Born in Synanon

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.

Born in Synanon
Directed by	Geeta Gandbhir
Music by	Laura Heinzinger
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of episodes	4
Production
Executive producers	Geeta Gandbhir Cassidy Arkin Jonathan K. Bendis Jessica Cozzetta Sandra Rogers-Hare Terrence Wrong Susan Zirinsky
Producers	Jamie Schutz Steven Cantor
Cinematography	Terrance Redd Claiborne Jerry Henry
Editors	Anna Auster Alex Keipper
Running time	55-58 minutes
Production companies	Stick Figure Productions See It Now Studios
Original release
Network	Paramount+
Release	December 12, 2023 (2023-12-12)

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

Premise

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

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Original release date
1	"Individual Reality"	Geeta Gandbhir	December 12, 2023 (2023-12-12)
2	"The People-Raising Business"	Geeta Gandbhir	December 12, 2023 (2023-12-12)
3	"Great Flip of the Box"	Geeta Gandbhir	December 12, 2023 (2023-12-12)
4	"End of Utopia"	Geeta Gandbhir	December 12, 2023 (2023-12-12)

Production

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

Critical reception

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]