Tony and Susan Alamo found a Christian cult that holds out hope for a better society, then Susan dies of cancer, and Tony reveals his dark side, turning his anger on his followers and taking multiple child brides.
At first, Reverend Jim Jones focuses on helping those in need; then, in 1975, Jones establishes a utopia known as Jonestown in Guyana which turns into a hell on earth as Jones spirals deeper into his own paranoia.
The Word of Life Church starts as a small bible study group led by Pastor Jerry Irwin; after the pastor's death, his daughter, Tiffanie, gains control and makes life hell for the church followers, leading to the brutal beating death of a teenage boy.
Yahweh Ben Yahweh is a respected religious leader, but behind the facade, he rules his followers with terror and violence; one survivor shares the story of this cult leader whose ruthless tactics ruin hundreds of lives and leaves 14 dead.
Deborah and Jim Green believe they are generals in a holy army; for more than 30 years, the Greens destroyed families and ruined lives; cult survivors reveal how the Greens transformed from charismatic hippies into militant cult leaders.
Cult leader Dwight York's followers come from all walks of life; Ruby joins the Nuwaubian Nation looking for answers to life's big questions, while Niki is brought in as a child; both become disillusioned as they learn the truth about York.
Prophet David Berg attracts thousands of followers as the Children of God cult spreads through communes around the world. But his free love message turns sinister, espousing prostitution, sexual abuse of children and rampant violence in prison camps.
In the late 60s, Charles Manson entices dozens of young women to live with him in a California desert commune. The facade breaks when Manson orders his followers to commit a string of gruesome murders that 50 years later, still haunt the nation's psyche.
In 1997, Heaven's Gate leader Marshall Applewhite convinces 39 people to follow him to their graves; the world sees the event as the largest mass suicide on U.S. soil, but for Applewhite's followers, it is a way to catch a UFO to heaven.
In 2014, a severed human leg draws attention to The Work, an apocalyptic cult; known as the Sinful Messiah, Julius Shacknow commands total devotion and terrible sacrifice, called "the special work," as the only way to achieve eternal salvation.
Charismatic preacher Sam Fife inspires a worldwide network of nondenominational Christian groups; to prepare for the apocalypse, followers renounce everything to move to the wilderness where they're subjected to beatings, exorcisms and brainwashing.
Lost souls flock to North Carolina where they're promised deliverance from demons by Pastor Jane Whaley at the Word of Faith Fellowship; however, deliverance comes at a price, including beatings, medical horrors and psychological abuse.