TikTok Takes on Cults

Photo: @yorkinthenorth

BY Allie GregoryPublished Jan 7, 2021

If viral hit-making social platform TikTok is good for one thing — besides keeping millions of people comfortable in quarantine — it's the app's ability to encourage the growth of hyper-niche communities away from the prying eyes of those who don't care to get it. You need not look further than Frog TikTok and Cottagecore TikTok as primes example of the flourishing subcultures on the app, but the cyber mysticism doesn't end there.

Today, we're taking a look at TikTok's darker subculture: the one populated by true-crime and cult fanatics. From the NXIVM sex trafficking MLM scandal to Heaven's Gate (both popularized by expository HBO docuseries, no less) and the My Favorite Murder podcast "Fan Cult," TikTokers have taken it upon themselves to explore, expose and educate others on the dangers — and dark comedic value — of cults. 

Here are TikTok's Takes on Cults:
 
@sarasvafa

@sutherlandphys is our last line of defense #fyp #foryoupage #crystal #cult #heavensgate

♬ Sex and the City (Main Theme) - TV Sounds Unlimited
@rosecuervo

##stitch with @gabbgoudy I could do so many more including ##mfm ##youreinacult ##callyourdad ##StrikeAPosay

♬ original sound - Jenn Jackson
@michelle_fett

Murderinos understand. ##ssdgm ##murderinos ##murderino ##truecrime ##youreinacultcallyourdad ##myfavoritemurder

♬ original sound - joe equality baker
@carverator

Literally 20 minutes after my date cancelled, this is me #icanttalk #hotgirlsh #cults #cultdocumentary #heavensgate #cheezit #lgbtq

♬ busy doin hot girl ish - Chelsea
@meg.hug

I think I would have definitely bought into NXIVM.. #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #TheVow #NXIVM #cult #culttiktok #keithraniere

♬ original sound - Hug
@dabygunn

Who else has bad romantic instincts? #gay #allisonmack #nxivmcult #nxivm #thevow #smallville #lesbian #crush #cults

♬ Bulletproof - La Roux
@ll_ii_v

😬 really, Jered Leto though? @thelizardinpnw#c#ults #y#oureinacultcallyourdad

♬ original sound - Elizabeth Garner
@monstercock420

🔅cults🔅 part 1 (my favorite murder podcast has a very in depth episode on synanon) #cults #synanon #cultfacts #cultseries

♬ original sound - ella
@m0rrigu

#duet with @yesits.natural #iseeyousurvivor #troubledteenindustrysurvivor #toughlove #cultsurvivor #synanon #UpTheBeat #introduceyourselfchallenge

♬ original sound - kyra, pronounced key-ruh
@strange.as.angels

Cult pt1 #cult #cults #selfhelp #brainwashing #pyramidscheme #recruitment #toxicpositivity #manipulation #JingleJangleWithMe #BakingSzn #RoomTour

♬ ICE (feat. MORGENSHTERN) - Morgenshtern
@libertyinlight

Your in a cult of...#cults #destructivecults #trumpcultfollowers #trumpcult #yourinacult #foryour#fyp #retrumplicans #unify#because2020 #pleasewakeup

♬ original sound - Liberty
@viccoram

Or is it just me? #cult #cults #lgbt #lesbian

♬ original sound - Vic
@cornfedthem

Google the International House of Prayer 😬 #cults #cultstories #myfavoritemurder #mfm #murderinos #truecrime #

@charliquinstlng

BAHAHA VANGUARD YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW #nxivm #cult #cultleader #justice #youreinacultcallyourdad #thevow

♬ Where Is The Love? - The Black Eyed Peas
internationalhouseofprayer #ihop #fyp

 

♬ Bulletproof - La Roux
@pancakebaby_

#stitch with @gabbgoudy I'm a seasoned summer camper so DON'T COME FOR ME #cults #millenialsoftiktok #pyramidscheme #over30

♬ original sound - Stefanie Cobb
@nastyratbussie

Lol a little warning to the #cottagecore folk, #cults aren't that far off, so be careful!

♬ original sound - Breezy
@erinfartington

This is a joke! Lol I'm actually really fun at parties and don't talk like this wth

♬ original sound - Erin Farrington
@mommabearkaydesigns

##myfavoritemurder is a favorite podcast while I'm working! ##repost ##ItBeLikeThat ##youreinacultcallyourdad ##shopsmall ##smallbusinesscheck

♬ Youre in a cult call your dad MFM - Kiki B
@justforkit

Her brother did it. ##truecrime ##ssdgm ##coldcases ##armchairdetective ##youreinacultcallyourdad ##myfavoritemurder ##unsolvedcoldcase

♬ busy doin hot girl ish - Chelsea
@chloe_ann_k

Church was great for me growing up ##foryou ##fyp ##4u ##foryoupage ##cult ##therapy ##johnmulaney ##cultleader ##culttiktok ##disaster ##PerfectAsIAm ##Teleport

♬ original sound - brb91896 ⁷
@yorkinthenorth

~£\¥_+[|^,€,]¥_:;-...! ##xyzcba ##xyzbca ##WhatsYourStuf ##imanexpert ##PINK2020 ##busteddream ##fyp ##animation ##flipnote ##abstract ##foryou ##cultleader ##join

♬ original sound - Tik Toker

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