Prepare to binge
American Horror Story‘s newest season is nearly here and we’re trying not to freak out about what’s in store. But before we watch Evan Peters support Trump, Sarah Paulson get stalked, and Twisty the Clown return, we should probably prepare for cults on TV. Check out this short list of freaky shows and TV episodes with cult themes you can binge the day of AHS‘s Season 7 premiere. There are even a couple of curveballs in there to keep you on your toes. Ready to dive in?
1.The Following
When it comes to (literal) cult shows, none compare to The Following. The canceled-too-soon crime drama forces former FBI agent Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) to return to the force to hunt down serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy), who leads a large group of people to commit murder in his name.
2. Aquarius
David Duchovny’s post-X-Files show was, unfortunately, short-lived. It tells the origin story of master cult leader, Charles Manson (Gethin Anthony), as he slowly begins acquiring followers in crime-ridden L.A. in the 1960s.
3. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Netflix’s comedy show proves not all cult-themed series are created equally. The Ellie Kemper comedy follows Kimmy Schmidt’s new life in New York City after being rescued from a doomsday cult.
4. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit – “Charisma”
This early SVU episode involves a 12-year-old girl who is impregnated by her cult’s leader, Abraham (Jeff Kober). The whole thing is skeevy and will make you want to smack the mothers in Abraham’s following.
5. The X-Files – “The Field Where I Died”
FBI agents Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) investigate Temple of the Seven Stars, a religious cult. After arresting several of the cult’s members, they learn one of their prisoners suffers from multiple personality disorder, and believes she and Mulder were part of the American Civil War in a past life.
6. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – “Shooting Stars”
The team encounters a cult when they’re called in after a man reports a bunch of teenagers dumping a body on his property. Upon further investigation, they learn most members of the cult appeared to have committed mass suicide, but a few stragglers may have escaped.
7. Criminal Minds – “Minimal Loss”
Agents Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Prentiss (Paget Brewster) go undercover to expose a cult for child abuse, but find themselves trapped in the compound when a police raid goes south. Luke Perry plays the vicious cult leader who is not messing around.
8. Boy Meets World – “Cult Fiction”
Yep, the beloved ’90s teen sitcom included one random episode about cults. Rebel Shawn Hunter (Rider Strong) joins a cult and his friends desperately try to get him to leave.
Featured Image: Fox