when I got the invite to watch screeners for The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. I didn’t even read the synopsis because I knew we would be interested from the title alone.
Title: The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping
Episodes: 3 x 50-60 minute episodes
Genre: Crime/Documentary
Platform: Netflix
Release Date: March 5, 2024Synopsis: Years after being sent to a disciplinary school, director Katherine Kubler is still haunted by her experiences and decides to expose the corruption and abuse of the troubled teen industry. She returns to the The Academy at Ivy Ridge campus alongside her classmates and deals with their shared past of abuse and brainwashing.
Director: Katherine Kubler
Executive Producers: Diane Becker, Brian Knappenberger, Rachel Libert, Melanie Miller, Ann Rogers, Brooke Workneh
Before we get to my top 5 reasons to watch, let’s check out the trailer.
top 5 reasons to watch
- the story — I remember seeing several talk-show and news segments about these tough love type places and it was intriguing to see how they really operate
- the strength — the survivors not only process some of their trauma on camera, they actively try to help other people who have gone through the same program
- the sympathy — it was heartbreaking to watch the families come to terms with the truth of what their kids went through, knowing they were responsible for sending them away
“I got here at 3 in the morning, and they said I was not allowed to talk anymore,” one woman says. “And you can never leave.”
okay, so i don’t have 5 reasons…well, i do, but i’m trying to keep it vague on purpose. This story was captivating and kept me on the edge of my seat. With each reveal, I thought it couldn’t get any worse…until it did. (tw: talk of sexual assault)
huge thanks to netflix for the invite to watch this series. The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping is out today!
Will you be watching this documentary?
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