“The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping” chronicles what would transpire at these institutions. For example, kids would be prevented from contacting the outside world and subjected to a strip search upon arrival. Filmmaker Katherine Kubler went to such a facility, and upon wanting to make a documentary about this practice, she found that many others were in her shoes. She told Tudum by Netflix, “There are so many incredible, important, powerful stories out there that people are finally ready to share with the world.” 

On X, @naima provides this answer to someone asking if Netflix’s “The Program” is triggering: “Some parts were hard to watch. I think ep 3 was the one where they had old security footage from one of the facilities.” X user @TheSportsHernia also pointed to a moment that may be tough for certain viewers to handle: “‘The Program’ on Netflix is crazy from the start but about 7 minutes into episode 2 the level of f***** up psychological warfare reaches another level.”

From the parents to the people working at these facilities, so many individuals failed to protect numerous children. It’s completely understandable so many would be angry after watching “The Program,” but hopefully, that anger can lead to positive change. Kubler encourages people to become familiar with the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, a proposed piece of legislation to create better standards for residential treatment options for children. Several movies have actually changed the world, and maybe “The Program” will help prevent future generations from enduring such abuse.

If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.