Unchosen: A Glimpse into the Fellowship of the Divine
Netflix has a knack for diving into the darker corners of human belief and control, and their latest drama, Unchosen, is no exception. Set within the isolated world of a Christian splinter sect known as the Fellowship of the Divine, the series attempts to explore the tension between faith, patriarchal control, and the forbidden allure of the modern world.
On the surface, the Fellowship presents itself as a sanctuary of grace and harmony. Men and women share domestic burdens, living simply according to a strict interpretation of peace and love. However, as the title suggests, there is a sharp divide between those inside the fold and the “unchosen”—the rest of society, viewed as a source of spiritual decay.
A Powerhouse Cast in a Rigid World
One of the most striking aspects of Unchosen is its casting. The series boasts an impressive lineup that almost makes you overlook the script’s shortcomings:
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- Christopher Eccleston: As Mr. Phillips, the cult leader, Eccleston is terrifyingly convincing. His portrayal of a charismatic yet controlling patriarch is a masterclass in tension.
- Siobhan Finneran: Playing Mrs. Phillips, Finneran brings a complex energy to the screen, oscillating between a stern authority figure and a woman harboring a deep, secret sorrow.
- Asa Butterfield: Adds a layer of unsettling tension as Adam, a man whose loyalty to the sect masks a darker, more coercive nature.
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Plot Twists and “Pipelines of Pornography”
The drama ignites when a moment of crisis shatters the sect’s fragile peace. During a thunderstorm, a deaf child named Grace wanders into the woods. In an act of desperation and disobedience, her mother, Rosie (Molly Windsor), defies the leadership to save her daughter. The rescue comes from an unexpected source: a mysterious stranger named Sam (Fra Fee), whose arrival sparks forbidden desires and stirs the dormant curiosity of the community.
The conflict escalates when technology—which Mr. Phillips describes as “pipelines of pornography and sewage to our souls”—makes a surprise appearance. The discovery of a smartphone leads to betrayal, shunning, and a desperate struggle for power within the group.
The Verdict: Is It Worth Your Time?
While Unchosen provides a visually interesting setting and stellar performances, it struggles to break new ground. The writing often feels “by-the-numbers,” relying on familiar cult tropes rather than offering a fresh perspective on the genre. The characters sometimes feel more like chess pieces moving toward a predictable conclusion than living, breathing people.
That being said, if you are a fan of psychological dramas or want to see Christopher Eccleston at his most commanding, it is an entertaining enough way to spend a few hours. It isn’t a groundbreaking masterpiece, but it is a polished piece of streaming fare.
You can stream Unchosen directly on Netflix. For those interested in the psychology of high-control groups, exploring resources like the IMDb database for similar cult-themed dramas can provide a great comparison to see how Unchosen stacks up against the greats.
