Is the Andrea Yates Documentary on Netflix? When and Where Can You Watch the Real-Life Cult Thriller?

Published 01/10/2026, 3:36 PM EST

A mother’s love is often imagined as the safest place in the world. A voice that comforts, arms that hold, a presence that makes every ordinary day feel complete. A normal morning might begin with soft light falling across a kitchen table where children laugh. And then one day it can all go silent.

That unbearable silence is what eventually became the true-crime documentary, Andrea Yates' story in The Crimes That Changed Us. But there is a new twist to the original murder story. 

Is the Andrea Yates case available on Netflix? Where to watch

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If you are wondering whether this documentary is on Netflix, the answer is no. The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story is not streaming on Netflix. Instead, it has a more specific home and several ways to watch it conveniently. The three‑part series premiered on Investigation Discovery (ID) on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

It can be watched live on ID or streamed on demand through platforms that carry ID, such as DirecTV (which offers a five‑day free trial), Philo, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV. In addition, all episodes are available to stream on HBO Max (now part of the Max platform), where subscribers can watch the series at their own pace.

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But the real story is not just where you watch it. It is what the series claims really happened.

What is the Cult Behind the Killer about?

Before The Cult Behind the Killer, most viewers encountered the Andrea Yates tragedy through the 2020 HBO documentary, The Crimes That Changed Us. It carefully reconstructed the crime, the trial, and the devastating impact of her severe postpartum psychosis. It was powerful, but it largely stayed within the boundaries of what happened inside the courtroom and inside Yates herself.

The new Investigation Discovery series pushes beyond that frame by introducing a far more disturbing dimension. It brings the influence of a rogue street preacher, Michael Woroniecki, whose apocalyptic teachings framed motherhood, sin, and salvation in terrifying ways. Moses Storm, Woroniecki’s nephew and a former member of his inner circle, becomes a crucial voice in this retelling.

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His firsthand account reveals what life was like inside that fear-driven belief system. Through interviews with former followers and family members, the documentary suggests that these beliefs did not merely coexist with Yates’ illness but actively shaped how she interpreted her intrusive thoughts. However, The Cult Behind the Killer is not part of the unbelievable documentaries on Netflix.

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Does this new perspective change how you see the case? Tell us what you think.

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Sarah Ansari

98 articles

Sarah Ansari is an entertainment writer at Netflix Junkie, transitioning from four years in marketing and automotive journalism to storytelling-driven pop culture coverage. With a background in English Literature and experience writing across NFL, NASCAR, and NBA verticals, she brings a research-led, narrative-focused lens to film and television. Passionate about exploring how stories are crafted and why they resonate, Sarah unwinds through sketching, swimming, motorsports—and yearly winter Harry Potter marathons.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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