Popular reviews

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  Review by Sam P. ★★★

  Decent, but tame, religious cult picture where the commune seems more like a rogue summer camp than it does a zombie pyramid scheme or human-sacrificing sect of devil-worshippers. It kind of lacks that manic, mind-melting third act that you want in this sort of movie (see 1982’s SPLIT IMAGE), but there’s a minor undercurrent of unease suggested in the final seconds that leaves it on a ‘maybe things aren’t actually as peachy keen as they seem’ note. I love Kristy, but the casting of both McNichol siblings here doesn’t add much. Kristy’s the star. Jimmy’s not. It shows. Might pull down the book that this is based on from my bookshelf, though. Maybe.

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  Review by Movieland Video ★★★★

  "The cult will save your soul and steal you blind." An incredible and terrifying made-for-television drama based on a novel by Robin F. Brancato, his only adapted work, about a sister determined to save her brother who ran away from home to join a semi-religious cult. A stellar performance from Kristy McNichol, who really sells the impossible portrayal of a young girl who gets (briefly) sucked into the trappings of the establishment she set out to fight against. This was John Alonzo's final directorial effort, having directed three other TV movies and the Universal feature FM (1978), before turning to cinematography full time - it's not surprising that he was his own cinematographer here. I am a huge fan of…

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  Review by hadooga ★★★

  This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

  I need more late 70s/early 80s made-for-TV movies, please.

  
  David (Jimmy) has disappeared. Occasionally he sends Janet (Kristy) a letter, but she cannot contact him. Mom and Dad are not happy that David is in a cult, but Janet thinks maybe it’s not really a cult and he should have his freedom.  Ralph, who is apparently a family friend, is kidnapped/rescued from the cult. Mom and Dad decide they should also kidnap/rescue David. Janet still thinks this is a bad idea, so she goes to visit the cult and decides that it is pretty much a cult, but a harmless one that just wants to grow flowers and vegetables. The deprogrammer tells Janet the story of his niece who died while in the cult due to lack of medical care, so she decides to go along with the kidnap/rescue. Will she also join the cult? Will they get David out? Will someone fall down an elevator shaft? (Spoiler: Yes)