''Born in Synanon'' is an American

documentary A documentary film (often described simply as a documentary) is a nonfiction Film, motion picture intended to "document reality, primarily for instruction, education or maintaining a Recorded history, historical record". The American author and ...

series directed and produced by

Geeta Gandbhir Geeta Gandbhir is an American Filmmaking, filmmaker known for her work as a director, producer, and editor. She has won multiple awards including Emmy Awards and Peabody Awards. Early life and education Gandbhir grew in the Boston area. Her f ...

. It follows Cassidy Arkin as she searches to learn the truth about

Synanon Synanon, originally known as Tender Loving Care, was a new religious movement founded in 1958 by Charles E. "Chuck" Dederich Sr. in Santa Monica, California, United States. Originally established as a drug rehabilitation program, Synanon develop ...

, a group which developed into a cult. It premiered on December 12, 2023, on

Paramount+ Paramount+ (formerly known as CBS All Access in the United States and 10 All Access in Australia) is an American Video on demand#Subscription models, subscription video on-demand Over-the-top media service, over-the-top Streaming media, stream ...

Premise

Cassidy Arkin searches to learn the truth about

, a group which she was raised in, as it developed into a cult.

Episodes

Production

For over twenty years, Cassidy Arkin had been collecting materials and interviews regarding

. Arkin later met

and discussed her vision for a documentary series revolving around her growing up in Synanon. Gandbhir incorporated archival footage of the group, with long sequences of ''The Game''.

Reception

Critical reception

Chris Vognar of ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...

'' praised the series writing: "A thoughtful series that grows richer with each of its four episodes, Born in Synanon is as much a personal journey as a historical study, although it ultimately manages to be both." Joel Keller of ''Decider'' wrote: "Born In Synanon is unique among cult-related docuseries because it shows that not all cults start because of one person’s narcissism and messiah complex." Conversely, in a negative review, Nick Schager of ''

The Daily Beast ''The Daily Beast'' is an American news website focused on politics, media, and pop culture. Founded in 2008, the website is owned by IAC Inc. It has been characterized as a "high-end tabloid" by Noah Shachtman, the site's editor-in-chief ...

'' wrote: "Born in Synanon's framework resonates from the get-go as counterfeit, and the same goes for its lovey-dovey snapshot of Synanon’s origins."

References

External links

* {{Paramount+ 2020s American documentary television series 2023 American television series debuts American English-language television shows Paramount+ original programming Television series about cults Television series by CBS Studios