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The Leader

Play trailer The Leader 2026 1h 44m Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 14 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
The Leader tells the unsettling true story of the religious movement known as “Heaven's Gate”: the UFO cult that convinced dozens to abandon their lives and await evacuation from planet Earth. Heaven’s Gate shocked the world in 1997, when thirty-nine followers committed the largest mass suicide to ever take place on US soil. The film chronicles the leaders "Ti & Do" during their fateful meeting in Houston, Texas in the early 1970s through their tragic and disturbing end in Rancho Santa Fe, California in ‘97. The incident became a major global media event -- marked by the group’s matching uniforms, purple shrouds, and Nike sneakers.

Critics Reviews

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Owen Gleiberman Variety Jun 11
The Leader really is a horror movie -- a fright film of the soul, or of what’s left of it once you give yourself over to an “ideal” of life that’s really a form of death. Go to Full Review Stephen Saito Moveable Fest 2d
Although "The Leader" warns of the dangers of giving yourself over completely to anything, it adds to the film’s chilling quality how comfortable one can get feeling as if you’re in capable hands. Go to Full Review Carla Hay Culture Mix Jun 26
In telling a dramatic version of the Heaven's Gate cult story, The Leader takes an unconventional approach. It's a non-chronological collection of character study scenes. The performances are more compelling than the screenplay. Go to Full Review Marshall Shaffer The Playlist Jun 17
C-
this is a disjointed collection of ideas, sourced from various inspirations, that cannot hang together because no understanding of humanity gives them any internal logic. Go to Full Review David Gonzalez The Cinematic Reel Jun 16
4/5
In a landscape filled with true-crime dramatizations and sensationalized retellings, The Leader stands apart by refusing to reduce its subjects to a headline. Go to Full Review Dave Giannini Geek Vibes Nation Jun 16
7/10
The Leader certainly does not provide the answers that we all continue to crave about cult leaders. However, it does take a look at the dangers of how much we need connection, faith, and belief. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Michael J. Gallagher

Director

Tim Blake Nelson

Marshall Herff Applewhite

Vera Farmiga

Bonnie Lu Nettles

Jim Parsons

Warren

Grace Caroline Currey

Michelle

Simon Rex

David
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The Leader

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Movie Info

Synopsis The Leader tells the unsettling true story of the religious movement known as “Heaven's Gate”: the UFO cult that convinced dozens to abandon their lives and await evacuation from planet Earth. Heaven’s Gate shocked the world in 1997, when thirty-nine followers committed the largest mass suicide to ever take place on US soil. The film chronicles the leaders "Ti & Do" during their fateful meeting in Houston, Texas in the early 1970s through their tragic and disturbing end in Rancho Santa Fe, California in ‘97. The incident became a major global media event -- marked by the group’s matching uniforms, purple shrouds, and Nike sneakers.
Director
Michael J. Gallagher
Producer
Michael J. Gallagher, Jana Winternitz, Michael Wormser, Joel David Moore, Matthew Murphie
Screenwriter
Michael J. Gallagher
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 44m