From its beginnings as a ‘self-help’ group to its transformation into an abusive cult, the documentary follows the horrific claims of psychological and sexual abuse within the group.
Directed by Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer, The Vow looks at how NXIVM rose to prominence and the eventual arrest of its main leaders, including founder Keith Raniere who was convicted on sex trafficking, child pornography and racketeering conspiracy charges.
If you’re looking for to dive deeper into The Vow and its members, here’s everything you need to know about the people involved in the docuseries and where they are now.
Keith Raniere
Who is Keith Raniere?
Keith Raniere was the founder of NXIVM–the “multi-level marketing organisation” which many considered to be a sex cult. According to the New York Times, Raniere went by the title ‘Vanguard’ within NXIVM and was accused of conducting sexual relationships with underage women, inducting women into the society as sexual slaves—where he branded his initials on them—and forced them to provide nude photos or other potentially damaging information about themselves.
Where is Keith Raniere now?
In March 2018, Raniere was arrested and indicted on charges related to sex trafficking, conspiracy for sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit forced labour. In June 2019, he was found guilty on all charges.
As of October 28 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of New York confirmed that Keith Raniere has been sentenced to 120 years in prison for his crimes.
Allison Mack
Who is Allison Mack?
Actress Allison Mack, known for her roles on Smallville and FX’s Wilfred, had found fame before joining NXIVM. However, she was reportedly recruited to NXIVM’s Vancouver chapter in 2010 along with her Smallville co-star Kristin Kreuk.
She soon became one of the cult’s main figures and began convincing NXIVM members to join a secret society within the group named DOS, introducing a requirement that female members be branded with Raniere’s initials. During her time in NXIVM, she married Canadian actress Nicki Clyne.
Where is Allison Mack now?
Mack was arrested in 2018 on charges of sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy and forced labour conspiracy. Prosecutors alleged that she blackmailed women into engaging in sexual activity with Raniere despite not wanting to. In April 2019, she pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and racketeering charges. She is currently awaiting sentencing.
Sarah Edmondson
Who is Sarah Edmondson?
A Canadian actress, Sarah Edmondson was a member of NXIVM for some time, before leaving in 2017. She spoke out about the abuse within NXIVM after leaving the cult, claiming that she was invited into DOS and endured branding with Raniere’s and Mack’s initials.
Where is Sarah Edmondson now?
The 43-year-old appears in The Vow, recalling her time within NXIVM and how she tried to convince a number of the group’s members to leave. She was the subject of investigative podcast Uncover: Escaping NXIVM in 2018, and wrote a memoir in 2019 titled Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life.
Mark Vicente
Who is Mark Vicente?
Filmmaker Mark Vicente was a member of NXIVM for a decade and began rising through the ranks when he discovered the group’s secret society DOS, where he made the decision to leave. In court, he described NXIVM as a “well-intended veneer that covers horrible evil”.
Where is Mark Vicente now?
Vicente made an appearance in HBO’s The Vow, where he gave interviews about his time in the organisation. He continues to work as a writer and cinematographer, and is currently developing a sci-fi series.
Nancy Salzman
Who is Nancy Salzman?
Nancy Salzman, a psychiatric nurse and trained practitioner of hypnotism and Neuro-Linguistic programming, co-founded NXIVM alongside Keith Raniere in 1998. Recruiting a number of people into the group, including her own daughter Lauren Salzman, she was known as “Prefect” within the cult.
After Raniere’s arrest in 2018, Salzman was later arrested on charges of racketeering. In court, Salzman admitted to hacking into the emails of the group’s apparent enemies to destroy evidence that could be used against them.
Where is Nancy Salzman now?
In March 2019, Salzman plead guilty to a charge of racketeering criminal conspiracy, which her daughter also plead guilty to. She is currently awaiting sentencing, which prosecutors have asked to consist of 33 to 41 months in prison.
Clare and Sara Bronfman
Who are Clare and Sara Bronfman?
Heiresses to the Seagram liquor fortune, Sara and Clare Bronfman became involved in NXIVM early on and went on to become high-ranking members of the group. As both sisters became more involved in the organisation, they became massive financial backers in its expansion. Clare became the cult’s operations director and one of its largest financial contributors.
Where are Clare and Sara Bronfman now?
While both Sara and Clare were named by Vicente as part of Raniere’s “trusted group,” Sara was never formally accused of a crime, whereas Clare now faces charges of racketeering as a member of NXIVM’s executive board.
Nicki Clyne
Who is Nicki Clyne?
Battlestar Galactica actress Nicki Clyne became involved with NXIVM in 2006 and requested to be let out of her contact with the hit-show in order to focus on the NXIVM group full-time. The Canadian actress married Allison Mack in 2017, however the prosecutors in Mack’s criminal case have alleged that the marriage was a way to bypass U.S. Immigration laws.
Where is Nicki Clyne now?
In 2019, Clyne was identified as part of Raniere’s “inner circle” by a government witness, however she was not charged as a conspirator on any of the charges brought against Raniere and other members of NXIVM.
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