Netflix's new documentary series 'Trust Me: The False Prophet' follows two undercover filmmakers who helped the FBI dismantle a polygamous Mormon cult. Director Rachel Dretzin, known for her work on 'Keep Sweet: Prey and Obey', uses footage shot by the informants to expose the crimes of Samuel Bateman, now serving 50 years for sex crimes involving minors.
The series chronicles how cult expert Christine Marie and her husband Tolga Katas infiltrated the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS) community in Utah. They gained the trust of Bateman, who claimed to be a prophet and had 20 'wives', many underage. Their hidden camera footage was crucial to the FBI's case.
Dretzin describes the material as having 'the elements of a thriller', with Bateman depicted as a bumbling narcissist who even asked the filmmakers to direct a music video to lure the Queen of England into his cult. Despite the absurdity, Dretzin notes the serious harm Bateman caused, calling him 'a terrible perpetrator of terrible crimes'.
The series also highlights the emotional toll on Marie and Katas, who had to deceive the very people they aimed to protect. Dretzin, who previously covered the FLDS in 'Keep Sweet', was chosen for her sensitivity towards victims who defend their abusers. The result is a true crime series that transcends sensationalism, offering a thoughtful look at how undercover work can effect change.
