Escaping the NXIVM Cult: A Mother's Fight to Save Her Daughter (2019) - full transcript

Hi, I'm Catherine Oxenberg.

My family was fractured
by horrific circumstances,

and we were able
to come back together again.

This is my story.

From the outside, it all looked so normal,

not like anything you've read about
or seen in the movies.

There was no creepy compound
behind a fence.

That would have been a dead giveaway.

Instead, the houses were embedded
into suburban neighborhoods,

just like yours and mine.

It was great camouflage.



Anyone could have fallen prey.

Time to meet your sisters.

I see.

Well, that's all right, Steven.

You don't have to placate me.
I'm a big girl.

Thank you.

Last batch of cranberry crumblers.

Nice.

If you want to renew your website, Indie,

it's only 300 bucks.

I mean, what's the point, right?

I keep baking, but no one's buying.

Two orders a week is not cutting it.

What did your agent say?



He said no bites on the script,
but not to be discouraged.

I'm sorry, Mom.

Thank you. These smell delicious.

Get 'em while they're hot,
before I give them to a homeless shelter.

If you insist.

Next time you come to California,
we're taking you surfing.

Careful, Rem, your grandmother has never

turned down a challenge in her life.

I gladly welcome any opportunity

to go to the beach with all my girls.

- Love you all.
- Bye, Eliza-Bird.

Have a blast, you guys.

- Thanks.
- You're welcome.

- Do one for me?
- Here, Dad.

Thank you. Let's go, girls.

Please keep an eye on them
in the water at all times.

Always do, Cat.

- Bye, Mom.
- Bye, Mom.

I'm sorry, darling.

Creating a successful business
can be a difficult road.

It's just, I feel like I don't
really know what I'm doing anymore.

Maybe I should just go back to college.

Well, it's always an option.

Can I ask you something?

Anything, always.

Have you ever felt just really lost?

More than I care to admit.

How'd you snap out of it?

Oh, listen, angel.
You're still very young.

You don't have to have
your whole life figured out yet.

It's trial and error, all of it.

And what you're experiencing

is the greatest of all human challenges.

Which is?

The desire to find your purpose,
your happiness.

Can't wait till that day comes.

What's so funny?

Well, what I'm desiring right now,
in this very moment,

is a big tub of chocolate caramel swirl.

Anything but a freaking muffin.

Freezer, top shelf.

- I'll grab the spoons.
- Yes.

You seemed pretty intense
in there, for a yoga class.

Oh, what can I say, Julian?

Even if it's yoga, I'm still driven.

You do realize it's supposed to
ground and center you?

Yeah, I've had a lot on my mind lately.

- I mean, things with Casper and…
- Hmm.

And my career's in a bit of a flux.

I hear you, sweetie.

That's why you're coming with me.

Coming with you where?

David refuses to go with me

to this introductory
ESP seminar next weekend,

and I could use a wingman.

- Good morning.
- ESP? Hello. Uh, what's ESP?

The NXIVM group's
Executive Success Program.

Half my theater class has dabbled
and swears by it.

NXIVM? Never heard of it.

You?

Queen of "I'll try any self-help
program known to man"?

Oh, you know me so well, Julian.

Yes, I do. And it's a date.

Yeah,
so what are you doing later?

Going for a swim. Wanna come?

Hmm, maybe this weekend.

Question, darling.

- Are you busy next Saturday?
- What do you have in mind?

Well, Julian is taking me to this

how-to-be-better-at-business seminar
called ESP,

and I thought
you might find it interesting.

Here you go again.

I figured we both could use
a little boost right about now.

- Tell her it can't hurt.
- It can't hurt.

- Oh, my God.
- Listen to your mom, Indie.

She's never steered you wrong.

Thank you for that
vote of confidence, Lucas.

- Bye.
- Bye.

I'll take that as a yes, then.

This Executive Success Program

was created by our founder
and leader, Keith Raniere.

NXIVM's unique technology
allows you to uncover, re-examine

and integrate those mistaken perceptions.

Offering you the tools
for removing those errors in cognition

and creating consistency.

In other words,

you're gonna learn
all the tricks in the book,

so you'll stop getting in your own way
all the time.

Now I can relate to that.

This is much more
than just business.

It's about learning tools
that will create more ethical workplaces.

For a very limited time,

we're offering
our first level of workshops,

five classes in all,
for only $2,400 per person.

And we're here to answer
any and all questions that you might have.

Hi.

Uh, $2,400 for five classes?

Wow.

Sorry, gals.
No one told me about this part.

Mom, I want to do this,

for me, and I want you to do it with me.

I'm willing to give it a shot if you are.

- Such a hot day.
- It is.

Mmm-hmm, I think that's great.

And once Nancy gets done
with the introductions,

then we'll start handing out
the questionnaires.

We're offering it to half the group.

- So we separate into two groups?
- Mmm-hmm.

- Morning, Prefect.
- Good morning, Sarah.

- Good morning, Prefect.
- Good morning.

Prefect?

Oh, that's Nancy Salzman.

She's NXIVM's co-founder.

Um, we do this as a form of respect,
just to pay tribute, you know.

That's how you should
refer to her as well.

I'm Sarah Edmondson.
I'm a longtime NXIVM coach.

Oh, Catherine Oxenberg
and my daughter, India.

- Hi.
- No introduction needed, Catherine.

I am a big fan.

I'm an actress as well, so…

Thank you.

Um, what's with all
the different colored scarves?

Is that like a martial arts thing?

It's called a "stripe path."

So, a gold sash is the highest ranking
one can achieve at NXIVM.

Get through this week,
you'll earn your first white.

