in U.S. history. The inception of this mysterious group dates back to 1970s Oregon, where founding members Bonnie Nettles and Marshall Applewhite begin to recruit individuals interested in end-of-the-world Christianity, new age religion, and UFOs - but the disappearance of new members soon drives media attention and family concerns.
2. The Chrysalis2020-12-0351m6.5As the Heaven’s Gate "Classroom" begins, Bonnie and Marshall - who call themselves "Ti" and "Do" or "The Two" - enforce strict rules of no family communication. After Ti dies from cancer in 1985, a distraught Do briefly allows members to visit their families, and a few consider leaving the group for good. When the members return, Do becomes much more controlling - and opens the door to group suicide.
3. The Second Harvest2020-12-0351m6.5Using a popular sci-fi TV series to help bolster his teachings, Do encourages asexuality and individual submission for the benefit of the collective - and even initiates voluntary castrations. Having dwindled in number, the group starts recruiting again, but they’re met largely with derision and skepticism. Seeing this as a sign, Do begins planning their exit to the next level.
4. The Exit2020-12-0351m7.2The 1997 arrival of the Hale-Bopp comet spurs the group to prepare for their departure, though their plan to commit mass suicide goes undetected. After an anonymous 911 caller alerts the authorities, Heaven’s Gate, deemed the first "internet cult," becomes a media and pop culture phenomenon - but the suicides have a very different effect on those closest to them. Today, former members, loved ones, and experts reflect on the legacy of Heaven’s Gate, offering a chilling reminder that indoctrination can happen to anyone.
Cast
Top Billed Cast
Bonnie Nettles
Self - Co-Leader of Heaven’s Gate (archive footage)
No photo Sawyer
Self - Former Member
No photo Frank Lyford
Self - Former Member
No photo Benjamin Zeller
Self - Religious Studies Professor
No photo Janja Lalich
Self - Sociologist
No photo Robert Balch
Self - Sociologist
Availability
Where To Watch Legally
HBO Max Amazon Channel
HBO MaxStreaming availability data provided by JustWatch.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults available to watch online?
Yes - see the "Where to watch legally" section on this page for streaming, rental and purchase options.
How many seasons does Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults have?
Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults has 1 season and 4 episodes.
When did Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults first air?
Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults first aired in 2020.
Is Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults still running?
Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults's status on TMDB is: Ended.
What genre is Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults?
Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults is classified as Documentary, Crime.