#Survivors

A dramatic new Netflix series, “Sirens,” has reignited public debate around cult psychology by illustrating, beneath its quirky and extravagant surface, the disturbingly subtle methods that cults use to recruit and control followers. The show, set on a remote island where an affluent community is ruled with an iron will by leader “Kiki,” draws viewers in with eccentric rituals and oddball characters—only to reveal the deeply manipulative psychological machinery that traps people in such groups (RNZ).

A new Netflix series shines a harsh light on how high-control groups recruit and maintain followers, peeling back the quirks and gloss to reveal the psychological machinery behind manipulation. Set on a secluded island, the show follows an elite community ruled with an iron will by a leader named Kiki. The drama uses eccentric rituals and colorful characters to lead viewers toward a troubling truth: how easily people can be drawn in and how hard it becomes to escape. The portrayal resonates with real-world concerns about coercive groups in Thailand and around the world.