Welcome, everyone. Gather around.

Our founder and Vanguard,
Keith Raniere, welcomes you, too.

He is an extraordinary man.

He's one of the top three problem-solvers
in the world, with an IQ of 240,

one of the highest recorded.

Your coaches and I will be taking you
through the 12-point mission statement.

But first, make sure you fill out
your questionnaires completely

and most importantly, honestly.

"What is the worst thing
that ever happened to you?"

"What have you done
that you're most ashamed of?"

"What is your greatest fear?"

What on earth do these questions have to
do with being successful in business?

I don't know. They probably want us
to think about our life.

- India. Come with me.
- Yes, Sarah.

She's gonna have a more honest experience
with all this away from her mother.

The first point,
and most paramount to Vanguard,

his embrace of individualism
and selflessness.

"There are no ultimate victims.

Therefore, I will not choose
to be a victim."

"There are no ultimate victims.

Therefore, I will not choose
to be a victim."

"I promise to share
and enroll people in ESP"

and their mission for my own benefit,

"and to make the world
a better place to live."

"I promise to share
and enroll people in ESP"

and their mission for my own benefit,

"and to make the world
a better place to live."

- Uh, if I might, Nancy.
- Prefect.

Just during workshops.

Uh, Perfect, right.

Um, I have a real problem
with that last one.

My daughter and I didn't sign up
to recruit other people.

I mean, that's your job.

The idea that I can't share my experiences
with my family or friends,

that's just simply unrealistic, isn't it?

Well, you already agreed

when you signed the non-disclosure
agreement in your welcome package.

You all did.

Now, if you're all right,
may I continue with the workshop?

Success is a interior state of clear
and honest awareness of who you are,

your value in the world

and your responsibility
for your reactions to all things.

Slandering or libeling someone,

it's okay to make judgments.

You just want to preface your comments
with, "In my opinion."

Mirroring or copying other's body language

is an ingenious way to build rapport
and influence business associates.

Catherine.

You were falling asleep
because you have defiance issues.

I don't have defiance issues.
That's not fair.

No, what's unfair is if you do not
allow us to help you work on them.

I don't like it.

I don't like Little Miss All-Obsessed

telling me what I can or cannot do
or say or feel.

Who would have thought
you'd be the class troublemaker?

And who is this Keith Vanguard guy anyway?
The Wizard of Oz?

And why do they keep separating us?

I wanted to do this with you,
alongside you.

I don't mind being in other groups.

It's not a big deal.

I'm getting a lot out of it.

They're bringing up a lot of
challenging questions and ideas

I've never really thought about before.

We have one class left.

So maybe stop resisting

and show Nancy that you do want
to find your own purpose and happiness.

You really do hear me sometimes.

- Sometimes.
- All right.

I will try my best to let Nancy
hold my bare feet to the fire.

Thank you.

Vanguard calls
these exercises EMs,

exploration of meanings.

They are meant to unhook emotional charges

around painful life memories
and to dismantle phobias.

Who would like to be our first volunteer?

Catherine. Thank you.

Catherine…

Your questionnaire
was quite revealing, Catherine.

Thank you for your honesty.

You're welcome.

You mentioned when you were 16,
that your father

acted quite violently toward you.

He grabbed you by the throat
and shoved you into a wall.

Had you know then that

that would be the worst thing
that he ever did to you,

would that have lessened
your fear in that moment?

Yes, I suppose so.

See, men get terrified when they are
losing control of their children.

Um, they often will react violently,

but that is about his insecurity.

His grabbing you
had nothing to do with you.

It did not mean he didn't love you.

It certainly did not mean
that you were unlovable.

You, um, you have allowed

others to have power over you.

You also mentioned

an uncle touching you inappropriately
when you were…

You were young.

Yes, I was five.

This pattern…

This pattern of unfaithful men,
directors in your auditions,

making you feel paralyzed.

Why? Why?

- I don't know.
- Yeah, you do, Catherine.

Say it.

It's okay.

Because, um…

Because each room I'd walk into

could potentially be another room
where I'd be abused.

Yes.

You formed a false belief
about men in power hurting you.

But now that you see it, you're free.

You are free.

I love you.

Thank you.

What are you doing, Cat?

Two weeks away
for female empowerment classes?

It's called Jness,
and I've already paid for it.

Where are you two gonna stay?
I mean, it's Albany, for crying out loud.

Mark and Bonnie have a townhouse
and they've invited us to stay.

Does Bill know you're taking
his daughter across the country?

I don't have to consult with Bill.
Thank you very much.

Maria will help you with the girls.

And I'll be back before you know it.

- Let me help you with that.
- I've got it.

Cat, please.

This isn't about you, Casper, or us.

I am doing this for me and for India.

I want us to have something
to share together.

The NXIVM business model
has allowed for Mark and me

to travel back and forth to L.A.,

and we owe that all to Keith
and the community that he's created here.

Yes, we're looking forward
to finally meeting Keith.

Mmm-hmm. Just so you know, Danny
and Jennifer will be staying in here.

You'll meet them later.
And this is your room.

The, um, first class is this afternoon,
at 3 p.m.,

so please make yourselves at home.

Thank you.

We built the Jness program

on the foundation
of pure female empowerment.

I can assure you that it is
the most gratifying thing

that I have ever been a part of.

That's Allison Mack.

She played Chloe on Smallville.

I come from a world where I was
used to an objective being met.

I was used to strict, hard deadlines,

and a lot of fear and punishment
if I didn't get something right.

But with Jness, the teachings come from
a place of pure self-motivation,

self-direction,

and watching so many other women

evolve and transform
in a way that is so pure.

