My experience in AA over the years has been positive. In fact joining AA and getting sober is the best thing that happened to me as an adult.
Having said that... there are members some with decades of sobriety who are bad news. And meetings that give off a cult-like vibe.
But it was always this individual or that meeting.
Not AA as a whole.
When I was new there was an AA big book thumper who made it clear the gutter was waiting unless I did things his way. Which meant letting him become my sponsor.
To be blunt even new in AA I could sense this guy was damaged goods. I wanted nothing to do with him and the same applied to a few others. So, I stayed away. Didn't argue. Just never called them.
On the other hand there were those who had a better read on me. They could see attraction rather than tooting their own horn or quoting the BB was a more effective approach.
AA members/meetings are mixed bag to be sure. Yet it's free and readily available. Take what you need and leave the rest.