If you’ve heard of the notorious sex cult NXIVM, it’s probably due to the allegations of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and forced labor made against Smallville star Allison Mack. The beloved actress pretty much left Hollywood and, little did most of us know, she became part of the cult’s inner circle, helping to facilitate the group’s criminal activities. While Mack’s personal life has been laid bare, the NXIVM is still largely a mystery, and the new HBO doc The Vow hopes to shed some light.
The Vow‘s title comes from the secret cabal within the facade of a women’s self-help group created by founder Keith Raniere. Mack became Raniere’s right-hand in the recruiting and coercion of potential victims, mostly women who were branded and forced into sexual slavery. These women would then be blackmailed and forced to become the sexual partners of Raniere and Mack, who were both later indicted and found guilty of multiple charges.
It’s a fascinating, yet highly disturbing story that can’t be dismissed by simple claims of brainwashing. For Mack and others considered Raniere’s “first-line slaves”, the participation was voluntary and that’s scary when one is a celeb who, presumably, had the world at her feet.
Directed by Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer, The Vow hits HBO on August 23rd.
SYNOPSIS: From Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning directors Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer (The Great Hack, The Square, Control Room) comes The Vow, a documentary series following a number of people deeply involved in the self-improvement group NXIVM over the course of several years.
The series takes a deep, nuanced look at the organization faced with various charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, against its highest members – most notably founder Keith Raniere, who was convicted in June 2019 and is currently awaiting sentencing.
Amidst claims by NXIVM participants of both profound transformation and devastating abuse, the series, like Noujaim and Amer’s previous films, seeks to reveal the issues behind the headlines and explore the emotional toll of unfolding events on these individuals.