So I want to welcome you all here today

to begin this journey.

I want everyone to raise
their hands in the air.

Come on, go ahead.

Okay, higher.

See how high you can get.

Get higher.

How come none of you stood up?

Hmm?

On your feet?

Or even on your chair?

I don't know.

You could've gone so much higher,

but you didn't.

Because we all have limiting beliefs.

We all believe
that we are only supposed to do

the things that are socially acceptable.

I mean, think about all the things
that are holding you back.

You don't need permission to do anything.

Decide this is my life,

and I'm gonna go for it.

Catherine! When I heard
that you signed up, I was so elated.

Oh, thank you.

And you must be India.

- Hi.
- What a beauty you are.

That was so thought-provoking in there.

I hope all your classes
are that inspiring.

Oh, me too.

I mean, it's really so simple, isn't it?

Be available to your
infinite possibilities,

not your limitations.

Do you mind if I steal her for a while?

Oh, um, go ahead.

- I'll find Bonnie and meet you later.
- Okay.

- Come on.
- See you later, Mom.

- Do you like going on walks?
- I do.

How long have you
been doing this, Allison?

I mean, it's a long ways from Hollywood.

It certainly is.

I took my first class
about, um, eight years ago.

I guess I had, on the surface,

something that seemed
like the perfect life.

My first big acting job,
the dog, the nice car.

The boyfriends, the clothes, the house.

I mean, that sounds like
the perfect life to me.

It was everything that I
thought I needed to be okay,

and yet, it was crazy.

I just had sort of accepted
you live your life inauthentically.

But that all changed for you here?

Absolutely.

When I came to NXIVM
and started to do the work,

to really do the work in the classes,

it started to change my life
in ways that I never expected.

It's truly astounding
to be present and enlightened.

You want that too, don't you?

Yeah.

I do.

I am so privileged to have
Keith as my mentor.

He just wants the best for all of us,

especially the women here.

I can promise you

that you will find more answers
and meaning here than…

anywhere else.

All you have to do is trust me.

Trust me.

Trust Keith.

Oh, this is Jennifer. Jennifer, Catherine.

- Hi, Catherine.
- Hi.

Jennifer's staying in the room
next to you.

Oh.

- Is that the Vanguard?
- Yes.

All right, I got this.

Here we go, hut!

So is this midnight volleyball game
a form of male bonding?

Oh, you have no idea.

The men live for this.

Yeah, that was out.

Oh, come on, that was not out, Mark.
You know it.

Huh, come on now.

Let's do it, over here,
game point, right here.

- Set!
- Yeah!

Vanguard! Vanguard!
Vanguard! Vanguard!

Vanguard! Vanguard! Vanguard! Vanguard!

This is India Oxenberg.

Why do I get the feeling I'll never lose
another game now that you're here?

Oxenberg?

That must be your lovely mother.
I'm a fan.

What you'll continue to find
in the Jness modules

is Vanguard's truth about men,
women and male-female relationships.

The fact that men
don't experience intimacy.

They don't?

Why do you say that?

Well, imagine the difference between you
sticking your finger into someone's mouth

and then someone sticking
their finger into yours.

The first one is not intimate.
The second one is.

That's what sex is like for men.

I'm not sure I buy that.

Men are more loyal than women.

When a man cheats,
he goes back to his wife.

When a woman cheats,
she tends to transfer her affections

and then leave her primary relationship.

That's what you call loyalty?
I'm sorry, but I have to stop you there.

And I… I'm not trying
to be defiant, I swear.

But for a program that's supposed
to be about female empowerment,

I mean, this is anything but.

You're allowed to
question the philosophy, Catherine.

No, please stay seated.

In some ways, it's important that we do.

We didn't get a chance to officially meet.

Vanguard.

I don't pretend to know all the answers

to the great philosophical question
of what truly separates men and women.

But we do a great favor here for women,
seeking out their flaws and weaknesses,

and bringing it to their attention
so they can learn and grow.

My God, Jennifer. What are you doing
lying on the floor like that?

Mmm.

I'm doing penance.

Penance? Penance for what?

For being defiant to my husband.

He made you sleep on the floor?

Mmm-mmm, he didn't make me.

It's my choice.

It's what I'm doing
for my personal growth.

- Can I at least get you a blanket?
- I'm fine.

Sorry I startled you.
I'll see you in the morning.

Hey.

Hey.

Mom, you okay?

Yeah, we need to get out of here.

What's wrong?

This place is too weird.
I think we should leave in the morning.

Mom, stop. I don't want to go.
I want to stay.

Why?

There… are so many classes I want to take,

and I mean, like,
what's waiting for me back home?

Your sisters, your friends. Lucas.

Well, they can all wait.

I'm here now.

And I wanna figure out
who I really am and what I want.

Darling, I'm worried about
leaving you here all by yourself.

I'm not by myself.

I have all these amazing women around me.

Allison, especially.

But if you want to go,

you can go. But I'm gonna stay.

The last thing I want to do

is hold you back from something
that you believe in.

I'm good here.

I feel like I'm right where
I'm supposed to be.

You're sure?

All right.

- Love you, Mom.
- I love you.

I really like
this next question.

If happiness were a national currency,
what kind of work would make you rich?

I think that my answer to that would be
bringing together the people that I love.

That's actually kind of
what I do with Jness.

I mean, we use tools and structures

and we create these
incredible relationships with one another

and the bonds that we form are everlasting

and fill my heart with such happiness
that I guess you could say

I'm as rich as Jeff Bezos.

Oh, you know what?
Before I go, hang on a second.

Hey, India, come here. Come say hello.

