Cultcore

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Sensitive Content Notice ⚠️

The following article contains and discusses content that may be distressing to some readers.
Reason for Warning: This article has a heavy focus on topics of cults, religion, trauma based mind control, and ritual abuse. Images may be disturbing, shocking, and specific. If this topic is triggering to you, please turn back from this page. viewer discretion is strongly advised.

Cultcore is an aesthetic centered around the themes of cults. It often involves imagery that hints towards idealization, religious symbols, mind control, and god complexes. From a media standpoint, Cultcore media is based on stories, real or false, of people following false, unrealistic leaders and ideals and the longing for purity but being corrupted. It can also consist of escaping or overthrowing a cult when it comes to a visual story or the stories in the media.

Criticism[]

Cultcore has been criticized for misrepresenting cults and minimizing the extremely negative effects many cults have on members.^[1]^[2] Cultcore also has been described as a harmful aesthetic as it aestheticizes cults, ritual abuse, and trauma-based mind control.

Visuals[]

Cultcore visuals include groups of people, usually all in black or white clothing, candles, crosses, light gore, open skies, rainbows, and VHS tapes. Cryptic or spiritual figures and settings such as churches, forests, and remote communes are often used. Quotes of phrases, words and especially chants relevant to control, religion, power, and corruption are popular. Imagery that has become emblematic of certain cults in history, such as purple Kool-Aid or black Adidas tracksuits may also be used as a reference.