Overview[]
The show's popularity began largely as an underground phenomenon, going unnoticed and unreviewed by major publications. Until it was added to Peacock in 2021, The Chosen was not available on any major cable network or streaming service, but it was still able to achieve more than 300 million streaming views in that time. The show has a significant and committed fan base that has raised a large portion of its funding through crowdsourcing. The success of its pay-it-forward viewing model has helped in ticket-sale records for its theatrical releases. The success of the series is attributed to artistic storytelling and cultural relevance, while staying true to the message of the gospels.[1] The creators credit the success of the series to a desire for quality faith-based content. The Economist noted that success of the show attests to the popularity and profitability of Christian entertainment, while highlighting how filmmakers of faith can circumvent the gatekeepers of Hollywood.[2]
In October 2023, Dallas Jenkins and the show's producers hosted "ChosenCon" in Dallas Texas. The convention for fans of the show included both in-person and live-streamed events, with 3500 tickets for in-person attendance sold out within 36 hours.[3] Jenkins announced during a livestream on April 21, 2024 that the second ChosenCon will be held in September 2024.[4]
Not all reception has been positive. The creators have received an array of criticisms, including the production's association with the LDS Church,[5] as well as accusations of injecting Mormon theology into the scripts.[6] Since as early as 2021, the show's director and creator, Dallas Jenkins, has refuted the claims in interviews and livestreams, stating that The Chosen has no Mormon influence in its writing, scripts, or theology and insists the show is "Conservative Evangelical".[7] Other criticism has been from pastors and viewers who believe the writers have taken artistic liberty too far with what is and isn't written in the Bible[8][2] as well as those who say the show violates the second of the Ten Commandments about creating images of God.[9]
Viewership[]
Producers estimate that the first 16 episodes had been viewed 312 million times as of November 2021. According to Sandy Padula, an independent consultant hired by the producers, over 108 million people globally had watched at least part of one episode of The Chosen as of November 2022. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the show has had 200 million viewers and 770 million episode views as of January 2024.
Reviews[]
While praising the show for its acting, direction, and speculative storytelling beyond typical Bible stories, The Atlantic's Chris DeVille has suggested that the show's popularity among Christians is due in part to scarcity of Christian entertainment. DeVille noted that the quality of most such entertainment is usually not at a level of Hollywood productions and that its success so far has arrived "not in spite of its insularity, but because of it", concluding that "for the most part, the series seems to be finding its fans among the converted".[10] In contrast, Texas Monthly stated that the show has the most mainstream crossover potential since Touched by an Angel.[11]
Reviewing the series for Vox, Aja Romano points out that while the cast is diverse, and that the production focuses on authenticity of first century Jewish culture, there are few actual Jewish actors in the ensemble.[12]
According to Peter Gray of The AU Review, watching the series will likely be enjoyed by audience members who are religious. In his review, he comments on the limits of a crowd-funded budget when it comes to the set, costumes, and quality of acting.[13]
Writing in Film Threat, Alan Ng called the series "smart and insightful to a contemporary audience". Ng points out that Jenkins has made a small budget project appear big, while also remaining authentic. He calls the acting "good to exceptional", something that is not all that common in faith-based films.[14] Other Christian commentators have also praised the series for its production value, noting that it raises the bar for other faith-based productions.
The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 100 percent of critics have given season 1 a positive review based on nine reviews, with an average rating of 7.80/10.