You guys. This is my roomie, India.
Isn't she the cutest?

All right, until next time. Bye!

So I hope you are ready for lunch,

because I am starting a new diet.

No more than 800 calories a day.

I have been reading up
on the health benefits

of strict calorie reduction.

It increases mental clarity,

boosts energy, sex drive,
and it reduces inflammation.

But you're so skinny already.

I need to be skinnier.

The truth is… men like that.
Keith likes that.

It, uh, hurts him when I'm heavier,
it hurts his energy field.

He told you that?

Keith and I
have a very special bond.

And part of his mentoring

requires me to check in with him
every day.

I could make us a really good
honey mustard dressing.

Mmm. Too fattening, girl.

We are never going to get
to 106 like that.

I told Keith how impressed I was with all
your dedication to the coursework.

There hasn't been one workshop
I haven't absolutely loved.

I know. I see it every day.

And with a little bit more dedication,

you could even be a shadow coach
by this fall.

Me? Shadow coach?
Do you really think I'm ready?

Mmm-hmm, I do.

But I really need you to start focusing

on recruiting new members,
constantly, 24/7.

Family, friends on social media.

And if you build your own network,
maybe you could start earning a salary

or a commission.

I absolutely will. I'm in.

So what do you think?
That is Clare Bronfman.

She and her sister
are big financial supporters of Keith.

For many years.
And, she just bought the building.

Isn't this the perfect location
for a cute little cafe of our own?

- Cafe?
- Mmm-hmm.

Allison, that's always been my dream.

I'll oversee it. You'll be my right hand.

I can't believe you guys
are all doing this for me.

I told you.
Keith is all about giving back.

And as long as
he's reciprocated accordingly,

he'll do anything for you.

Let me go introduce you to Clare. Come on.

- Mother.
- Hello, darling.

Hello, let me take those. Oops.

- Sweetheart.
- Mmm.

Oh, it's so good to see you.

How was the flight?

Fifteen hours sitting next
to the most interesting man alive.

What was it about him
that you found so interesting?

I didn't say I found him so interesting.
He found himself so interesting.

- Mmm.
- Well, there you have it.

The divorce is official.

- Are you all right?
- Oh, it was over a long time ago.

I'm grateful India will be
coming home for her birthday.

Well, I will say,
whenever she or I speak or text,

she sounds terrific.

I suppose she is.

But I guess I just… I never imagined
that she'd get as caught up

in this group as she has.

I mean, this whole year,
she's barely been back for a visit.

It would just be nice
if she came back to visit

for more than a weekend here and there.

What is it?

I don't know.

The man that founded NXIVM,

and the women that help him run it,

I mean, there is something
oddly misogynistic about them.

Have you shared your concerns with India?

Every time I say something critical
about NXIVM, she gets defensive.

And I want to give her the dignity

to try and figure things out for herself.
Like you did with me.

Your firstborn is having a birthday.
Don't let it cause you anxiety.

It's time to celebrate her.

How surreal is this, huh?

We blink once and we have a baby daughter.

Blink twice and she's a woman,
with the world at her feet.

It's all the years in between
that mattered the most.

I hope those parts
aren't too hazy for you, Bill.

If you need me, I will be at the bar.

Does she seem okay to you?

Oh, I think she looks confident
and content.

No judging.

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

Speech! Speech!

Okay, Dad.

All right, if you insist.

Um, first of all, I have to thank my mom

for throwing this amazing party for me.
And to my Eliza-Bird, my grandmother,

for flying all the way to be here.

I know you're not really supposed
to say out loud what you wish for

on your birthday,
or it might not come true.

But my wish is a big one this year,
and it comes from a place of…

…pure love.

My life has changed so much this past year
in so many positive ways

and from so many incredible people,
and I've learned so much about myself

since I joined NXIVM.

And my birthday wish this year
is for everyone here

to take a NXIVM workshop,
whether it's ESP, Jness, Mobius,

or you can even join me next month
for V-Week, Vanguard Week,

where we celebrate the birthday
of our founder, Keith Raniere.

Yeah, so it's… it's only
$2,000 for the week,

and that includes food
and a place to stay.

Who wants some cake?

I would.

Champagne, please.

It's time to cut the crap. Can you please
come back down to planet Earth now?

What are you implying, Lucas?

I mean, it's like,
you totally ghosted all of us.

I mean, what's happened to you?

What kind of drugs are you on?

I'm not on any drugs.
I meant every word I said.

Let me sign you both up
and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Darling, I don't want you recruiting
for NXIVM at your own birthday party.

- It's not okay with me.
- What do you mean?

It was only for V-Week.

Angel, I understand that you want
to share your experiences,

but come on.

Why don't we take a vacation?

You, me, Remy, Francesca. Just us girls.

You can choose wherever you want to go.

Santorini, Cabo, Hawaii.

Did I hear someone say something
about going to Greece?

Um, I want you to hear this too, Dad.

I've decided to enroll
in NXIVM University full-time.

That way, I can become a full-time coach

and then an instructor,
unlimited coursework,

and I can take classes
as many times as I like.

It's only $50,000 for the year.

- Fifty thousand?
- I don't expect you to pay for it.

I have my inheritance now.
I'm gonna pay for it all myself.

I don't understand
what you find so upsetting, Mom.

Maybe it's time to let her
make her own decisions.

I try.

She's as enthusiastic
as I have ever seen her.

You left home when you were, what, 17?

Yes, yes, but that was different.

It's time for you to let her go.

There's nothing to worry about.

You better be right.

