Escaping Twin Flames is your next infuriating cult docuseries
If you haven't seen Netflix's crushing exposé yet, what are you waiting for?
Soulmates are a tricky concept. Most people who believe in them (for the sake of transparency, this writer does not) may understandably do so because it’s reassuring to think someone out there is willing to accept them exactly as they are. It’s as comforting a notion as any—wanting to find the one, a perfect fit, an ideal partner. Or as alleged cult leaders Jeff and Shaleia Ayan like to sell it: a twin flame. It sounds lovely on paper. However, as seen in Netflix’s jaw-dropping docuseries, Escaping Twin Flames, the couple has more diabolical plans than helping others find true love.
Directed by Cecilia Peck, the three episodes dive into how Jeff and Shaleia prey on thousands under the guise of assisting them in discovering their “twin flame.” (Their Facebook group currently has 71,000 members.) If you’re wondering what the phrase means, it’s a belief the person you’re meant to be with is your karmic soulmate for eternity. The duo takes advantage of this idea—and their clients’ desperate want for that idea to be true—claiming to have a god-like ability to recognize those who belong together. So what if it involves essentially forcing a 19-year-old woman to stay with an unemployed 30-year-old man with a criminal record? Or encouraging clients to dangerously stalk potential love interests who are already married? Those aren’t even the worst parts. Your anger levels will spike, but Escaping Twin Flames is a tough, crucial watch as it uncovers the Ayans’ troubling Twin Flames Universe, and exposes why they’re able to con those who seek a community.
Jeff and Shaleia’s business MLM model is to coach prospective clients through virtual meetings, teaching them how to land and stick with their twin flame. Based on ETF’s footage from the meetings and interviews with several women who have now escaped, lessons eventually involve yelling, nagging, and various other forms of psychological abuse. For the low, low cost of $222 per month on courses (to start with), they help couples “ascend to harmonious union.” There’s also sex advice in the realm of how it’s the Divine Feminine’s duty to satisfy the Divine Masculine, whether or not she wants to. (I did say it’ll be infuriating.)
Thankfully, ETF quickly unspools Jeff and Shaleia’s actual talent: Scamming vulnerable people out of their money, hearts, and souls, and destroying families in the process. Like any expert cult leader, they rely on isolating their victims from everyone in their lives. The docuseries depicts how they horrendously capitalize on people’s vulnerability, trauma, loneliness, fear, and heartbreaks. It’s despicable, made worse by the obvious fact that they’re both deeply insufferable and manipulating useful tools to fund their lifestyles and egos.