Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Docu about online love cult has curses, bullies, marketing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In 2020 investigative journalist Alice Hines wrote an article for Vanity Fair about the controversial Twin Flames Universe, an online community founded by Michigan-based Jeffrey Ayan and Megan Plante, aka Jeff and Shaleia Divine, for people looking for love. Based on her work, the true crime docuseries DESPERATELY SEEKING SOULMATE: ESCAPING TWIN FLAMES UNIVERSE offers an in-depth look at what many allege is a cult that preys on lonely people by promising to help match them with their "twin flames" -- the other halves of their divided souls. Interviews with former group members reveal how and why they joined the seemingly spirituality-based organization, which, with the help of expensive online classes, pushed them to identify who their individual soulmates were. "Therapeutic" sessions with its two untrained gurus also encouraged them to pursue their matches relentlessly, regardless of whether their feelings were reciprocated. Loved ones talk about what it was like watching from the outside, and share their concerns about those who remain in it. Meanwhile, YouTube videos, Facebook posts, and other social media content featuring the Divines reveal how they claim to have god-like qualities, and the tactics they use to manipulate members while increasing their net worth.
Is It Any Good?
The three-part series offers an illuminating look at the evolution of a thriving online-only community that mixes beliefs of deep spiritual love connections based on karmic law with delusions of religious grandeur. Like most cult-themed documentaries, it highlights what people were searching for when they joined, and what it took to ultimately disconnect from the group. It also points to the fact that behind this semi-mystic universe is a lucrative Internet business enterprise that relies on followers buying courses and meal plans, and becoming coaches tasked with recruiting members and expanding the Divines' teachings (and their bank accounts).
Outside of encouraging members to stalk their matches, the most disturbing reveals from Desperately Seeking Soulmate are the details surrounding the gurus' attempts to pressure members to transition to a different gender under the guise of a transcendent purpose. Granted, it may be hard not to judge those who got caught up in, or still part of, this online world. But it's also important to acknowledge that the two people behind it are very good at manipulating folks who are part of generation that looks to social media to make sense of the world around them.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what a "twin flame" is. How did finding one become an online trend? Did the Covid-19 pandemic made finding a twin flame online more popular?
What does Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe reveal about finding community via social media? How can we protect ourselves from online initiatives seeking to exploit people?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 6, 2023
- Cast : Alice Hines , Jeff Divine , Shaleia Divine
- Network : Prime Video
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 18, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate