Under the Banner of Heaven
HULU | Release Date: April 28, 2022
7.2
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
19
Mixed:
4
Negative:
3
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
0
JJorgMay 29, 2022
Such a disappointing show, I was expecting it to be more anti mormon than it was, but it paints the LD$ church in a very positive light. It treated religious subjects with way too much respect and dignity. This is the second time AndrewSuch a disappointing show, I was expecting it to be more anti mormon than it was, but it paints the LD$ church in a very positive light. It treated religious subjects with way too much respect and dignity. This is the second time Andrew Garfield ruined a show/movie I was looking forward to.....… Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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0
AlyssaStephensApr 29, 2022
Total crap. So flawed with some of the easy details that it is impossible to believe the controversial ones.
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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7
TVJerryMay 8, 2022
The writer/creator of this series is Dustin Lance Black, who won an Oscar for his script of Milk. As a former member of the LDS community, he brings a special insight into the subject. It's based on the true 1984 crime, when a wife and babyThe writer/creator of this series is Dustin Lance Black, who won an Oscar for his script of Milk. As a former member of the LDS community, he brings a special insight into the subject. It's based on the true 1984 crime, when a wife and baby daughter in the LDS community were killed in Salt Lake Valley, Utah. Andrew Garfield plays the lead detective, who not only looks for the killer, but confronts his own crisis of faith as he explores the concepts of the fundamentalist version of Mormonism that motivated them. As usual, Garfield delivers a subtle and potent performance, as does the rest of the cast. While the setup in Ep 1 promises an intense thriller, the subsequent episodes get hung up on the religious debate, which inhibits the tension. It presents a fascinating look at this little-known aspect of the Mormon history framed with sometimes compelling sequences, but could have benefited from less concept and more criminal content. (Review based on 3 of 7 one-hour eps).… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
OlivierPielJun 16, 2022
Overall it is a decent true crime story with an "exotic" twist about the Mormon history. Better paced and edited than most other shows, and with a efficient use of flashbacks both in the life of our protagonists but also the Mormon creation,Overall it is a decent true crime story with an "exotic" twist about the Mormon history. Better paced and edited than most other shows, and with a efficient use of flashbacks both in the life of our protagonists but also the Mormon creation, it will make you want to go to the next episode.
However the use of the shaky, jerky cam to create "tension" is worse than in NYPD Blue. It is absolutely unbearable. Garfield is also not as good or charismatic as an actor as the other protagonists, especially Allen. He's emoting like a GenZ gender studies male student...which doesn't make him very believable in a 1984 setting.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
JLuis_001Jul 22, 2022
At first I thought this show would be darker and more brutal, but that wasn't the case, and it's not that it shies away from that, it's just that the focus shifts from a story involving a murder investigation to an exploration involving aAt first I thought this show would be darker and more brutal, but that wasn't the case, and it's not that it shies away from that, it's just that the focus shifts from a story involving a murder investigation to an exploration involving a crisis of faith and what it implies to the point of radicalism.

Even Andrew Garfield's character himself seems too atypical for the situation in which the plot places him. He might even seem like a weak detective, but that's in keeping with the subtlety of his performance, which has just earned him an Emmy nomination.

Under the Banner of Heaven is a miniseries that stays tightly within the zone in which it allows itself to move, mostly driven by the main mystery, the big complaint I have with how it develops it is that it's too time consuming with its backstory, not because it seeks to try to fill in gaps or anything like that, but because it becomes too expansive for its own good.

It's not that I don't like dense thrillers, but here it does get a bit excessive. Mostly because at more than one point it seems to wander off a bit. However, it stays focused enough to make the whole journey satisfying enough for you to get through it.

It may not be as scabrous and overtly critical as it could have been, but it doesn't shy away from asking uncomfortable questions about the Mormon religion either.

It takes its time, but I liked it and recommend it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
asskittenJun 2, 2022
Pioneers come in all forms beyond covered wagons, there is the central one: Brenda. The final episode is full of tension and unbearable moments. I was sucked in after the first five minutes then fireworks. Some twists I didn't expect and IPioneers come in all forms beyond covered wagons, there is the central one: Brenda. The final episode is full of tension and unbearable moments. I was sucked in after the first five minutes then fireworks. Some twists I didn't expect and I ended up crying on the pillow I was hiding behind. Garfield and the cast is compelling.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
saimariejohnsonMay 6, 2022
Engrossing true crime with shocking elements that had me from the moment I began viewing! Riveting and stunning that it is based on a book that was written on true events, but definitely worth the watch if you are a true crime enthusiast whoEngrossing true crime with shocking elements that had me from the moment I began viewing! Riveting and stunning that it is based on a book that was written on true events, but definitely worth the watch if you are a true crime enthusiast who enjoys religious zealotry stories based on unimaginable events!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
LiblovesmoviesApr 29, 2022
After watching the first two episodes I felt deeply connected to the Native American Detective. As a Indigenous person who lives in Utah I feel this is a very accurate on how we are treated. I also felt that the story line seemed to be wellAfter watching the first two episodes I felt deeply connected to the Native American Detective. As a Indigenous person who lives in Utah I feel this is a very accurate on how we are treated. I also felt that the story line seemed to be well thought out and I thought that the religious aspect was very tastefully produced although some with a closed mind may disagree.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
PlantAstroJun 13, 2022
A riveting drama retells a heartbreaking, true story from the past about a double-murder in 1984. This is kinda the second season of True Detective we all should have deserved.

If you're in a hurry watch the first one and the last one. TheA riveting drama retells a heartbreaking, true story from the past about a double-murder in 1984. This is kinda the second season of True Detective we all should have deserved.

If you're in a hurry watch the first one and the last one. The finale is very strong. But episodes 3,5, and six are also very tense. Episode six may feel slow but actually has some of Garfield's best recent performances. The final episode seven is the epic climax of the series satisfying to watch being the least concerned with religion and most concerned with solving the murder.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
phishakid10Jul 18, 2022
Religion, Morals and Beliefs go head to head against Ethics, Misguidance and Promise. So many moving parts here in the performance driven murder mystery leave you just wanting more. Andrew Garfield absolutely slays it here with masterfulReligion, Morals and Beliefs go head to head against Ethics, Misguidance and Promise. So many moving parts here in the performance driven murder mystery leave you just wanting more. Andrew Garfield absolutely slays it here with masterful supporting performances. I'll be going to bed early if he doesn't win the Emmy.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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