♪ Well, you wake up in the morning ♪

♪ Hear the ding dong ring ♪

♪ You go marching to the table
See the same damn thing ♪

♪ Let the midnight special
Shine a light on me ♪

♪ Let the midnight special ♪

♪ Shine her ever-loving light on me ♪

I used to come to this campground
every summer when I was a kid.

There's a magic in the air here.
Every time it rained,

the raindrops would fall on others,
but never on me.

You know, V-Week
is not just a celebration of me, India.

It's celebrating all of you, too.

It's a fantastic community for us,
there's nothing in the world like it.

Allison assures me that
you're feeling very inspired here?

I am.

Many have spoken of me
as the chosen one, India.

But what if I were to tell you
that I think that of you, too?

That you're a chosen one as well?

- Me?
- Yeah.

I don't know about that.

But Allison says
you've been an incredible mentor to her.

I could be one for you, too, you know.
Would you like that?

Yes.

I knew the moment I met you
what a singular woman you were.

Ready to be sculpted, molded, shaped
and unearthed into greatness.

I want you to understand
your own physics, India.

You see, women aren't
as aware of their surroundings.

Women are much more oblivious
to certain things than men. It's true.

Be obedient. Never complain.

Never limit yourself to anything
that has to do with your female nature.

What do you mean?

I mean, never use excuses
like having your period

to not show up for things.

And always, always remember

what Allison told you about
lifting your hand up high, higher, high!

I taught her that.

Your commitment to NXIVM
fills my heart with such ebullience.

Your higher purpose
will reveal itself soon, I can feel it.

And when it does,

I want to remember this moment
between us, right here.

That won't ever happen again, India.
I promise.

Unless… unless you want it to.

Look into it with Allison.

- What was that all about?
- Nothing, really.

Keith was just mentioning
that he's starting a new project

- and he might want me to be a part of it.
- What's it about?

It's a secret.

Children need to become adults.

That is, in our bodies,
we mature, we can breathe,

we can go out, we can…

Do you think India's ever moving back?

I miss when she was just normal.

Yeah. Me, too.

I'm helping friends
with the documentary

Venus Rising, A History of Feminism,

and I think India would love
to work on this with me.

If she would actually call me
once in a while,

I could tell her all about it.

I texted with her about a week ago,
reminded her not to be such a stranger.

She said between working at that new cafe
and her coursework,

there are hardly enough hours in her day.

How do you like that?

I don't like it, Mother, not one bit.

Look at this.

Business is so good.

You did this.

Can I get you your usual?

Humanitarian adults,

ecological adults, adults that…

I think she's in some kind of cult.

For real?

I do wish you had more support.

Well, I got her into this.

I'm going to get her out of it.

- Hey.
- Hey.

Sit down.

I want to talk to you.

What is it?

I want to talk to you
about our new sorority.

It's kind of like a secret society

for just a select few of us women,

a special few.

We are calling it DOS:

Dominus Obsequious Sororium.

What does that mean?

It means Lord Master
of Our Obedient Female Companions.

But what it really means

is a lifetime of sisterhood,

a vow of dedication unlike anything
we've ever known before.

It's taking Jness to a whole new level,

where we can tell each other our…

our darkest secrets

and our biggest truths.

But before I tell you anything else,

you have to solemnly swear an oath
you will never tell another soul.

I swear.

There's going to be rules
and rituals that no one can know about.

And if you ever betray me, or us…

there will be consequences.

Real consequences.

I could never betray you, Allison, ever.

- Not after everything you've done for me.
- Good.

I believe you.

And that is why I'm bestowing you

with our highest honor.

Whatever you need,

I'll do it.

Anything?

Anything.

Mark, can we talk?

It's important.

I'm studying right now, Bon.

Can it wait?

Sure.

Are you ready
for your transformation?

Yes, Master.

Yes, I am.

It's time, then.

Time to meet your sisters.

- Hello.
- Catherine, it's Bonnie.

Oh, Bonnie! What a surprise.

Look, I can't talk long.

I shouldn't even be doing this,
but I couldn't live with myself otherwise.

Bonnie, what is it?

What's wrong?

It's India.

You have to save her.

You have no idea
what these people are capable of.

What are you talking about?

Save her from what?

Dominus Obsequious Sororium.

Dominant over submissive.

Master, please brand me.

It would be an honor,

an honor I want to wear
for the rest of my life.

Ready?

One,

two,

three.

Ready?

One…

…two,

three.

Thank you.

I'm sure they'll…

do everything in their power
to destroy me. That's, uh…

That's what they do when they feel
that you've betrayed them.

Bonnie, what kind
of danger is my daughter in?

India is a member
of a secret slave-master group called DOS.

India is Allison's slave.

Allison is her master.

Each master has to recruit more slaves
and then eventually, over time,

the slaves become the masters themselves.

Slaves. Masters.

What the hell are you talking about?

India signed a vow of obedience

and gave damaging collateral
about herself.

Keith has them on starvation diets, ,

makes them take nude photos.

They have to sign away their…

possessions, their property,
their bank accounts.

India would never be involved
in something as twisted as this.

Catherine.

Allison has brainwashed her,
manipulated her,

all for Keith's benefit.

India is a very smart girl,

but she's also vulnerable.

Too impressionable.

To help her, you have
to learn everything you can.

You have no idea

how much Keith loves having control
over women.

He loves feeding off that power.

DOS is nothing more than
Allison providing their Vanguard

with his own personal harem.

A harem?

Of sex slaves?

There's something else you need to know.

Part of the initiation ceremony

for each member is…

they're supposed to be branded.

Branded?

Seared into their skin,
down by their genitals.

What are you telling me?

That my daughter has been branded
like a farm animal?

I wasn't there, but…

that's what Allison wants
for each new member.

