Parents' Guide to

Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult

By Ty'Kira Smalls, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Emotional docuseries focuses on control, social media fame.

TV Netflix Drama 2024
Dancing for the Devil TV show poster: The Wilking sisters hold hands under a necklace with a cross and broken heart.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Dancing for the Devil TV show screenshot 1: Melanie and Miranda Wilking lean one each other while laughing hysterically.
  • Dancing for the Devil TV show screenshot 2: Melanie crying between parents (Dean and Kelly Wilking) in Instagram live video.
  • Dancing for the Devil TV show screenshot 3: Former 7M member Aubrey Fisher sits interviewed.

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What's the Story?

DANCING FOR THE DEVIL: THE 7M TIKTOK CULT opens with the story of twins Melanie and Miranda Wilking. Passionate dancers with an unbreakable bond, they move out to Los Angeles to achieve their dreams of making a career on social media. But when Miranda starts dating another dancer who is a member of Shekinah Church, Melanie starts to see and hear from her less and less.

Founded by Robert Shinn, Shekinah Church had multiple members of the congregation that were dancers with large social media followings. When Shinn decides to create an entertainment company called 7M to employ these dancers, Miranda joins the roster. Then Melanie and her family never hear from her again, only to watch her life on social media. Determined to bring their daughter back, the Wilking's reach out to other families and find out that there's something darker going on with Shekinah, 7M, and Robert Shinn.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This docuseries explores the dark phenomenon of cults and content houses. Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult is emotional, eerie, and topical. In the era of cultivated feeds, it's bizarre to see what's happening on the other side of the screen in this series. If your kids are online and familiar with these influencers, there's a lot of potential to discuss topics regarding social media, fame, etc. The language and discussions of sexual violence makes it suitable for older teens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • What do you think the producers of Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult are trying to achieve with the series? Inform, warn? Do you think this series is using this story as entertainment value?

  • Were you familiar with "content houses" or "collab houses" before watching this? Can you name any? What do you think about them? How do they affect creators?

  • What techniques did Robert Shinn use to manipulate members? Why do you think those were effective? What are some ways to protect ourselves from joining groups with ulterior motives?

TV Details

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