Trust Me: The False Prophet — New interview suggests Sam Bateman still rules from prison
The Netflix documentary Trust Me: The False Prophet follows Sam Bateman’s rise as a self-styled prophet within the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) after Warren Jeffs’ incarceration. Bateman built a following by arguing that Jeffs was speaking through him, positioning himself as a spiritual leader who could fill a power vacuum within the group.
When Jeffs was jailed for child sexual assault, Bateman claimed to inherit Jeffs’ mantle and began assembling multiple wives, some reported to have been as young as nine. He was eventually arrested and imprisoned in 2022, yet the documentary points to ongoing influence he maintains over his wives from behind bars.
Bateman’s continued reach is illustrated in part by his daily phone calls to his wives from prison, a pattern the film documents as a form of control that persists even behind bars.
Director Rachel Dretzin explains that Bateman’s communications serve as a steady stream of indoctrination. In her words, the calls act like “an IV of indoctrination,” delivering certainty that Bateman is still in contact with a divine authority.
Naomi “Nomz” Bistline, one of Bateman’s former wives who later testified against him, describes the ongoing grip of his communications: “As long as he was in contact, he still had control, and that’s how it is with them even now, which is really sad.” She adds that she feels sympathy for the women, recalling what she herself endured.
Christine Marie, whose undercover footage forms a significant part of the series, believes the calls must end. She argues that breaking away from Bateman and others who believe in him could lead to a clearer sense of reality: “Once they break from him and from the other people who believe in him, then they can say, ‘Wait, maybe I’m not so certain. Maybe he did make all this up so that he could get money, power, and sex – like every other cult leader.’” She contends the women deserve true freedom and the chance to experience authentic love.
Dretzin remains hopeful that the film can catalyze real change. She envisions the documentary helping viewers understand the courage and perspective needed for some women to leave the group.
Trust Me: The False Prophet is streaming on Netflix now. If you’re following documentary news, you might also be interested in related coverage on cases like Skylar Neese, explorations into the Dark Web, or profiles of other public figures linked to high-control groups.