Although Under The Banner Of Heaven is far from an easy watch, the gripping Hulu true-crime series is still an absolute must-watch thanks to Andrew Garfield’s stunning central performance alone. There are a lot of true-crime shows for viewers to choose between, as every streaming service has produced numerous classic additions to the genre over the last decade.
From Netflix’s superb Mindhunter to Hulu’s Murdaugh: A Death in the Family, there is no shortage of critically acclaimed true-crime shows. However, even within this crowded field of competitors, 2022’s Hulu series Under The Banner Of Heaven stands out as a particularly superb example of the genre’s potential.
The Gripping True-Crime Story of Under The Banner Of Heaven Is Unmissable
This miniseries stars Andrew Garfield as Jeb Pyre, a Mormon detective from East Rockwell, Utah. Based on the 2003 non-fiction book by journalist Jon Krakauer, Under the Banner of Heaven follows Pyre’s investigation into the brutal killing of a Mormon mother and her baby. Pyre soon realizes the murder is linked to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
With an impressive supporting cast that includes Adelaide Clemens, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Rory Culkin, Under The Banner Of Heaven is both a gripping mystery and an unflinching look at abuses of power within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While 2024’s Heretic offered a more optimistic portrayal of its Mormon heroines, this miniseries is more critical.
Garfield does some of the best work of his long career as Pyre, a detective who is caught between his faith in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his duty as a police officer. The disturbing murder at the center of the series casts a dark shadow over the controversial church, but the show isn’t content to simply demonize Mormonism outright.
Under The Banner Of Heaven Is A Tough Watch Even For True-Crime Fans
Instead, Under The Banner Of Heaven questions the way that organized religion itself operates and highlights how its institutions are structurally designed to hide abuses of power. In this regard, the show feels like a more grounded season of True Detective, albeit with a real-life case at the core of its story.
Unsettling, tragic, and thoughtful, Under The Banner Of Heaven is a must-watch for fans of true crime. However, viewers should be aware that the series is unflinching in its depiction of some seriously distressing content, which could be challenging for sensitive viewers. Still, Under The Banner Of Heaven is an important crime drama that earned its critical acclaim.
