Netflix's latest cult thriller, Unchosen, has soared to the number one position on UK Netflix with 10.4 million views, boasting a star-studded cast including Asa Butterfield and Christopher Eccleston. Despite its impressive statistics, the series has struggled to generate significant buzz and leaves viewers feeling flat.
A Predictable Plot
The six-part series unfolds within the clandestine world of a British religious cult where men dominate their wives, and punishment for breaking rules is immediate and savage. When young Rosie (Molly Windsor), wife of cult elder Adam (Asa Butterfield), encounters escaped prisoner Sam (Fra Fee), a passionate love affair intertwines with crime thriller and psychological drama. However, apart from one unexpected revelation, the storyline is largely foreseeable. Once the twist emerges, everything unfolds as predicted.
Strong Performances, Weak Script
The genuine strength of this series lies in the acting. Asa Butterfield assumes the role of a quietly menacing cult elder, battling to maintain control as his world crumbles. It is a far cry from his earlier role as the endearing Otis in Sex Education. Christopher Eccleston, as cult leader Mr Phillips, is equally chilling, portraying a patriarchal yet savage figure burdened by preserving his way of life.
Despite the compelling premise—a quasi love triangle between a convict and two cult members, religious trauma, murder, and lust—the show falls into the classic Netflix trap: a straightforward story that could have been told in an hour and a half instead consumes an entire evening. While enjoyable and watchable, it could have been considerably tighter.
Predictable Dialogue and Abandoned Storytelling
Some dialogue is rather predictable, with lines explicitly spelling out characters' motivations and next moves, as if written for viewers scrolling through their phones. The age-old theory of 'show, don't tell' has been abandoned. The series finale leaves more questions than answers, but not in a satisfying, thought-provoking manner. Instead, it feels as though the show was abruptly cut short before characters truly revealed themselves.
All things considered, Unchosen makes for a decent evening's entertainment but certainly will not be getting a rewatch.
