Watch the trailer *
How to watch the show *
Podcasts and Film Festivals *
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Monkey on a Stick Cinematography Award
Keenan Lynch wins the Robert Brooks Award for Documentary Cinematography.
Canadian Society of Cinematographers
CSC Awards, Toronto, September 6, 2025.
Canadian Society of Cinematographers
Congratulations to 2025 CSC Awards winners
Cinematography and fun photos from the production
Toronto, October 16, 2024
CP24 Toronto's number 1 morning show
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Director Jason Lapeyre joins CP24 Breakfast for a chat. The movie premiered that evening at the ScotiaBank Center in downtown Toronto.
ScotiaBank Center theater in downtown Toronto, October 16, 2024
Monkey on a Stick Goes Online
AMC+ Sundance - December 2024 USA
Apple TV - December 2024 USA
Hollywood Suite - May 2025 Canada
UK and the CEE - 2025
How to watch the show
carseywolf.ucsb.edu
Carsey-Wolf Center Screens
Monkey on a Stick on Campus
UC Santa Barbara allowed us to film in the UCSB Special Research Collections Library reading room in February 2024. We had about thirty boxes of photos and documents, out, and beautiful windows in the background.
When the movie came out, Heather Silva and David Gartrell worked with Emily Zinn, Associate Director Carsey-Wolf Center, to screen the movie on campus.
They brought Director Jason Lapeyre and Nori to attend the screening, and record a discussion with the audience. The students in the Carsey-Wolf Center Film and Media Studies edited the discussion, now available here (scroll down).
UC Santa Barbara's Carsey-Wolf Center screened Monkey on a Stick at the Pollock Theater on campus, April 10, 2025.
Left to right: David Gartrell, leading the discussion, Nori Muster, and Monkey on a Stick Director Jason Lapeyre.
Photo by Karen Hinds.
Many thanks to the students who prepared the discussion to play on University of California Television (UCT).
watch video
Monkey on a Stick Reviews from UCSB.
Go here to read the review.
Review by Tom Jacobs: Seeking inner peace, finding moral rot
Read the full review here: news.ucsb.edu
Review by Audrey Lin
Read the full review here: ucsb.edu
Podcasts & Film Festivals
Director Jason Lapeyre
alittlebitculty.com
watch video
In this week's episode, Sarah and Nippy sit down with filmmaker Jason Lapeyre, director of the new documentary Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness, and the Hare Krishnas. Together, they explore the movement's descent into a shocking underworld of abuse, drug smuggling, and even murder during the 1970s and 80s.
Jason shares the heartbreaking realities of Hare Krishna boarding schools, the dangerous power dynamics within the group, and how charismatic leaders exploited followers while living in opulence. This conversation is a deep dive into the human cost of unchecked authority, religious corruption, and legal loopholes that allowed perpetrators like Keith Ham to evade justice.
Nori Muster
alittlebitculty
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This week we continue to explore corruption within the Hare Krishna movement, this time through the eyes of former member Nori Muster. From 1978 to 1988, Nori worked in the movement's PR and media department, where she was tasked with spinning headlines and managing ISKCON's public image. However, what began as a spiritual refuge soon revealed a dark underbelly of corruption, cover-ups, and even murder.
Nori recounts her time in ISKCON, her growing disillusionment, and the pivotal moments that led her to become a whistleblower. Her story sheds light on the systemic issues within the movement and offers insights into the ongoing challenges of healing from cult involvement.
A short clip from the Little Bit Culty interview: watch video
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The Dark Side of Hare Krishna: Abuse, Mind Control & ISKCON Scandals. Dr. Steve Hassan interviews Steve Gelberg, on his writing, his years in ISKCON, and his part in Monkey on a Stick.
Dr. Steve Hassan interviews Nori Muster:
Finding Freedom: How to Regain Control After Leaving a Coercive Cult.
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Short from Vancouver International Film Festival interviews Director Jason Lapeyre.
