Mark Vicente Screens 'Narcissist’s Playbook' at National Mall

The filmmaker behind the HBO series "The Vow" and "What the Bleep Do We Know!?" is bringing a new documentary to the National Mall. Mark Vicente, known for his work in exposing cult-like organizations, is screening "Narcissist’s Playbook" for free on October 23-25. Vicente, who was a former member of NXIVM and later became one of its whistleblowers, spent five years filming across seven countries to uncover the tactics of malignant narcissists.

"Narcissist’s Playbook" features self-described narcissists explaining their manipulative techniques, survivors recounting their experiences, and expert insights from Dr. Ramani Durvasula and Dr. Heather Berlin. The film also includes appearances by actress Evan Rachel Wood and director Barry Sonnenfeld. Vicente’s own journey with NXIVM, which led to the arrest, conviction, and imprisonment of cult leader Keith Raniere, forms the backdrop of the film.

Despite its controversial subject matter, the film faced rejections from multiple studios and nearly 30 film festivals. Rather than shelving the project, Vicente and producer Scott Altomare released it independently, funded entirely by survivors. The documentary has since gained traction, being translated into 18 languages and building a worldwide audience through word-of-mouth.

Vicente and Altomare will be in Washington, D.C., for interviews on October 23-25. They will discuss the film and the five-year investigation into the tactics of narcissistic abuse. The screening aims to raise awareness about the patterns of manipulation and provide tools for those who may be or have been affected by such tactics.