There’s definitely a spectrum, and influence can absolutely be the opening act to indoctrination if someone’s playing the long con (or even a slick short one). It’s like influence is the bait, and indoctrination’s the hook—how fast you get reeled in depends on the player and their endgame.

Movies and TV love this trope: the charming manipulator who starts with a wink and a smile, nudging you along (influence), until boom—you’re chanting their cult’s anthem without blinking (indoctrination). Think of stuff like The Truman Show or even Breaking Bad—Walter White didn’t turn Jesse into a loyal soldier overnight; it was a slow drip of influence until the kid was all-in.

In real life, it’s the same deal. Someone with an objective—say, a politician, a marketer, or even a shady guru—might start with soft influence: a catchy slogan, a feel-good vibe, a relatable story. If they’re good, you don’t even notice the shift to indoctrination ‘til you’re decked out in their merch, parroting their lines. The speed’s up to their skill and your susceptibility. A master can fast-track it with charisma or fear; a clunky amateur might take years.
What’s wild is how the objective colors it. If they want power, they’ll influence you into blind loyalty. If it’s money, they’ll nudge you ‘til you’re a walking billboard.