Netflix's docuseries *Trust Me: The False Prophet* premiered on April 8, 2026, launching Season 1 with a two-episode drop that exposes the dangerous operations of Samuel Bateman, a self-proclaimed prophet who led a splinter faction of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) in Utah.

The investigation was conducted by Christine Marie, a cult expert and former cult victim, alongside her videographer husband Tolga. The pair embedded themselves directly within an FLDS community in Utah, living among followers while secretly gathering evidence against Bateman and his inner circle. Their undercover work forms the backbone of the documentary series, offering unprecedented access to the group's daily operations and Bateman's control mechanisms.

In the first episode, "And That's How We Met Sam Bateman," Christine and Tolga document their initial move into the FLDS community and growing suspicions about Bateman's influence. As they embedded deeper, they began their clandestine investigation into his activities and leadership claims. The second episode, "The Prophet, the Queen and a Camera," escalates the tension as the filmmakers gather damning evidence and urge law enforcement to take action. The episode also captures a pivotal moment when one of Bateman's followers realizes the truth about his exploitation.

Bateman began attracting followers around 2019 after breaking away from the main FLDS organization. He claimed to be the rightful successor to Warren Jeffs, the imprisoned FLDS leader who has been serving a lifetime sentence. According to the documentary evidence, Bateman falsely told his followers that Jeffs had died in prison—a claim designed to consolidate his authority and establish himself as the new prophet of his splinter group, which became known as the "Samuelite" faction.

The docuseries documents Bateman's systematic abuse of power. By 2020, his followers began giving him female children to serve as child brides. At the height of his control, Bateman had accumulated more than 20 wives, many of them underage. Investigators and the documentary detail allegations of physical, mental, and sexual abuse, all perpetrated through fear-based manipulation rooted in fundamentalist Mormon religious doctrine. Bateman weaponized faith to control his victims, creating a system where questioning him meant questioning God itself.

The FLDS itself has deep historical roots in American religious extremism. The organization broke away from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early 1900s when the mainstream Mormon Church banned polygamy. For over a century, the FLDS has operated as an insular, isolated community where polygamy remains a core theological practice. Warren Jeffs' rise to prophet in 2002 marked a turning point toward increased isolation and control. Despite his imprisonment, Jeffs maintains a devoted following—some members continue to pray for his release and believe he remains the true prophet. In certain FLDS-run schools, children are even taught that Jeffs is the U.S. President.

Christine Marie's documentary represents a rare inside perspective on FLDS operations and the mechanics of cult manipulation. Her background as a former cult victim gives her unique insight into the psychological tactics and control systems that keep members trapped. The series demonstrates how false prophets exploit religious authority, family bonds, and isolation to perpetrate abuse on vulnerable populations, particularly children.

The release of *Trust Me: The False Prophet* marks a significant moment in true crime documentary filmmaking, combining investigative journalism with intimate access to expose systemic abuse within one of America's most secretive religious communities.

**Sources**

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azqOT9jGsKU

https://www.mentalfloss.com/crime/fundamentalist-church-jesus-christ-latter-day-saints-facts

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/trust_me_the_false_prophet/s01