"Begotten" has gradually developed a cult following over the years and is considered by some to be the director's masterpiece. It was listed in the 2011 book "100 Cult Films" by Ernest Mathijs and Xavier Mendik over Mendik's objections, as he felt its following was too small to merit inclusion. However, it ultimately made it in because, to Mathijs, its following represented "the real sectarian cult; it's a very small committed group of people. It's like a secret handshake that goes worldwide. If you've seen "Begotten", you're in that cult."