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- HBO
- Aug 23, 2020
- HBO
- Aug 23, 2020
Summary The documentary series directed by Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer looks into the NXIVM self-help program where Smallville actress Allison Mack recruited women to eventually join a secret society that allegedly included sexual slavery to co-founder Keith Raniere.
- HBO
- Aug 23, 2020
- HBO
- Aug 23, 2020
Summary The documentary series directed by Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer looks into the NXIVM self-help program where Smallville actress Allison Mack recruited women to eventually join a secret society that allegedly included sexual slavery to co-founder Keith Raniere.
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
76
80% Positive
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
20% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
76
80% Positive
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
20% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
What’s so chilling about The Vow — HBO’s immersive new docuseries about NXIVM, the New York-based “self-help group” brought down by charges of sexual slavery — is how vividly it illustrates the seductive and insidious ways these groups lure intelligent, well-meaning people into servitude.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 11 User Ratings
6.3
45% Positive
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
36% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
18% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 11 User Ratings
6.3
45% Positive
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
36% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
18% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
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The measured pacing and focus on NXIVM exposition makes The Vow drag occasionally in its initial episodes. But as this multilayered saga unfolds, that approach becomes an asset.
The generous peppering of insider NXIVM videos throughout The Vow renders the dorky, soft-spoken Raniere, who appears not to have participated in the documentary, a thoroughly unimpressive figure, while providing visual relief from the many talking-head interviews. Overall, the production is handsome and well-structured, with new episodes unearthing new layers of viciousness and manipulation.
The filmmakers have an immense treasure trove of footage to draw from, but only a few defectors willing to be interviewed on camera. At times, the whiplash between the banality of the source material and the extreme nature of the allegations is striking. ... One thing The Vow does well is break down the techniques of emotional abuse Raniere and his inner circle used to manipulate lower-ranking members, so we understand why they stuck around—if not why they were devoted to this man in particular.
Once things ramp up “The Vow” becomes as fascinating as expected, but it’s unclear if an audience will stick around to see that assumption bear fruit.
Nine hours of this story crosses from exhaustive to exhausting in “The Vow.” The amazing access to personal stories as they unfolded likely led directors Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer to err on the side of inclusion, but the repetitive, unedited nature of the series actually diminishes its intended impact. ... Still, there’s power in each episode of “The Vow,” even if it’s assembled in a manner than never completely worked for me.