It is clear that they did their homework well making this movie. The way these cults and new-age religions present themselves, the way they operate, they are completely optimized for their goals. You have seen a glimpse of that, and when you came across a succesful depiction in this movie, you felt the eerie, uncomfortable sensation as before.
How many of you believe in telekinesis? Raise my hands.

I know enough about $cientology to thoroughly understand the fraud, mind control and destruction they practice on their weak-minded "parishioners." I've even visited their Clearwater cult headquarters as the guest of a friend (ex friend, after I wouldn't buy into their sick cult) who is too deep in to see what $cientology is, so I've seen the M.O. first hand. The scene in this movie inside the entrance of New Dawn or whatever it was called startled me. The style, artifacts, the statements and slogans being advertised my immediate thought was of $cientology, including the weird "members" speaking to the unsuspecting people that wander in the door. If the parallel with $cientology wasn't intentional, it was an amazing coincidence. Numerous other scenes gave me the same spine-tingling sensations - I didn't stop to analyze the parallels; they jumped out at me.

This message has been deleted.

I agree. I thought it was modeled after LaVeyian satanism, but some of these other posters say there are elements of $ciencefictionology as well.
My 150 (or so) favorite movies:
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070122364/

I thought the movie made it crystal clear this is about Satanism.Yet some how people in this thread are talking about scientology.

Agreed.

I'll take your word that the "New Dawn" cult is modeled after Scientology, but it reminded me of Laveyian satanism. It's probably a mixture of both.

It is strange how this film sort of foretold of Tom Cruises actions and drawing attention to Scientology. Watching it now, it has many familiar facets.
Synetech

They are downright dangerous!

That was my first though as well. Scientologists suck ass

Whoa! Interesting

The sun never sets on Scientology.
And may a NEW DAY DAWN for you, for those you love and for man.
Our aims are simple, if great.
And we will succeed, and are succeeding at each new revolution of the Earth.
Your help is acceptable to us.
Our help is yours.
L. Ron Hubbard
a little creepy if you ask me..

My first thought when I saw the triangle or prism or whatever it was they used for the logo was: Mindhead?
http://www.imdb.com/board/10131325/

sure, y not?
I'd rather be a fake somebody, than a real nobody- Tom Ripley