Don't Call It a Cult

Straightforward but devastating account of Nxivm, from Keith Raniere's early days as a multilevel marketing scheme con man to his later role as the sadistic, sociopathic leader of Nxivm and the hundreds of individuals, mostly women, whom he ensnared along the way. I had read a NY Times article about a “weird sex cult” that involved women branding each other, but I had no idea that Raniere was literally trafficking young girls and controlling them through intimidation, blackmail, and the eager collusion of other Nxivm members. He was also bankrolled by two heiress sisters, so for many years he was able to avoid any legal repercussions for his actions by suing anyone who left his orbit.

The horrifying, compelling story doesn't require any embellishments. Even so, I wish Berman had delved a little deeper and explored why so many rich, successful women were taken in by this waste of human flesh. But I guess there is no simple answer to that question.

I haven't watched either of the documentaries (on HBO and Starz) that recently aired about Nxivm, but to me there's nothing more chilling than reading the words, and imagining for myself what these women endured in the name of self-improvement. What the hell is wrong with our society that evil can flourish unchecked for so long?