How to watch 'Born in Synanon,' the docuseries about a cult led by Charles 'Chuck' Dederich

If you're a fan of learning about cults, this has been your year for streaming.

From "Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God" to "Escaping Twin Flames," there has been no shortage of storylines exploring religious extremism in 2023.

The internet has been abuzz with the latest release, a Paramount Plus docuseries titled "Born in Synanon." Those who followed the headlines between the 1970s and '90s may recognize the name, as the addiction-recovery-community-turned-cult led by Charles E. "Chuck" Dederich was once one of the largest in the U.S. It only fell after a series of legal battles that resulted in convictions for serious crimes such as attempted murder.

The docuseries, told from the point of view of a former member, has shocked viewers with archival footage that has never before been seen by the public.

Want to take a look for yourself? Here's how you can stream the popular doc.

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What is the 'Born in Synanon' docuseries about?

"Born in Synanon" is a docuseries that covers the story of Synanon, one of the largest cults in American history. What started as a drug and alcohol treatment community known as Tender Loving Care with lofty ideals in the 1950s eventually morphed into the more sinister Church of Synanon in the 1970s.

Sometimes called one of the "most dangerous and violent cults America had ever seen," Synanon disbanded in 1991 after several members faced major legal trouble. An offshoot still exists today in Germany.

The formal synopsis from Paramount describes the series, in part, as follows:

"Born in Synanon chronicles one woman’s journey to discover the truth about what was once America’s largest cult - Synanon. It began as a drug and alcohol treatment center. It would become a utopian racially inclusive community. But its mission is corrupted by its megalomaniac founder as he descends into madness. Cassidy Arkin’s earliest memories are of a happy communal extended family, a portrait that stands in stark contrast to the abusive hierarchical society her peers recall. Cassidy, along with her mother Sandy, set out to unravel the secrets of Synanon. They reconnect with former members and share personal stories, revealing a vast trove of often disturbing archival footage – some of it never seen before."

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Where to watch 'Born in Synanon'; release date

The four-part docuseries "Born in Synanon" is available for streaming on Paramount+. All parts were released on Dec. 12 and require a subscription to watch.

Paramount+:How to get a subscription

Some services such as Amazon Prime and Apple TV have it available to stream through their platform, but they require a Paramount login to access the series.

Customers can get a free seven-day trial to Paramount Plus and then secure a subscription via Paramount's website or as an add-on to Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Plans range in price from $6 a month to $12 a month.

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