Cult

Cult

Year: 2013

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Koji Shiraishi

FantasyHorror

A television show focuses on three female idols investigating a reported exorcism. The exorcist, Unsui, possessing psychic abilities, believes the Kaneda family is afflicted by a formidable demon that requires assistance to banish. He calls upon a colleague, and a ghost hunter joins the investigation, leading the idols to witness increasingly disturbing and frightening occurrences.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Cult (2013)

Trace every key event in Cult (2013) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Paranormal activity triggers investigation

Tomoe and Miho experience unsettled phenomena in their new home, and the events are captured on camera. The footage draws a paranormal television crew—Yu Abiru, Mayuko Iwasa, Mari Iriki, and Buddhist priest Unsui—to investigate. The team begins to observe signs of a malevolent presence surrounding the house.

the family home
2

Impure energy and initial purification attempts

Priest Unsui explains that impure energy lingers around the house and orders purification rituals. He leads a series of purifications, but the strange incidents continue and sometimes worsen. The haunting resists simple remedies, pointing to a deeper evil.

the house
3

Miho's trance and the family dog dies during an exorcism

During an exorcism intended to replenish the evil spirit, Miho inadvertently enters a trance and kills the family dog. The tragedy marks a turning point, intensifying fear and uncertainty for the investigators and the family. The incident demonstrates that the malevolent force is actively targeting the household.

the house
4

Return with Ryugen; Miho is possessed

The following week, the team returns with Ryugen, Unsui's superior. Ryugen performs a ritual and reveals that Miho is possessed by an evil spirit. The discovery confirms that Miho is the focus of the haunting and raises the stakes for the exorcism.

the following week the house
5

Mari quits the show amid distress

During the exorcism, Mari Iriki experiences extreme distress and decides to quit the show. She cannot continue filming as the situation worsens. The departure changes the dynamic of the investigation.

the house
6

Unsui attacked; hospital death

During the exorcism at the house, the spirit overwhelms Unsui and injures him. He is rushed to the hospital, where he dies from his injuries. The group is forced to contend with the loss as the haunting becomes personal.

hospital
7

Ryugen is killed by the spirit

Shortly after Unsui's death, Ryugen is attacked by the spirit and killed. The team loses another member as the malevolent force grows more dangerous. The exorcism efforts become a race against a rising supernatural threat.

the house
8

Neo joins and uncovers a curse on the house

A new freelance exorcist nicknamed Neo joins the group and discovers that the neighbors have intentionally cursed the house. The revelation shifts the investigation toward the human agents behind the haunting. Neo resolves to confront the perpetrators directly.

the house
9

Mari's telekinetic demonstration and boss confrontation

Mari is reprimanded by her boss for leaving her job, but she responds by using telekinesis to crush him with his desk, declaring that her god is coming. The moment demonstrates Mari's growing power and the threat to the status quo. The incident intensifies the group's resolve to confront the cult.

the boss's office
10

Revelation: Tomoe is part of a cult that abducted Miho

On the following night, Neo and the crew return to confront the neighbors and learn that Tomoe is not Miho's real mother, but a member of a spiritual cult that abducted Miho. The revelation reframes the haunting as a conflict with human agents behind the abduction. The team braces for a new phase of the exorcism.

the following night the house
11

Final confrontation and looming apocalypse

Neo attempts to exorcize the spirit possessing Miho, but the effort leaves him exhausted. Tomoe escapes amid the chaos, and an apparition of Mari appears to warn that the cult's god will arrive to end humanity. The scene sets a dark, impending catastrophe if the ritual fails.

the house

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:08

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Reality TV Horror Movies like Cult

Stories where filming a documentary becomes a terrifying confrontation with the paranormal.If you liked the meta-horror of 'Cult', where a TV crew investigates the supernatural only to become part of the story, you'll find more chilling experiences here. This collection features movies like 'Noroi: The Curse', 'Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum', and 'The Blair Witch Project', where the act of filming becomes a terrifying fight for survival.

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Narrative Summary

Films in this thread typically follow a crew investigating a paranormal claim or urban legend. The narrative unfolds through their lens, starting with skepticism and building evidence before a sudden, violent shift into genuine peril. The story structure is often defined by the loss of control and the collapse of the 'fourth wall' as the characters become the subject of their own horror story.

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These movies are grouped by their unique presentation style and core premise. They share a tense, found-footage aesthetic, a sense of voyeuristic dread, and a narrative that questions the nature of reality through the lens of a camera. The experience is immersive and feels unnervingly authentic.

Cult Conspiracy Horror Movies like Cult

Horror stories where a simple investigation uncovers a vast, apocalyptic cult plot.Fans of 'Cult' who enjoyed the twist from a family possession to a wider cult conspiracy will find similar dread-filled narratives here. Discover movies like 'The Empty Man', 'The Wicker Man', and 'Kill List', where uncovering a dark secret society leads to a terrifying and bleak conclusion.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist or group investigating a localized strange event. As they dig deeper, they discover the event is a deliberate act by a hidden cult with ambitions far beyond their understanding, often involving ancient gods or apocalyptic rituals. The journey is one of escalating dread and revelation, culminating in a confrontation with a power they cannot defeat.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a specific narrative arc that expands the scope of horror from the personal to the cosmic. They are united by themes of hidden organizations, psychological manipulation, ancient evils, and overwhelmingly bleak endings where the evil force proves too powerful to overcome.

Unlock the Full Story of Cult

Don't stop at just watching — explore Cult in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Cult is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Cult Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Cult, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Cult Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Cult

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Cult. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Cult

Cult Spoiler-Free Summary

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Cult Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Cult

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