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Windsor International Film Festival
windsorfilmfestival.com
Marfa Film Festival
cinemarfa.org
More Interviews and Reviews
Monkey on a Stick's Jason Lapeyre talks to Steve Norton
ScreenFish 1on1
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Article by Steve Norton
screenfish.net
createastir.ca
American poet Susan Kinsolving's letter review of Monkey on a Stick Documentary
I thought that the film was exceptionally well done. Really told the story clearly, felt honest and compelling. I was fascinated. Of course, I had to shield my eyes twice, Ghastly!
I was left with the sense of the piece being an important allegorical warning for our times. Then there's the ironic horror that it doesn't function as any warning at all; in fact, the Krisna cult is thriving and so is Trump's.
I thought the cinematography was also clear, not indulgent, and kept an understated visual rhythm I found the brief spiritual reflections were worthy ones, giving true observations of the human quest for understanding mortality.
So bravo. Few of us have done something this important.
Interview with Director Jason Lapeyre, by Pat Mullen
povmagazine.com
Read the full review (pdf at this site)
Longtime ICSA member, Nori Muster, is in the new movie Monkey on a Stick. She started working with Director Jason Lapeyre in 2019, and it was a deep dive into ISKCON history. To prepare for the film, Jason and Nori interviewed thirty former ISKCON members, including people who were born or raised in ISKCON. The movie is based on the 1988 bestselling book, Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness, and the Hare Krishnas, by John Hubner and Lindsey Gruson.
Interview with Jason Lapeyre, Director
Article by Elisabetta Bianchini
ca.news.yahoo.com
read the article at nationalobserver.com
Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness and the Hare Krishnas (Dec 17)
Jason Lapayre directs a stomach-churning expose of the criminal activity that took place in the Hare Krishna movement in America in the 1970s and 80s. Adapted from The New York Times bestselling book, this documentary tells the story of idealistic devotees who join the movement only to discover corruption, criminality and abuse of power within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Smuggling drugs, stockpiling weapons, exploiting female devotees, widespread child sexual abuse and murder, all happened under the systemic, long-term coverup of its spiritual leaders via control, isolation and threats. "The place was run like the Mafia," says one participant. bookandfilmglobe.com
Stranger-than-fiction documentary Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness & The Hare Krishnas, among other new series, films and specials.
An expose of the criminal activity that took place in the Hare Krishna movement in America in the 1970s and '80s. Adapted from The New York Times bestselling book, this documentary tells the story of devotees like Nori Muster, a young woman from Los Angeles who joins the movement to find inner peace and spiritual meaning and instead discovers a rotting heart of criminal activity taking place within ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Drug smuggling, stockpiling weapons, and the subjugation and exploitation of female devotees metastasizes to widespread child sexual abuse and murder, all under the watch of ISKCON's spiritual leaders - the gurus who run the movement.
From AMC Networks' press release
vitalthrills.com
Sundance Now's new two-part documentary, Monkey On A Stick: Murder, Madness & The Hare Krishnas, airing Thursday, December 12, 2024, isn't your typical true-crime fare. It's not about a single sensational crime, but rather the systemic rot within a seemingly peaceful spiritual movement. Based on The New York Times bestseller, the series pulls back the orange robes to reveal a world of alleged drug smuggling, weapons stockpiling, exploitation, child sexual abuse, and yes, even murder. Read the review
Review by Daniel Garber, for Cultural Mining
culturalmining.com
That's all they wrote! nytimes.com
Sphere Media's preview: watch video
ISKCON Communications issued a statement about the Monkey on a Stick documentary New Year's Eve. You can read it here: iskconnews.org
Monkey on a Stick: A Spiritual Whirlwind
thegate.ca
reelgood.com
Review by Liam Lacey
original-cin.ca
NEWS BRIEF: Amazon's Prime Video streaming service has picked up Murder & Madness: The Cult Conspiracy, a 1x98' feature doc produced by Sphere Media and is set to launch it in January 2025.
