The Chosen (2019)

What the critics said

Critics generally praised the acting, direction, and the show’s approach to speculative storytelling beyond typical Bible narratives. Patricia Holbrook of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution noted that the series’ authenticity helped her realize how little she had previously considered regarding the humanity of Jesus. The production value also drew attention from Christian commentators, who argued it raises the bar for other faith-based productions. Not everyone was convinced. Chris DeVille of The Atlantic observed that the show’s success stems from its insularity, noting it finds its fans mostly among the already converted. A more pointed dissent came from critics who accused the writers of injecting Mormon theology into the scripts. Creator Dallas Jenkins has firmly refuted those claims, insisting the show remains conservative evangelical in its theology.