Netflix releases Trust Me: The False Prophet on March 18, 2026, a true-crime documentary that takes viewers inside a dangerous polygamist sect through the eyes of an undercover cult expert and filmmaker.

The documentary chronicles an ambitious infiltration operation targeting Samuel Bateman, a self-proclaimed prophet who positioned himself as the heir apparent to Warren Jeffs, the notorious former leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS). As the FLDS fragmented and fractured over recent years, Bateman rose through the ranks of splinter groups, establishing his own polygamist sect and consolidating power through manipulation and control.

According to verified accounts, Bateman presented himself with grandiose claims of divine authority and wealth. "I'm the richest man on Earth because Heavenly Father blessed me with these girls," he stated—a chilling statement that underscores allegations surrounding his relationships with female members, including minors.

Christine Marie, a cult expert, orchestrated the undercover operation with her filmmaker husband. Their strategy hinged on a calculated approach: gain Bateman's trust by appealing to his ego, then secure his permission to record conversations under the guise of documenting his "ministry." This gambit allowed them to gather evidence while operating beneath his radar.

The infiltration carried substantial personal risk. Marie feared that if Bateman discovered her true intentions, he would retaliate by taking her children and fleeing, using his control over sect members to vanish. "If Sam found out what I was doing, he will take my children, and he will flee," she worried—a fear rooted in Bateman's demonstrated capacity for coercion and his influence over vulnerable followers.

The documentary reveals the psychological mechanisms that cults employ to maintain control: isolation, economic dependency, spiritual manipulation, and threats to family bonds. Bateman's sect operated within this framework, with members bound by religious ideology, financial entanglement, and fear of losing loved ones.

The infiltration ultimately aimed to expose Bateman's lies and bring him to justice. The operation culminated in plans to deliver recordings and evidence to law enforcement, with operatives preparing to approach authorities near a police station to ensure the information reached investigators.

Trust Me: The False Prophet arrives amid renewed public interest in high-control groups and cults, particularly those with roots in fundamentalist Mormon movements. The documentary adds to the growing body of true-crime content examining how charismatic leaders exploit religious frameworks to justify abuse and accumulate power.

The film raises pressing questions about cult recruitment, child safety, and law enforcement's ability to intervene in closed communities where abusive leaders operate with relative impunity. It also highlights the courage required of those who attempt to expose these systems from within, often at great personal cost.

Netflix's platform gives this story global reach, potentially educating international audiences about the ongoing dangers posed by splinter groups that emerged from or were inspired by the FLDS network.

**Sources:** - https://www.netflix.com/title/81350383 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iPaXgUN0-U - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXFzD1Gj3Fx/