Murder & Madness: The Cult Conspiracy, from director Jason Lapeyre (I Declare War), is an exposé of the criminal activity that took place in the Hare Krishna movement in America in the 1970s and '80s, adapted from The New York Times bestselling book by John Hubner and Lindsey Gruson. The deal with Prime Video was done by London-based distributor Sphere Abacus.
Unlock Realscreen article.
Sphere Abacus (SA) has sold Murder & Madness: The Cult Conspiracy (1 x 98) a feature-length documentary produced by Sphere Media to Prime Video, which is set to launch in January 2025.
Murder & Madness: The Cult Conspiracy, from award-winning director Jason Lapeyre (I Declare War), is an exposé of the criminal activity that took place in the Hare Krishna movement in America in the 1970s and '80s, adapted from The New York Times bestselling book by John Hubner and Lindsey Gruson.
Read the entire article.
June 2025 - Sphere Media sells Monkey on a Stick to CEE territories.
sphere-abacus.com
imdb.com
deadline.com
Prabhupada disciple who was not a criminal shares his view of Monkey on a Stick
I'm not exactly sure what a cult movie about the human need to blindly follow leadership has to do with the state of the world right now, but maybe give it a watch and you can find a connection or two.
- Jason Lapeyre, director of Monkey on a Stick
The 1988 best selling book, Monkey on a Stick has become a cult classic.
Amazon
Canada: director's cut is playing on Hollywood Suite.
USA: AMC+ Sundance is playing the two episode TV version (slightly different from the director's cut) To watch the TV show, go to Amazon and put the two episodes in your cart. Check-out will be about $6.50.
If you want to watch free, get the free trial at Sundance or AMC+.
It is also playing on Apple TV.
Prime Video in the UK and CEE have the show under the title Murder & Madness: The Cult Conspiracy or simply Cult Conspiracy.
The director's cut will be available everywhere soon - stay tuned.
We do not recommend this movie for children.
Okay for adults who act like children.
The way I see this piece of art, the skeleton skull wearing tilak shows the collective sins of the gurus below. Ramesvara is looking up with guilt. He was one of only a few who admitted they were not very good at guru-ing. But most important, arrogant tyrants make many people suffer.
It's hard for me to believe I thought these men were gurus. But I was in my twenties, and I'm so much older now.
The poster will be for sale at the movie engagement, January 30, 2025 at the Revue Cinema in Toronto.
moviefone.com ask your neighborhood movie theater to show Monkey on a Stick!
amctheatres ask your neighborhood movie theater to show Monkey on a Stick!
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Now playing on AMC+ Sundance.
how to watch
Now playing online at Apple TV
Adapted from "Monkey on a Stick" written by John Hubner and Lindsey Gruson, "Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness & The Hare Krishnas" is a two-part true crime documentary series that delves deep into the Hare Krishna movement in the nation during the 1970s and 1980s. With the main focus on the systemic crimes within ISKCON, the show aims to give a voice to the former devotees and other associates of the movement through their insightful interviews.
Hansadutta / Hans Kary
Ramesvara / Robert Grant
Jayatirtha / James Immel
Kirtanananda / Keith Ham
Sulocana / Steve Bryant
Chakradhari / Charles St. Denis
Tirtha / Thomas Drescher
Randall Gorby
The movie Monkey on a Stick does not discuss Randall Gorby, but many people believe he was another New Vrindaban victim.
Read the article on Sport Skeeda
newsbreak.com
soapcentral.com
newsbreak.com
Screenshots from the Internet December 15, 2024
Visit the Futon Critic
Photos from the Production
Golden Gate Bridge
Filming an interview with Maria in front of the Round House Cafe.
Nori, Steve, and Maria interviewed there.
Photo by Jason Lapeyre.
Get a Brainwash Latte at the Golden Gate Bridge Round House Cafe
Photo'd and distorted by Jason Lapeyre.
