Honey, I Joined A Cult is a novelty for me. Look. I’ve written about controversial topics before here at IndieGala. Suicide for instance and it’s as sad and heart-breaking as you can imagine. But Honey I Joined A Cult is a different game for me for several different reasons. For one, it’s a fairly new game that we have here at IndieGala. It was released in September of last year and it’s also one of our most popular picks here.
But the second reason is quite personal for me. My best friend (since kindergarten) is currently in a cult and hasn’t had contact with me or any of her other friends/family members for almost 5 years. I think of her daily and wonder how is she constantly. Considering that she lives in an isolated brainwashed commune in the middle of nowhere. But I hope things will change soon. I really do. But at the same time, I hope she’s at peace, and that she’s happy at least. Thousands of miles away from home.
But let’s get this show on the road. Honey, I Joined A Cult is the main inspiration for this article.
What’s Honey, I Joined A Cult All About You Might Ask?
Developed by Sole Survivor Games and published by Team17, Honey I Joined A Cult is a management game set in the 1970s. And In Honey, I Joined a Cult you get to run one. You must build and expand your base, manage your cultists and resources. Not to mention increase your faith, funds and following. A cult is only as good as its name (and its followers!). So choose yours wisely when picking for your cult, cult leader, the Divine Being that they worship. Oh and the Holy Room in which they prove their dedication and the followers that will become the cultists of tomorrow! Hey! Don’t forget! You get to use all your charms to recruit new followers, who will bring in resources. And eventually, climb through the ranks to become full cultists. Discontented followers will simply leave, so be sure to turn that frown upside down!
So yeah. Cultists can be sent on missions in the local town. Whether it’s gathering resources, unlocking new tech, or just demand from your leader, the Covert Ops room is the perfect place to plan! Assign tasks to your cultists based on a priority system. So who said that micro-management doesn’t work?!
Oh and the most important thing about this game… It’s available for purchase here at IndieGala. Get it while it’s hot.
What Are Some of The Reviews About Honey, I Joined A Cult?
Well, let’s start with brief reviews of some of the most interesting gaming media outlets
“Honey, I Joined A Cult is the Prison Architect of the soul” – Rock Paper Shotgun
“My consideration is: enter this cult. Seriously, you won’t regret it. Honey, I Joined a Cult will rather rob you some – several – hours of your life, but no problem, because you will definitely have fun.” – The Enemy
“…one I recommend if you like management sims with a sense of humor” – Vulgar Knight
While some of the Steam user comments add:
- 10/10 wold cult again, says korewednesday.
- While (mfc)echo4mike adds: Goofy but fun game.
But Which Projects Fit Perfectly Here?
Well, as you can probably tell, projects that feature cults are going to take place in this article. I’ll focus heavily on movies, but I’ll throw in a TV show for good measure. Which projects made the cut here? Scroll down to find out.
The Wicker Man
Probably the oldest movie on this list. And yes. There’s a 2006 remake, but I figured that it’s best to start with the original 70’s movie. You know. The one with Christopher Lee. Yeah. I’ve mentioned the one and only Mr. Lee n my Dracula article, but it’s time to honor one very different movie with the legendary actor. The Wicker Man. And it’s about one policeman’s investigation of a missing girl. His investigation will lead him to an isolated Scottish island village. But what he’ll find there will shock not only him. But you watching the movie as well. It’s a great horror movie with an incredible cast. It’s a must-watch for every horror film buff.
Fun fact: Sir Christopher Lee said that he considers this to be one of his greatest ever roles.
The Master
My second favorite Paul Thomas Anderson movie. After Magnolia of course. But not only The Master is a fictionalized account of the birth of Scientology, but it’s also the only movie that has Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman in the roles. Two of the Hollywood greats yes. Sadly, Hoffman passed away just 2 years after this movie. But yeah. He’s in the role of Lancaster Dodd. The leader of the controversial movement is called “The Cause”. And Phoenix plays Freddie Quell. A traumatized and troubled man who’ll get sucked into the cult. Thanks to the very charismatic leader. And thanks to the off-beat teachings of the movement. Amy Adams is in it too, and so are Laura Dern and Rami Malek. It’s great.
Fun fact: In 2018, Paul Thomas Anderson said that The Master was the film he was the proudest of.
Midsommar
Love it or hate it, Midsommar is one provocative movie. With a fantastic performance from Florence Pugh of course. But yeah. It’s also a movie about cults. So it fits here perfectly. Pugh is Danny in Midsommar. A grieving young woman who’ll join her boyfriend and his friends on an ill-fated trip to Sweden. Why? To attend a midsummer celebration at an ancestral commune, the Hårga, in rural Hälsingland. However, that commune will turn out to be much more sinister, and wild things will begin to happen there.
Fun fact: Despite the Swedish setting, the film was mostly shot in Hungary.
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Martha Marcy May Marlene is a movie about what happens after a person escapes and leaves a cult environment. With fantastic performances from Elizabeth Olsen and John Hawkes, Martha Marcy May Marlene is a tense psychological movie that deserves your attention. Delusions, panic attacks and paranoia are just part of the post-cult survival, and the movie shows us that exactly. It’s about how people deal with their lives after they leave and how they adapt to the new normal in their lives. It’s a must-watch.
Fun fact: Deprogramming expert Rick Alan Ross called this “the gold standard” of film depictions of cults in a Vanity Fair video.
Waco
And last but not least. A TV show to end this article. But not just any TV show. Waco. The 2018 mini-series explored the tragic events of the early ’90s. More specifically, the 1993 standoff between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). And the cult called the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas. The notorious cult led by David Koresh. Taylor Kitsch portrays the cult leader, while Michael Shannon and Andrea Riseborough offer support in the rest of the roles. The 51-day day standoff ended with a total of 82 killed people and dozens more injured.
Fun fact: Taylor Kitsch lost 30lbs in order to play the role of David Koresh.
But… Are You A Fan Of Honey, I Joined A Cult?
Let us know in the comment section. We’d love to know all about it.
