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Born in Synanon

Born in Synanon
Directed byGeeta Gandbhir
Music byLaura Heinzinger
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producers
  • Geeta Gandbhir
  • Cassidy Arkin
  • Jonathan K. Bendis
  • Jessica Cozzetta
  • Sandra Rogers-Hare
  • Terrence Wrong
  • Susan Zirinsky
Producers
Cinematography
  • Terrance Redd Claiborne
  • Jerry Henry
Editors
  • Anna Auster
  • Alex Keipper
Running time55-58 minutes
Production companies
  • Stick Figure Productions
  • See It Now Studios
Original release
NetworkParamount+
ReleaseDecember 12, 2023 (2023-12-12)

Born in Synanon is an American documentary series directed and produced by Geeta Gandbhir. It follows Cassidy Arkin as she searches to learn the truth about Synanon, a group which developed into a cult.

It premiered on December 12, 2023, on Paramount+.[1]

Premise

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Cassidy Arkin searches to learn the truth about Synanon, a group which she was raised in, as it developed into a cult.[2]

Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byOriginal release date
1"Individual Reality"Geeta GandbhirDecember 12, 2023 (2023-12-12)
2"The People-Raising Business"Geeta GandbhirDecember 12, 2023 (2023-12-12)
3"Great Flip of the Box"Geeta GandbhirDecember 12, 2023 (2023-12-12)
4"End of Utopia"Geeta GandbhirDecember 12, 2023 (2023-12-12)

Production

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For over twenty years, Cassidy Arkin had been collecting materials and interviews regarding Synanon. Arkin later met Geeta Gandbhir and discussed her vision for a documentary series revolving around her growing up in Synanon.[3] Gandbhir incorporated archival footage of the group, with long sequences of The Game.[4]

Reception

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Critical reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 80% of 5 critics' reviews are positive.[5]

Chris Vognar of Rolling Stone praised the series writing: "A thoughtful series that grows richer with each of its four episodes, Born in Synanon is as much a personal journey as a historical study, although it ultimately manages to be both."[6] Joel Keller of Decider wrote: "Born In Synanon is unique among cult-related docuseries because it shows that not all cults start because of one person’s narcissism and messiah complex."[7]

Conversely, in a negative review, Nick Schager of The Daily Beast wrote: "Born in Synanon's framework resonates from the get-go as counterfeit, and the same goes for its lovey-dovey snapshot of Synanon’s origins."[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Born in Synanon to Premiere on Tuesday, December 12". Paramount Press Express. November 16, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  2. ^ Ulatowski, Rachel (January 29, 2024). "Ex-Synanon Members Break Down Cult's Mixed Legacy and What America Can Learn From It". The Mary Sue. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (February 3, 2024). "'The Dream of What It Was': 'Born in Synanon' Probes a Cult's Legacy Through a Child's Eye". Variety. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  4. ^ Vognar, Chris (December 11, 2023). "Synanon and Love Has Won, Two Cults With New Docs". The New York Times. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  5. ^ "Born in Synanon: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Vognar, Chris (December 11, 2023). "'Born in Synanon': How a Rehab Turned Hellish Cult Preyed on Kids". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  7. ^ Keller, Joel (December 12, 2023). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Born In Synanon' On Paramount+, A Docuseries About A Woman Finding Out About The Experimental Community That Became A Cult". Decider. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  8. ^ Schager, Nick (December 11, 2023). "This Drug Rehab Center Turned Into a Violent Cult". The Daily Beast. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
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