Cults & The Matrix (1999)
I realized The Matrix is a good analogy for most cults, not just Scientology.
Regardless of whether members of cults were born and raised in one or joined later in life like Dr. Steve Hassan and Tom Cruise did, cults are kind of like the Matrix.
The Matrix is a computer-generated fake reality that was designed to control humans. Eventually, humans become fuel for the machines. In short, they are nothing more than narcissistic supply for AI.
Neo (Keanu Reeves) lives in the Matrix, but has an instinct that there's something wrong with the world, but he doesn't know what that problem is. Eventually, he meets Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), which leads into the iconic pill scene. The meat and potatoes of the dialogue during this scene is as follows:
Morpheus: Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life. That there's something wrong with the world, you don't know what it is, but it's there. Like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I'm talking about?
Neo: The Matrix?(Neo takes the red pill)
Just as the Matrix is a mental prison, so are cults. Many cults brainwash their members, enslaving them. I have embedded the clip of Morpheus showing Neo what the Matrix truly is above. Some people may find the clip disturbing.
After Morpheus and his crew have unplugged Neo from the Matrix and shown him what the Matrix is, a disgruntled and disillusioned crewmember named Cypher (Joe Pantoliano) makes a deal with Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) to be plugged back into the Matrix in exchange for Morpheus, who knows the access codes to the real world's computer mainframe. The dialogue during that scene as follows:
Agent Smith: Do we have a deal, Mr. Reagan?
Cypher: You know, I know this steak doesn't exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, you know what I realize? Ignorance is bliss.
Agent Smith: Then we have a deal?
Cypher: I don't want to remember nothing. Nothing. You understand? And I want to be rich. You know, someone important. Like an actor.
Agent Smith: Whatever you want, Mr. Reagan.
Cypher: Okay. I get my body back into a power plant, re-insert me into the Matrix, I'll get you what you want.
Agent Smith: Access codes to the Zion mainframe.
Cypher: No, I told you, I don't know them. I can get you the man who does.
Agent Smith: Morpheus.
The dialogue above is a good parallel for how cults recruit people: they offer all sorts of enticing things.
Later, Cypher betrays Morpheus and his crew, resulting in the following dialogue between Cypher and Trinity (Carrie Anne Moss).
Cypher: I'm tired, Trinity. I tired of this war. I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of this ship, being cold, eating the same goddamn goop everyday. But most of all, I'm tired of that jack-off and all his bullshit. Surprise, ass-hole! I bet you never saw this coming, didja? God, I wish I could be there, when they break you. I wish I could walk in just when it happens. So right then, you'd know it was me.
Trinity: You gave them Morpheus.
Cypher: He lied to us, Trinity. He tricked us. If you'da told us the truth, we woulda told you to shove that red pill right up your ass.
Trinity: That's not true, Cypher, he set us free.
Cypher: Free? You call this free? All I do is what he tells me to do. If I had to choose between that and the Matrix, I choose the Matrix.
Trinity: The Matrix isn't real!
Cypher: I disagree, Trinity. I think the Matrix can be more real than this world
Cypher: Welcome to the real world, huh, baby?
Trinity: But you're out, Cypher. You can't go back.
Cypher: Oh, no. That's what you think. They're going to reinsert my body. I go back to sleep, and when I wake up, I won't remember a goddamn thing.