Emily Deschanel and Madeleine Arthur in ‘Devil in Ohio’ on Netflix.
the netflix
In the eight-episode cult thriller, hospital psychiatrist Dr. Suzanne Mathis (Emily Deschanel) decides to help the terrified cult fugitive by bringing her home to live with her husband Peter (Sam Jaeger) and their three daughters. Her world is turned upside down shortly after she welcomes the mysterious Mae Dodd (Madeleine Arthur).
At first, Mae is supposed to stay one night while Suzanne looks for a foster family to take care of her, but things take longer than expected. They quickly realize that her family is in danger.
The limited series, which premiered on September 2, is inspired by true events and raises many questions about cults and religious extremism and the people who find themselves trapped in these destructive webs. The topic is clearly intriguing to many, with viewers watching more than 35 million hours over Labor Day weekend. The show also landed in the Top 10 in 52 countries.
For Deschanel, curiosity and personal experience drew her to this role. “I have a fascination with cults. I have a friend who joined a cult, although I would probably call it a spiritual community,” he said in a phone interview, adding that he no longer has contact with her. She “she took control of all aspects of her life.”
Deschanel, who has studied cults over the years, explains her fascination with the aspect of group psychology. “I’m curious why people are drawn to joining something like this.”
Devil in Ohio is based on Daria Polatin’s 2017 best-selling novel of the same name. She also created the television series and served as showrunner. Many viewers wonder if the cult in Polatin’s story is real. The answer to that question is yes and no.
Although true events inspired the book and series, the cult portrayed at its center is entirely fictional. Polatin’s novel was inspired by a story executive producer Rachel Miller told her that took place in Ohio, and she took seeds of that story and turned it into fiction.
Polatin and his team of writers spent months building the cult’s tradition, going so far as to write their own bible, the Book of Covenants, and even included hymns and prayers to make it as specific as possible.
One gruesome detail is a bloodied inverted pentagram carved into Mae’s back which, in the story, is part of a sacred ritual meant to worship at the altar of Lucifer Morningstar, also known as The Devil. As the series progresses, the viewer learns more about the dark history of the cult.
Polatin and his team interviewed former members of different cults. They brought together themes and rituals from various religions and ideologies to create the show’s cult in the fictional Amon County, Ohio.
The subject of cults is very exciting and Polatin understands how and why people are intrigued. “I think it goes back to an evolutionary instinct to be part of a tribe. Historically, that’s what helped people survive in the wild. You needed to be part of a group to defend yourself from the weather and predators and to find food. It is deeply ingrained in our psychology.”
And it’s not just about the physical connection of the community, adds Polatin. “It’s about an emotional connection, a sense of belonging and wanting to feel that sense of community, but it’s taken to the extreme. The human need to connect can be very easily exploited.”
In a recent interview, Jaeger also warned about the fine line between religion and extremism. “With cults, all it takes is one person with some charisma and a desire for power to take over people.”
Cults are notorious for isolating people from friends and family, leaving members with no one to turn to if they want to leave. Most of us think this could never happen to us, but Deschanel disagrees. “It can happen to anyone, and that’s what’s so fascinating, and it can happen without you even realizing it,” he warns. “And it doesn’t happen overnight. You’re not going to drink the Kool-Aid right away. These are very manipulative people who know how to exploit people’s weaknesses. It’s like a bait and switch; you think you’re getting one thing, and you get sucked in, and then you have to accept the parts you didn’t come for.”