That's why I defected.

They've just gone too far this time.

I don't even know where to start.

How do I get India out?

I feel like I've lost her already.

- What's this?
- She was referred to me.

I spoke to her myself yesterday.

I've told you everything I know.

Anyone can be
susceptible to cults, Catherine.

And I mean anyone,

depending where they are in their lives,
what voids they feel.

I need to stage an intervention.

I need to get to India immediately.

It can take a long time
to put together a proper intervention.

I don't have a long time.

Get her to laugh,

share fond memories.

Get her to miss home.

Surround her with loved ones,
but do not ambush her.

This is not like addiction.

No accusing her of anything.

All positive light.

Saying anything negative about NXIVM
will only push her further away.

Now she's taken out all her money,

all wired to that goddamn NXIVM group.

Who does this kind of shit?

Not someone with a clear head.

Fifty thousand dollars
for tuition is one thing.

But draining every last penny she had
to her name is quite another.

I mean, who knows
what she's capable of next.

I think you should sit down.

The money can be replaced,

but our daughter can't.

Even as a youngster,
he was a bright fellow.

By the time he was 13,
he taught himself high school math.

When he graduated from Rensselaer,

he had three degrees:
math, biology and physics.

He scored one
of the three highest IQs ever recorded.

His name is Keith Raniere.

- His idea is called "Consumers' Buyline".
- His first business was a pyramid scheme,

just like NXIVM.

He ripped off millions of customers.

Raniere's devout followers say
he is a humble genius

and one of the most ethical people alive.

He's a fraud, a snake oil salesman.

Agent Latham, FBI.

Yes, Agent Latham,
this is Catherine Oxenberg.

I've left you a few messages
about my daughter and NXIVM.

Yes, I received your messages, ma'am.

We can't open an investigation
based on mere speculation.

No, I'm not speculating here.

Do you know for a fact
that this guy branded your daughter?

Do you have any evidence?

Any witnesses who were actually
in the room that night?

Are they holding her captive
against her will?

- No.
- Then I'm sorry.

I'd like to help, but you've got
to give me something more to work with.

Thank you.

Breathe.

I'm sorry I didn't listen
to your instincts earlier.

Oh, it's okay, Mother.

You're here now.

Who are you calling now?

This blogger, Frank Parlato.

I need to talk to him.

So tell me something I'm dying
to know, Ms. Oxenberg.

What was Joan Collins like in real life?

I'm sorry, Frank.
I didn't travel all this way

to reminisce about my Dynasty days.

Okay. Okay, touché.

What do you want to know
that I haven't already written about?

So you were a publicist for NXIVM.
Is that right?

Moons ago, took my marching orders

from the almighty Vanguard
and Prefect themselves,

until I woke up one morning

and I finally realized
what a scam it all was.

I mean,

come on, Keith and his 240 IQ.

Albert freakin' Einstein's was almost 160.

Right. So you told them you'd quit
and they threatened a lawsuit.

Not one, missy.

Hundreds. You see, that's what they do
to any and all defectors and detractors.

They try and destroy your reputation,
litigate you to death to keep you quiet.

And with all that Bronfman money
behind them?

It's David versus Goliath.

All this deranged sex stuff
you're hearing about with Keith?

It's not breaking news.

- What do you mean?
- Well, for years,

he's had 15 to 20 sexual partners
at any given time.

Made each of them feel like
they were his one and only.

His bookkeeper, Nancy's daughter, Lauren,

and the Mexican girl he started
to have sex with when she turned 18.

Her and her sister, I heard.

If he wanted you,
he'd figure out a way to have you,

all to himself.

Rumor had it that
Lauren Salzman kept that Mexican girl

in her room for two whole years,
so Keith could have her at his whim.

And you tried exposing all this?
You went to the FBI?

I spoke to the same agent and he said

there's not a thing we can do
without more concrete evidence

I'm not sure what more they need.

I wrote what I believed to be true.

Most of it's fallen on deaf ears.

This is all unbelievable to me.

You should speak to Rick Alan Ross.
Maybe he can help you.

I hope you have better luck than I have.

Oh, yeah. They tried to silence me
and sue me into oblivion, too.

Fourteen years, federal court.

Claimed I defamed NXIVM
by posting online the psychology reports

of previous defectors.

But how can they sue you for that?

Oh. By claiming all that stuff
was proprietary.

And shouldn't be allowed
to be printed without their consent.

Cult leaders like Keith Raniere, they…

they use deception.

Then, through confession,
they extract secrets about you.

I feel so guilty, Rick.

I did this to her.

I introduced her to it.

Yeah, look, don't blame yourself.

Destructive cults are well-oiled machines.

Your daughter never stood a chance.

Now, that doesn't mean that she's weak.

Just brainwashed.

Well, to us, perhaps, but to her?

I guarantee she doesn't
believe that for a second.

I've been thinking about going
to the press.

Mmm-hmm.

I have contacts at People magazine
and at The New York Times,

but I'm afraid to expose India like that.

Listen, I've been studying Keith Raniere
for years, Catherine,

and, uh, he's as methodical as they come.

And if you're gonna take him down,
you have to be just as methodical as him.

But you make one careless mistake,
one slip,

and he'll take you down.

I know you need to protect your daughter,

but you also need
to match Keith Raniere at every turn.

He's a dangerous man.

This is India. Leave a message.

Good afternoon, New York Times.

How may I direct your call?

♪ Kingdom comes with a ball and chain ♪

♪ Ah ♪

♪ Take my life, just not today ♪

♪ Ah ♪

♪ Spill your blood, there's hell to pay ♪

♪ Ah ♪

♪ Diggin' a six foot hole ♪

Um…

I'm gonna go to the bathroom.

