AUM: The Cult at the End of the World

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AUM: The Cult at the End of the World

Released Mar 19

1h 46m

Documentary

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

History

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64%

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28 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

The shocking story of Aum Shinrikyo, the doomsday cult that unleashed a deadly nerve gas in Tokyo's subway system in 1995. Founded by disillusioned yoga teacher Shoko Asahara, Aum transformed into a terrorist organization while Japan's police and media turned a blind eye. Featuring rare archival footage and an interview with one of Asahara's former high-ranking disciples.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

It feels a little superficial... It didn't say a whole lot about why cults are interesting in the first place.

Mar 28, 2025

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Jessica Kiang

Variety

A far-ranging but only fitfully revealing investigation into how Aum came into being and, chillingly, whether or not it ever really went away.

Jan 26, 2023

Full Review

Nick Schager

The Daily Beast

An incisive look at the inner workings—and rise to prominence—of Aum Shinrikyo.

Jan 24, 2023

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Jana Monji

Age of the Geek

The documentary begins with a comment that is troubling and possibly misleading about Japan. Even ignoring that quote, the documentary doesn't indicate how AUM compares to other cults of that time period in Japan or the English-speaking world.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 11, 2025

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

The “yoga school to doomsday cult” pipeline is more well-traveled than you’d think.

Apr 4, 2025

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MontiLee Stormer

MovieReelist.com

Braun and Yanagimoto piece together the profile of its leader and the jagged timeline of his evolving doctrine, allowing the words of others to offer theories as to mentality and ultimate purpose.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 28, 2025

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Ben Braun

Director

Chiaki Yanagimoto

Director

Ben Braun

Screenwriter

Chiaki Yanagimoto

Screenwriter

Ben Braun

Producer

Chiaki Yanagimoto

Producer

AUM: The Cult at the End of the World: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The shocking story of Aum Shinrikyo, the doomsday cult that unleashed a deadly nerve gas in Tokyo's subway system in 1995. Founded by disillusioned yoga teacher Shoko Asahara, Aum transformed into a terrorist organization while Japan's police and media turned a blind eye. Featuring rare archival footage and an interview with one of Asahara's former high-ranking disciples.

Director: Ben Braun, Chiaki Yanagimoto
Producer: Ben Braun, Chiaki Yanagimoto, Dan Braun, Josh Braun, Rick Brookwell
Screenwriter: Ben Braun, Chiaki Yanagimoto
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Production Co: Submarine Deluxe
Genre: Documentary, Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Crime, History
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 19, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 28, 2025
Runtime: 1h 46m

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