Synopsis
Lured off the grid by charisma, entangled in murderous lies, threatened by vengeful loyalists, and haunted by questions, then beckoned by fate.
Eli is lost, hoping to find purpose and perspective following the charismatic Vance Kincaid and his rules for success. Lured off the grid with the promise of enlightenment, Eli must confront the allegations of Kincaid's torture of his own recruits, as police investigate the body count of many other Kincaid followers. Loyalists dismiss these allegations, calling the victims suicides, but Kincaid goes into hiding to avoid the spotlight. Looking behind the curtain, Eli becomes more entangled in Kincaid's web, but has gazed into the abyss too long to turn away.
Now the abyss gazes into Eli.
Glimpses inside Toxic: Into the Abyss
By Jason William Power 10/2/24
Release Date: 2/17/23
Recruits to Kincaid's program are deprived of sleep and food, tasked with helping to create content for Kincaid's sermon-like podcasts from the retreat mansion. Older followers push recruits to continue following the rules, the program, and the system. Inspired by trends of toxic masculinity gaining traction on social media, TO⮿IC asks the question: what happens when we depend on charismatic leaders to reshape us when we’re most vulnerable?
A surreal exploration of the underside of consumerism and contemporary cults of personality, TO⮿IC holds a mirror up to American masculinity in an age of uncertainty, hysterical political strongmen, and self-appointed prophets.
If you gaze into the abyss for long enough, it becomes ... TO⮿IC.
