An opinionated former cult-member must convince his equally-opinionated family to leave the same cult before they commit the ultimate sacrifice – themselves. TITLE: Born to Die
mrmmrLogliner
An opinionated former cult-member must convince his equally-opinionated family to leave the same cult before they commit the ultimate sacrifice – themselves. TITLE: Born to Die
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At 22 words, the logline is succinct.? But, alas, it lacks an inciting incident.? What has happened that makes it a matter of? life-or-death NOW that he must convince his family to leave the cult?
(For that matter, why did he leave?? Why isn’t he still deluded like his family? Have you worked that out?? That’s not an essential aspect for the purpose of the logline, but I suggest it is an essential aspect of the protagonist’s character in the script.? And I am frankly curious because in my foolish and emotionally vulnerable youth I came under the influence of a religious cult. And? I have mulled over a lot why the arguments that brought me to my senses failed to persuade others..? Which is why I think? “opinionated” misses the mark in describing the family.? The problem with the family is that they are deluded.)
fwiw
You should give us an inciting incident and since this seems to be some sort of suicide cult there will probably be an automatic ticking time clock.
Here would be an example of an inciting incident with a ticking clock:
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“When his former cult leader commands the entire group to commit suicide on the night of the comet, a former member has one week to re-infiltrate the group and rescue his brainwashed family”
Agreed with the above, this supercool idea would benefit greatly from a simple inciting event
And definitely deluded/brainwashed over opinionated
I don’t get why he needs to be “former cult member” though. Can he be a member too and this news of the comet shook the cult out of him?
Otherwise great film with great stakes!
Best wishes
I like the implied time limit. Feels like a nearby date has been set.
>>>Can he be a member too
I think this would be an interesting choice, if:
1] The protagonist is in a subordinate position within the pecking order of the cult hierarchy.? (Cults are very hierarchical.)? Like? if he is a son in the family he’s trying to rescue because, per the 5th commandment, children are supposed to “honor” (Translation:? “Don’t argue, do as your told.”)
2] Even better make the protagonist the daughter in the family.? Which places her even lower down in the pecking order, essentially powerless because not only is she under the proscription of the 5th commandment, but cults are also patriarchal regimes where women are supposed to keep silent and submit to the authority of men (1 Timothy 2:11-12).? (Translation:? “Who? asked your opinion?? Shut the f**k up and do as you’re told!”)
So she’s not just persuading — she’s rebelling.? Which amplifies? tension and conflict.
But if you want to keep the protagonist in the role of an ex-cult member, then as a female she would have an even harder task because of the fact that women don’t get no respect.
fwiw
(Keeping your title in mind I made him rebel against the whole cult instead of just convincing his family members)
After his dogmatic cult-family agrees to a collective hecatomb, a adamant former cult member must rebel against the dictatorial cult-sovereign and save his family.
(Note: The words are googled. I am an Indian.)
Of course an inciting incident: If only it was clear what was the cult following?
For e.g. Religious: sacramental-hecatomb
I do not know how to use this word but if you can:
(Apostasy: the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief or principle.)
When a comet appears in the sky on the date prophetised by a doomsday cult, a former member has a week to rescue his family before they all commit mass suicide.