The recent explosion of the true-crime/conspiracy/mystery genre is evidence that the general public’s fear of the unknown has morphed into a bona fide fascination. More specifically, films and documentaries that delve into the covert world of cults and fringe religious sects scratch that itch particularly well. This list of fictional and real-life accounts of cult activity are a great way to get a glimpse inside—from a safe distance.

Martha Marcy May Marlene What may be most unsettling about this indie film is how its visual beauty—a bright, idyllic, rural New York setting—is in stark contrast to Martha Marcy May Marlene’s (a combination of the character’s real and cult name) deep-rooted darkness and brewing identity crisis post fleeing a cult. The film takes you back and forth between Martha’s days in the cult and her time at her sister’s, disclosing sickening flashbacks to the group’s utter dysfunction. Easily one of the most quietly permeating films out there—it took us days to shake this one.

Sound of my Voice Much like Another Earth and Netflix’s The OA, this Brit Marling indie (she’s the writer and plays the lead) explores the concept of blind faith in a way that’s equal parts creepy, beautiful, and even a little bit believable. Here, a couple is on a mission to debunk alleged time-traveler Maggie’s claims that she can save a chosen few from a dystopian future. The film is weirdly timely and happens to be one of the few depictions of female cult leaders we’ve seen.

Rosemary’s Baby A literal cult-classic, Roman Polanski’s adaptation of famed author Ira Levi’s psychological-horror novel is arguably one of the most bone-chilling films ever. Mia Farrow’s Rosemary is as an innocent newlywed who unwillingly falls victim to an evil cult of Satan-worshiping neighbors. This cult proceeds to hijack her pregnancy in exchange for her actor husband’s success, tapping into every parent’s (and non-parent’s) worst nightmares in the process.

Eyes Wide Shut Stanley Kubrick’s final film has also become one of his most acclaimed. Revolving around a seemingly generic, wealthy, and attractive NYC couple (Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman), it explores marriage, lust, and virtue in a way that’s somehow relatable and cautionary at the same time. And it wouldn’t be a Kubrick movie without a healthy helping of weird, in this case, courtesy of a kinky secret society.

The Leftovers Based on a Tom Perrotta novel, The Leftovers (the final episode aired last month, making now an especially good time to breeze through all three seasons) approaches cults as important pieces of the puzzle that is the Sudden Departure (an unthinkable event when 2 percent of the world’s population inexplicably disappeared into thin air). One is called the Guilty Remnant and requires its members take a vow of silence, wear white exclusively, and chain smoke; the other, a fringe group led by self-proclaimed prophet and healer, Holy Wayne, who claims to relieve people of their pain by hugging them.