Covering the release of season 4 for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Patricia Holbrook wrote that the authenticity of the series "has made [her] realize how little [she] ever thought about the humanity of Jesus" and that "the series expands on known struggles that the disciples and other characters had, making us realize the impact of Jesus' presence and teaching on those who followed him".[15]
Awards and accolades[]
Dallas and Jonathan 2021 in K-LOVE Fan Awards.
| Year | Organization | Award | Result | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Movieguide Awards | Epiphany Prize (season 1 episode 8) | Nominated | [16] |
| 2020 | Movieguide Awards | Grace Prize (Jonathan Roumie) | Nominated | [16] |
| 2021 | K-Love Fan Awards | Film & Television Impact | Won | [17] |
| 2022 | GMA Dove Awards | Inspirational Film of the Year | Won | [18][19] |
| 2022 | Movieguide Awards | Epiphany Prize: Movie (Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers) | Nominated | [20] |
| 2022 | Movieguide Awards | Epiphany Prize: Television (season 2, episode 8) | Nominated | [20] |
| 2022 | Movieguide Awards | Grace Prize (Jonathan Roumie | Nominated | [20] |
| 2022 | Museum of the Bible | Pillar Award | Won | [21] |
| 2023 | K-Love Fan Awards | Film & Television Impact | Won | [22] |
| 2023 | GMA Dove Awards | Television Series of the Year | Won | [23] |
| 2023 | Movieguide Awards | Epiphany Prize (season 3, episode 1 & 2) | Won | [24] |
| 2023 | Movieguide Awards | Grace Prize (Jonathan Roumie) | Nominated | [25] |
| 2023 | Movieguide Awards | Best Television for Families | Nominated | [25] |
References[]
- ↑ Carpenter, Chris. Authenticity of Scripture Paramount to 'The Chosen's' Success.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A television show about Jesus Christ has become an unlikely hit (February 8, 2023).
- ↑ Ashford, Joy (2023-10-12). Move aside, ComicCon: ChosenCon is coming to Dallas (en).
- ↑ Seariac, Hanna (2024-04-22). We finally have a streaming release timeline for ‘The Chosen’ Season 4 (en).
- ↑ Toone, Trent (April 29, 2022). The rumor involving Latter-day Saints that producers of 'The Chosen' want to squash.
- ↑ Noyce, David (October 27, 2022). Latest from Mormon Land: Big money LDS superstar delivers big hit; ‘The Chosen’ gets some pushback (en-US).
- ↑ Foust, Michael. Dallas Jenkins Talks Mormon, LGBT Controversies: The Chosen 'Is Conservative Evangelical' (en).
- ↑ Duin, Julia (April 15, 2022). How Pop Culture and Makers of "The Chosen" Help Define Jesus' Life. “Although The Chosen has been successful to date, its producers have had to deal with long-standing distrust from evangelical Christians who tend to look down on any kind of poetic license with the Scriptures.”
- ↑ Author, preacher Voddie Baucham says he won't watch 'The Chosen,' cites Second Commandment (en) (12 August 2023).
- ↑ Christian America's Must-See TV Show. The Atlantic (June 27, 2021).
- ↑ February 2022 6, Sean O'Neal (December 8, 2021). 'The Chosen' Is Christian TV That Even Heretics Can Get Behind.
- ↑ Romano, Aja (August 2, 2023). The Chosen, the Christian megahit about Jesus, explained.
- ↑ Gray, Peter (April 15, 2020). TV Review: The Chosen is a faith-based series that deepens with interest the further it goes along.
- ↑ Ng, Alan (April 11, 2020). The Chosen [review].
- ↑ Holbrook, Patricia (January 26, 2024). Season 4 of "The Chosen" does not disappoint (English). The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 'The Chosen' Earns 2 Movieguide Award Nominations (January 13, 2020).
- ↑ 2021 K-Love Fan Awards: Film & Television Impact Nominees.
- ↑ 2022 Winners The 53rd Annual GMA Dove Awards.
- ↑ Griffin, David. Watch: 'The Chosen' Producer Discusses Funding For The Series.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 2022 Movieguide Award Nominations.
- ↑ St. Cyr, Sylvia (November 5, 2022). Museum of the Bible gives 'The Chosen' prestigious Pillar award.
- ↑ Williams, Lindsay (June 3, 2023). All Things 10th Annual K-Love Fan Awards: Recap, Winners, Performances & More (en).
- ↑ 2023 GMA Dove Award Winners (en).
- ↑ 2023 Movieguide Award Winners.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 2023 Movieguide Award Nominations.