Santa Monica Pier
Topanga Canyon Pyramid House
Topanga Canyon Trailhead
Jayatirtha's Psychedelic Kirtan
A photograph of the Bhaktivedanta Manor altar is projected on drapes, with a fan that makes the images move.
The Murder of Jayatirtha
In 1987, Jayatirtha was murdered in a hardware store in London, where he worked. We filmed in an antique store that did a good job looking like a hardware store.
Jayatirtha was alone in the store, and appears to be alone in the movie.This photo shows the shop was filled with people, including the camera crew, director, actors, stunt coordinator, and weapons handler.
Nori and Nandini Meet at the PR Office
Photos by Dustin Rabin
Director Jason Lapeyre shows actress Cassie Davidson the IBM Selectric typewriter.
Cassie Davidson, the actress who played Nandini, Nori's younger self.
In the movie, it looks like Nori and Nandini are alone in a conference room. Yet, it takes a village to film a scene.
Fun Photos from the Production
Crew in Los Angeles, February 2024
Srimad McKee, interviewed at Barney's Beanery, Santa Monica.
Jacob Young, interviewed at New Vrindaban
Cult expert Joe Szimhart, interviewed in Pittsburg.
John Hubner, interviewed at Canter's Deli.
Nori and John have been friends since 1988.
John is wrote the book Monkey on a Stick; Nori is the author of Betrayal of the Spirit, Cult Survivor Handbook, and Child of the Cult.*
Setting up for Nori's interview at Pann's restaurant on La Tijera Boulevard, just north of the L.A. Airport.
Nori and Dave watching interviews in Toronto.
Nori interviews Anuttama in Toronto.
Nori and Keenan while filming interviews in Toronto.
Photo'd and distorted by Jason Lapeyre
Nori and Priscilla during interviews in Toronto.
Photo by Dustin Rabin.
Jason at the premiere in Toronto, October 16, 2024
September 6, 2025, Keenan Lynch wins the Robert Brooks Award for Long Format Documentary Cinematography.
Rachel Maddow watch video
Editor's comment: In this segment, broadcast on MSNBC, Rachel Maddow reveals Tulsi Gabbard's background in "an obscure Hare Krishna splinter group." Tulsi's father Mike Gabbard is a longtime follower and disciple of Sai Young, also known as Siddhaswarupananda, Jagad Guru, and whose birth name is Chris Butler.
Before Sai met the Hare Krishna Founder Acharya Srila Prabhupada, I believe he was involved with the Brotherhood of Eternal Love. Chemists made the LSD and the Brotherhood distributed it. As a spiritual mission. The Brotherhood was established in California in 1966. They believed psychedelics would make the future better. At the time, it was legal to use and it was under scientific research for the government, at universities, and other places.
Sai was a guru with disciples in Hawaii. Then later when he met Srila Prabhupada, he surrendered to Prabhupada. In plain English that means he considered Prabhupada a better guru than he, so he asked to become one of his disciples.
Technically, Rachel was incorrect to call Sai an ISKCON guru. Sai left ISKCON in 1977, when Prabhupada was still living. And while Prabhupada was living, there was only one guru in ISKCON and that was him. So Sai was never a guru in ISKCON.
Although Sai withdrew to Hawaii, many of his disciples remained where they were in ISKCON. They were in Laguna Canyon temple, and later Pacific Ocean temple. Some settled in the Los Angeles temple. When I joined ISKCON I met many of them. Now, I'm not sure of the exact timeline, but around that time, drug smuggling became an income stream for ISKCON. Over the years I was a member it spread to other zones and there was more violence, murders, years after I left the organization. I don't know how things are now.
In Rachel Maddow's segment, she says Science of Identity Foundation was an offshoot of ISKCON and called him an ISKCON guru. Sai was never a guru in ISKCON because he left before the zonal guru system started. However, he was already a guru when he first encountered ISKCON. He wasn't an offshoot of ISKCON. It's more like he went back to what he was doing before.
Monkey sketches by Nori Muster
Nori's Website*
