15 Best Movies About Cults

Paul Thomas Anderson's phenomenal veiled portrait of Scientology features two of the greatest performances in recent memory. Joaquin Phoenix stars as Freddie, an impressionable man full of rage who falls under the spell of the charismatic and influential Lancaster Dodd, played by a tremendously mercurial Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Dodd is the leader of The Cause, and although the group is fictional, clear parallels can be drawn between the group and the controversial Church of Scientology. The dynamic between Hoffman and Phoenix is extraordinary and their relationship is incredibly well developed as Phoenix follows Hoffman's every word.

Some of the best moments in the whole film are when Hoffman's character is questioned on his own words and inconsistencies in his teachings. As Hoffman boils with an anger and bitterness at being questioned, The Master presents a genius portrait of a con artist who has control over a large number of poor lost souls.

Anderson's work here is fantastic and it is the best straight drama ever made about a cult.