But I'll be right back.

I was thinking,

in order for India
to complete her assignment,

I think she should
take off all her clothes,

pose for me in the most revealing way,
at my camera.

♪ You got
You got the devil inside ya ♪

♪ You set the church on fire ♪

♪ You got
You got the devil inside ya ♪

♪ The devil inside you ♪

♪ You got
You got the devil inside ya ♪

♪ You set the church on fire ♪

Hey.

Where did Keith go?

He has a request.

A special request.

Just for you.

No, girls, no great updates.

But my flight for New York
leaves in a few hours,

so I'll see you both soon.

I love you, my angels.

We love you, too, Mom.

Bye.

As I've always said,

the brighter the lights,
the more the bugs.

So, all this shows me

is that we do indeed have bright lights.

Sarah Edmondson is weak and confused.

Does she really think that we aren't going
to use her collateral against her?

After all we did for her,

just stabs us in the back.

We need to reach out to our lawyers.

Done.

What about India?

Her mother's causing trouble, too.

Don't worry about India.

She would never betray me.

I'm so glad you called.

You can come and stay with me, Sarah.

- It's safe there.
- No.,

No, I can't.

I, uh…

I'm… I'm gonna stay here
a couple nights, and then…

I don't know what. I…

Now that they know

you and I both went to The Times, um,

they're gonna come after both of us.

They made me feel so special
for so long, Catherine.

I was really struggling
at that time in my life

and I felt like they…

truly recognized something in me.

Lauren,

my master…

She was like a sister to me. So I thought.

She made it sound like this awesome,
badass bitch boot camp.

I bought into all of it.

I'm so sorry, Sarah.

I can't even imagine.

No.

You don't ever want to imagine.

I can show you, if you want,

what they did to me.

What they did to India.

As soon as I realized

it wasn't a symbol at all
but really Keith's initials,

I went ballistic.

I have his initials burnt in me
for the rest of my life.

KR! Look!

God, they're evil.

Pure evil.

They'll know.

How was school, darlings?

Got an A-minus on my world history test.

Oh, that's wonderful news, Francesca!

Sutton Holly asked me
to the winter formal.

Oh, that's wonderful, too, Rem.

And what did you say?

Told him I'd think about it.

Let him sweat it out a bit.

- Hello - Catherine.

Agent Latham, FBI.

I've got good news for you.

We're opening a full investigation
into all things NXIVM,

with the full cooperation
of the federal US Attorney's Office.

You don't need to carry the burden
of this on your shoulders alone anymore.

Thank you, thank you.
This is really great news.

- I'll be in touch.
- Thank you again.

What was that all about?

We are getting India back.

Mom has a plan.

Hi, Grandma. How are you?

- Oh, I'm fine. I'm fine, dear. And you?
- I'm well.

I'm so glad you answered.

I'm actually pretty swamped
at the cafe right now.

Do you mind if I call you back?

No need. I just wanted to let you know
I've sent you a plane ticket.

I hope you haven't forgotten
it's my birthday next week.

Let's not dare say that number out loud.

I'm here at your house, visiting, and…

I just so hope you can spare 48 hours
to come and see me.

I miss you, dear.

I miss you terribly.

Um…

I don't think I can.

It's just a couple of days.

And I've already told your mother
I will not stand for any arguments.

She's given me her word.

Please, dear, do this for me.

Okay. Two days,
but I can only do two days.

Lovely. Bye-bye.

You really do look wonderful, darling.

Everyone's excited to see you.

You go ahead. I'll just be in a sec.

India, please put the phone away
and let's go inside.

- Let me just finish this one text.
- No, finish it later.

It'll just take a sec.

India…

have you been branded?

Yes, Mom, I've been branded.

But why is that such a big deal?
It was a good experience for me.

The fact that you think that mutilating
your body permanently

is character-building is proof...

Is proof that what, Mom?

That you're brainwashed.

I'm not. Don't say that.

Yes, you are.

I don't believe in brainwashing.

Oh, angel.

Don't you see that you're being
manipulated by a psychopath?

No, I'm not.

I know exactly what's going on.
I know about DOS.

God, is this why you all brought me here?

Darling, listen to me.
We can talk about this.

There's a specialist.

I think you'll like her.

Please take this.

I know about the collateral
that they made you give.

And if you gave them anything about me
and that's keeping you there,

I need you to know
that I don't care about that at all.

I would never.

You have no idea
what you're talking about.

You're in a cult, a sex cult.

We are not a cult!

We are a family, a sorority.

You don't understand and you never will.

- Those people don't care about you!
- Yes, they do!

Listen, listen to me, India.
Please, please.

The FBI are closing in on NXIVM.

Please leave now, before there's nothing
that I can do to help you.

- I'm so on the next plane out of here.
- India, please!

Wait!

India!

India?

What? What happened?
What did you say to her?

Oh, my God, Mother, what have I done?
I screwed it all up.

Your crusade now, Catherine,
is one of a desperate mother

trying to bring her child home.

It's something all mothers,
all parents can absolutely relate to.

It is, Steffi, and thank you
for having me on.

It must be unbearable.

Because India has been hijacked… yes.

I fear that her life is in danger, or else
I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing.

There are defenders of NXIVM

who say these women are all adults,
and anything they do is consensual.

Well, let me start by saying
that extortion is not consent.

Coercion is not consent.
What is rather remarkable about this case

is that these are women doing
these awful things to other women.

I cannot let my daughter live like this.

But I don't know what else to do
to get her out.

If I can't save my daughter from NXIVM,

I'll still do everything I know how

to help save the other women,
the other victims.

