Netflix has announced Trust Me: The False Prophet, a four-part documentary series directed by Rachel Dretzin, set to premiere on April 8, 2026. The announcement arrives alongside the release of the official trailer, offering the first look at the series.
The project examines the rise of Samuel Bateman through the perspectives of individuals who gained access to his inner circle.
A Four-Part Investigation Into a Closed Community
Watch the Trailer
What Trust Me The False Prophet Netflix Documents
According to the official synopsis, Trust Me: The False Prophet follows cult expert Christine Marie and her husband, videographer Tolga Katas, as they enter the community of Short Creek, Utah.
The series centers on their effort to understand and document the influence of Samuel Bateman, who positioned himself as a successor within the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS).
As they embed themselves within the community, the couple encounters what the series describes as a vulnerable population facing the emergence of a new leader. Their investigation shifts as they begin to uncover evidence that raises deeper concerns about the environment surrounding Bateman.
The documentary incorporates first-hand accounts, previously unseen footage, and material gathered during their time inside the group.
Inside the Story: Access and Testimony
The series is built around direct access to individuals connected to the events, including women who chose to speak publicly about their experiences.
Through these testimonies, Trust Me: The False Prophet examines the structure of authority within the group and the impact of that system on its members.
The narrative is structured around both the personal accounts of those involved and the documentation gathered during the investigation.
Creative Team and Production Background
Trust Me: The False Prophet is directed by Rachel Dretzin, whose previous work includes Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey.
Jamila Ephron produces the series.
Executive producers include:
- Jeff Skoll
- Courtney Sexton
- Miura Kite
- Rachel Dretzin
- Dorin Razam
- Zachary Herrmann
- Tolga Katas
The project is produced by A Participant and Ark Media Production.
Director’s Perspective on the Series
Rachel Dretzin described the documentary as an opportunity to bring visibility to a largely closed environment.
“Trust Me offers intimate access to a normally closed world, and in doing so, I hope it exposes both the violence that enforced secrecy enables and what it takes to tell the truth when everything is at stake,” Dretzin said.
She also emphasized the role of those who chose to speak out, noting that their actions extend beyond the immediate context of the story.
The Poster
Key Details
- Title: Trust Me: The False Prophet
- Release date: April 8, 2026 on Netflix
- Format: Documentary series
- Episodes: 4 episodes (approximately 45 minutes each)
- Director: Rachel Dretzin
- Series producer: Jamila Ephron
- Executive producers: Jeff Skoll, Courtney Sexton, Miura Kite, Rachel Dretzin, Dorin Razam, Zachary Herrmann, Tolga Katas
- Production companies: A Participant, Ark Media Production
- Subject: The rise of Samuel Bateman within an FLDS community
- Focus: First-hand accounts, investigative access, and documentation from within the group
