REVIEW #200 Under The Banner of Heaven (Season 1)

Under the Banner of Heaven follows Jeb Pyre as he investigates the murder of Brenda Lafferty and her 15 month old baby in the Salt Lake valley. Uncovering the disturbing truths behind the origins of the LDS religion, the detective begins to question his faith as he dives further into the investigation.


Under the Banner of Heaven provides a unique take on a detective story that explores the disturbing truths behind some elements of religion and how faith itself can be manipulated to suit the desires of monsters. Andrew Garfield takes on a very different role and illustrates why he is one of the best working actors today. His portrayal of a man questioning his faith as the murder case unravels is fantastic and it’s never too extravagant or out there, the slow decline is subtle and realistic and that helps remind audiences that the show is in fact based on true events, it feels real in every aspect. The storyline itself is quite hard hitting, reminding me of True Detective season one in a way, but instead of devil worshipers, it is in fact those claiming to do the ‘heavenly fathers’ work that are the culprits. I love how the episodes mislead the audience and towards the back end of the show we take a u-turn, where the new suspect almost comes out of nowhere. The pacing can definitely be a little slow at times but the cast is absolutely phenomenal, with so many talented actors delivering amazing performances and that makes the slower pace more than worth it. If you’re into your crime shows then look no further, Under the Banner of Heaven has you covered! Currently streaming on Disney+ in the UK! 

Overall (8.8/10)

Thanks for reading.

Callan

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