I know that I'm in the fight of my life.

But never underestimate
the power of a mother's love.

I cannot let my daughter
live like this, but I don't...

Your goddamned mother is causing us
a lot of trouble.

You need to post something on Facebook.

- Post what?
- I don't know.

- Think of something.
- Okay.

Sit down.

More collateral? Why?

You need to tell me her deepest,
darkest secret.

I can't think of anything.

The most humiliating thing.

I can't!

An affair? A drug addiction?

- An eating disorder?
- God, Allison, stop!

I don't want to do this.

I don't think you appreciate
the severity of this situation.

So we'll sue.

For millions.

Let's drag her name through the mud,
like we've done to the others.

India is one of us now.

Her mother's not going to
jeopardize her life.

This… this princess is not going
to destroy

everything I've built
over the last 20 years.

We built, Vanguard. We!

Yes, yes, Prefect. We.

We, all of us, have dealt
with these irritations in the past,

so what makes this so different?

The media is all over us.

Catherine Oxenberg has become
a major pain in the ass.

She has gone to law enforcement.

She has gone
to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

We have members defecting by the dozens.

We have never been under
so much scrutiny before.

Shh. Yes, we have, we have.

It's always made us stronger.

This, too… will make us stronger.

Catherine.

You want a bulletproof case, here it is.

Falsified financial statements,
years of NXIVM tax returns,

and testimonials from dozens and dozens
of defectors and victims' families.

It's clear evidence of racketeering
and sex trafficking.

Well, thank you for your persistence.

We're gonna have to talk to your daughter.

Whenever it happens,
please make sure to keep India safe.

You have my word.

Take care of him, Lauren.

He doesn't understand how bad
the publicity has gotten.

Mom, I won't let anything happen to him,
I promise.

What's happening? Where are you going?

Mexico.

Lauren chartered a plane.
We're taking Keith away, somewhere safe.

You're leaving me?

Once we're settled,
you can come and join us.

But in the meantime, if anybody comes
around asking any questions…

police, reporters, do not talk to anyone.

- Do you understand me?
- No, I don't understand.

I don't understand any of this anymore.

Everything is going to be fine.

Nancy Salzman.

How can I help you?

Who is it?

Open the door.

Go inside!

Open the door!

You can't just barge in here!

Where's your warrant?

Don't shoot! Don't shoot!

Get your hands up, amigo,
as high as they can go, higher, higher!

Keith! Where are you taking him?

- You can't do this.
- Keith!

Where are you taking him?

Here we go.

India Oxenberg?

Dennis Latham, FBI.
We need you to come with us.

Am I in trouble?

Sex cult leader, Keith Raniere,

and his first lieutenant,
actress Allison Mack,

are being arraigned here today,
at federal court, in Brooklyn.

Both are facing charges
of sex trafficking, forced labor,

extortion and racketeering.

If Raniere is convicted on all charges,
he could face a lifetime behind bars.

Mr. Raniere has not broken any laws.

It is still the United States of America,

and adults can engage in
sexual relationships that they consent to.

Allison Mack is alleged
to have played a key role

in recruiting women to be
Raniere's sex slaves

as part of a secret sorority called DOS.

Allison, is there anything you want to say
to the people you hurt?

Keith Raniere and Allison Mack
lack any hint of a moral compass.

They will justify any abuse,
and they need to be held accountable

for each and every single woman
that they have harmed and exploited,

physically and mentally,
including my daughter.

It's an $11 billion industry
that is completely unregulated.

Will India be charged with any crimes?

It doesn't look like it, thank God.

They realize she was a victim
of all of this.

How is your daughter doing and have you
had the chance to speak to her?

India is still on the inside.

She's not back yet.

Through it all, I believed Keith Raniere's
intentions were to help people.

I was wrong.

I must take full responsibility…

for my conduct, and that is why
I am pleading guilty today.

I am pleading guilty,
because I am, in fact, guilty.

I accept that some of the things
I did was not only wrong, but criminal.

I justified them by saying what we were
doing was for the greater good.

I was afforded a great gift
by my grandfather and father.

With this gift comes immense privilege

and, more importantly,
tremendous responsibility.

I still believe that some
of what we did was good.

I am, and will be, a better person
as a result of this.

It does not come with an ability
to break the law.

For this, I am truly sorry.

I'm very sorry for my poor decision-making
that resulted in the harm to others.

It never even crossed my mind
that I… I would choose Keith,

but then, in the end,
Keith would choose Keith.

There are no victims.

That's why I'll choose not to be a victim.

I choose not to be a victim.

I choose not to be a victim.

There are no ultimate victims.

Therefore, I choose, I choose, I choose,

I choose not to be a victim. I choose…

I choose not to be a victim!

Darling.

- This is Melanie Dipchand.
- Hi, Melanie.

It's, um, India. India Oxenberg.

My mom gave me your number,
and, um, I think I'm ready to talk now.

You look so cold.
Come here. There you go.

A hell has been lifted off me,
nothing less.

India told me that she's proud of me,
and thankful for the care and diligence

of the government in championing truth
through to the end.

She is delighted with the verdict
and she is grateful for the hard work

of all those involved.

She and all of her friends
have come through this stronger

than when they entered.

India did it. She figured it out.

She's free.

As a last resort to save my daughter,
I went public with my story.

I consider myself lucky
to have India back safely,

but my crusade led me well beyond
my personal story.

I have learned how many people
are vulnerable to predatory abuse,

which is widespread and pervasive.

I want to convey how important
it is for people to be educated

about this far-reaching, systemic issue.

My message is never give up on your child.