Does anyone remember the VeggieTales series? Or DreamWork’s, The Prince of Egypt? Or the Son of God from 20th Century Fox? Biblical media has had a firm place in the entertainment industry for decades. The Passion of Christ, made in 2004, held the domestic box-office record for an R-rated film until just last summer when Deadpool and Wolverine passed it. Whether it’s talking vegetables, an animated epic or a live action feature film, many seek to adapt Scripture for us in the present day. However, over time, Hollywood has shifted away from religious-based films, allowing for more niche and smaller studios to take up the mantle.
The Chosen is far and away the biggest of these niche productions, bringing a faith-based production back into the public sphere and hosting a red-carpet premiere in Los Angeles for the debut of its fourth season. Showrunner Dallas Jenkins has created both an excellent depiction of the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as an incredibly high-quality series in its own right. Considered the most successful crowdfunded television series or film project in history, the first season of The Chosen received a $10.2 million budget from more than 16,000 donors and investors. Now slated to finish after its seventh season, The Chosen has shown no signs of slowing down in its reach and popularity. Reviews of The Chosen have been extremely favorable even though it is in its fourth season. The show has a whopping 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 9.2/10 on IMDb.
Given that the Gospels only constitute a fraction of the Bible, the choice to translate Jesus’s story into long-form content gives us large swaths of time to explore very condensed events. While some may disagree with the creative license taken by the show’s writers, I believe that it adds to both the characters and message that each episode tries to convey. The Bible is so dense that two or three lines can have multiple layers of meaning and symbolism. Stretching out these stories into entire episodes not only makes the message more digestible but adds a new layer of emotion that is elicited upon future readings of Scripture. A heavy emphasis is placed on individual characters and long, dialogue-heavy scenes. My favorite scene from the first season is a 10-minute intellectual conversation at a table between Jesus, played by Jonathan Roumie, and Nicodemus, played by Erick Avari. Part of what makes these characters so engaging is not just the performances, but the writing that weaves the narratives together. We see the Apostles act like high-school friends, teasing and joking with each other in such a natural way. In previous adaptations, the short-time limit meant that we only saw glimpses of central figures, such as Peter or Matthew. Here, each has their own story line and unique trials, bringing depth to each character and scene.
“I have had so many people recommend to me The Chosen as an incredibly powerful and accurate portrayal of Christ’s life and ministry noted in Scripture,” ACS professor Kaley Carpenter said when asked about the series after a class discussion on the Gospel of Mark.
The Chosen is being shown at Villanova’s St. Rita’s Hall on Saturdays, further illustrating how much this project has penetrated modern audiences.
For those who may feel a lack of connection with present forms of religious practice, The Chosen is both spiritually moving and immensely entertaining. It is a show that can be enjoyed by all while also challenging us to think about who we are, the life we live and what it all means.
