AUM: The Cult at the End of the World

-Written by Bryan Miller. 

AUM: The Cult at the End of the World, directed by Ben Braun and Chiaki Yanagimoto, tells the chilling story of Aum Shinrikyo—a doomsday cult behind the deadly 1995 Tokyo subway gas attack. The documentary explores how the group rose to power and eventually collapsed after the attack.

Before watching this, I had never heard of Aum Shinrikyo, even though I was 10 when the attack happened and 34 when its leader, Shoko Asahara, was executed. Going in with no prior knowledge made the experience even more intense. I found AUM: The Cult at the End of the World both gripping and disturbing, especially as it revealed how the cult began as a yoga and meditation group before becoming something far more dangerous.

Okay, so, what did I like?

The documentary is exceptionally well-made and smoothly edited, which made it easy to follow despite the disturbing subject matter. The documentary opens with real footage of the Tokyo subway gas attack, then walks us through how the group got to that point, which I thought was an incredibly effective way to tell the story. As the viewer, you know where this whole story is leading, and you are just following the current that leads you there. It’s incredibly sad and absolutely terrifying.

One of the most creative and effective choices was the use of anime-style animation to recreate scenes where actual footage didn’t exist. Rather than relying solely on narration or still images, the animation brought those unfilmed moments to life in a visually engaging way. This helped break up the more traditional segments of interviews and archival clips, keeping the storytelling dynamic and appealing.

Another major strength of AUM: The Cult at the End of the World was the wide range of perspectives included. Interviews featured not only former members of Aum Shinrikyo but also family members of those involved, journalists who had reported on the cult, and lawyers who tried to hold the group accountable. This variety of voices gave the film depth and helped illustrate the far-reaching impact of the cult’s actions. Hearing from those who were directly affected, whether emotionally, professionally, or personally, made the story feel much more human and complex. It wasn’t just about a cult leader and his crimes, but about the countless lives that had been affected by the organization throughout the years, and how they are still affected to this day.

Now, what did I not like?

Not a ton. I wish the documentary were longer. At 106 minutes, it covers a lot in less than two hours, such as how the cult formed, the Tokyo attack, political ambitions, and even an expansion into post-Soviet Russia. I just would’ve liked more detail on certain events. There are moments that are talked about, but not thoroughly examined that I would love to hear more about. This does not distract from the purpose of the documentary, but it does leave me wanting more.

AUM: The Cult at the End of the World also highlights how local law enforcement handled Aum Shinrikyo with surprising leniency, often taking a hands-off approach despite mounting warning signs. Authorities seemed reluctant to confront the cult directly, even as reports of violence, disappearances, and other suspicious activities began to surface. Some could say that the attack in Tokyo would never have happened if they had taken the warning signs more seriously.  I would have liked to have heard from members of the police force who were active during those years. Hearing from officers or investigators who were active during that time, whether to explain their choices, defend their inaction, or express regret, could have added another important layer to the story. Perhaps the filmmakers attempted, but no one had been able or willing to. Regardless, it’s a perspective that I think could have provided the viewers with an alternative viewpoint.

All in all, I really enjoyed AUM: The Cult at the End of the World. It’s compelling, well-researched, and deeply unsettling. It shows just how dangerous one charismatic person can be when their influence goes unchecked.

Directed by Ben Braun and Chiaki Yanagimoto.

9/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH IT NOW