Yes, there are some cringey scenes, but it's well done. To the folks alleging that the writer has no knowledge of Mormon culture, DLB literally grew up Mormon. In this exact time period. So I trust his vision. Facepalm, y'all. I'll defer judgment to the end of the series but who knows, it might end up being a worthy successor to Mare of Easttown. We'll have to see how the investigation unfolds. Thus far, the acting is strong (Billy Howle is great in this episode), the creepy vibes are real, and it's all very unsettling but in a way that I enjoyed.
12 Reviews
Very Good first episode
Mesina0226 August 2022
Crime thrillers are one of my favourite things to watch and when I heard about this show, I couldn't wait to get on this and for a first episode, this didn't disappoint. The brutality right from the start is something I didn't expect but honestly it was for the better. Showcasing this story and the horrific events that unfolded should be priority #1 and they do a good job at presenting this. So far it's very interesting and I hope it continues to be good.
I enjoy character driven mysteries
tomwins117 January 2023
This short series lives up to being a great mystery that is driven by well written characters. I am writing this after watching all the episodes. Some of the reviews say they have only watched one. To be honest about it, I took a long break after watching the second as it didn't grab me. But I came back to it when I was caught in 3 day rainstorm in the winter. I'm so glad I came back to it because it got better and better. The tension held on to the end without being too predictable.
The acting was incredible, and once I got into episode four I was hooked. I appreciated the insight into Mormon traditions and history. They are essential to the story. But the underlying facts could be said about most any fundamentalist ideology. That was important to me as I was raised in a Christian fundamentalist group (not Mormon) and saw the truths in how it played out. So if any license is taken while setting the story in LDS, it could be set in many ideologies where people lose sight of a broader perspective because they give themselves over to viewing everything through too narrow a field of view.
The acting was incredible, and once I got into episode four I was hooked. I appreciated the insight into Mormon traditions and history. They are essential to the story. But the underlying facts could be said about most any fundamentalist ideology. That was important to me as I was raised in a Christian fundamentalist group (not Mormon) and saw the truths in how it played out. So if any license is taken while setting the story in LDS, it could be set in many ideologies where people lose sight of a broader perspective because they give themselves over to viewing everything through too narrow a field of view.
Riveting Introductory Episode
aaaadwrfe28 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
First of all, Gil Birmingham is fantastic in a meaty, gritty role that he makes his own. He's a fish out of water in this Mormon environment and he stands his own in counterpoint to Andrew Garfield's character's religious anguish. This show has a wonderful cast. It's a religious environment with which I'm not familiar. The tension is palpable, the atmosphere mesmerizing and multilayered. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series.
Excellent. Serious Emmy Contender
soycuponera11 June 2022
You can tell this project was years in the making. The book was fantastic and not an easy feat to adapt to the small screen. Dustin Lance Black did an incredible job. Those that don't agree with how Mormonism is portrayed will probably give negative reviews, so judge for yourself and watch. Andrew Garfield and Wyatt Russell give some of the best performances of their career.
The Cinematography and Production Design are the best I've seen this year; bringing to life and immersing the audience in the unsettling world I imagined reading Krakauer Book.
The Cinematography and Production Design are the best I've seen this year; bringing to life and immersing the audience in the unsettling world I imagined reading Krakauer Book.
Hard to watch
sawznhamrs-122 May 2022
Stupid dialogue but interesting
kartchnerchad28 April 2022
Fairly interesting so far. Although whoever wrote this has never been around any mormon or been to Utah for more than three minutes before. This show seriously has the most goofy, unrealistic dialogue, and depiction of mormons. Other than that I'm very intrigued to see how they tell this complex multifaceted story. Also the calendar on the fridge of officer spider man is on June 1984 when this takes place in July 1984.
Intense? Yes. - Intriguing? No
MegaMaexn31 July 2022
I wanted to give this a go because of Andrew Garfield, who needless to say is an awesome actor, but the story here doesn't captivate me at all. It's all about the LDS/Mormon lifestyle, beliefs and intricacies that some may see as an interesting backstory, but I'm really not into it. I am neither interested in who the killer is, nor how he or she will be found out, it's just not different or captivating enough..
Handheld camera ... why!????
vanderkj16 May 2022
Contrived dialogue and performances makes for suffocating viewing
richiehodev26 September 2022
It's clear from the first episode that Andrew Garfield is the star of the series, and most viewers will be here for him. Gil Birmingham in his role as a detached and rational detective also shines as foil to Garfield's character's devout devotion to the LSD.
Much of the episode is meant to illustrate the devout devotion and often cult like fanaticism that surrounds the religious upbringing of the characters involved in the Mormon church. But much of what you see and hear are often contrived and border-line cringe worthy.
The accounts of Allen Lafferty as he's sitting in the cop holding room as he explains his reasoning for being found near the crime scene is nonsensical. When asked rational questions by Gil Birmingham's character, he goes on a diatribe against his church with a historical retelling of its teachings. This approach leaves a completely opposite effect on the viewers: not only are we even more confused with being fed all of this information, but we also could not care less about his motivations. Because we don't share the same perspective as these devout zealots. Add to that the theatrics surrounding the Lafferty family gathering, where family members prance and laugh around with whimsy, talking to each other in a way that no normal people in real life would. It's all very contrived and makes their presence very suffocating.
The religious treatment so far in this series feels very heavy handed and I'm having second thoughts with continuing.
Much of the episode is meant to illustrate the devout devotion and often cult like fanaticism that surrounds the religious upbringing of the characters involved in the Mormon church. But much of what you see and hear are often contrived and border-line cringe worthy.
The accounts of Allen Lafferty as he's sitting in the cop holding room as he explains his reasoning for being found near the crime scene is nonsensical. When asked rational questions by Gil Birmingham's character, he goes on a diatribe against his church with a historical retelling of its teachings. This approach leaves a completely opposite effect on the viewers: not only are we even more confused with being fed all of this information, but we also could not care less about his motivations. Because we don't share the same perspective as these devout zealots. Add to that the theatrics surrounding the Lafferty family gathering, where family members prance and laugh around with whimsy, talking to each other in a way that no normal people in real life would. It's all very contrived and makes their presence very suffocating.
The religious treatment so far in this series feels very heavy handed and I'm having second thoughts with continuing.
Poor attempt to link history to Lafferty murderers
brent-451721 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
First, the gratuitous nudity adds nothing to the movie or plot. It had no business in the show.
The flashbacks to historical events leads the viewer to believe that's either the killers' justification or that's what Latter-day Saints are taught. I didn't find that they added to the actual story. It should stick to telling the story of the murders and investigation without mudding the waters.
The flashbacks to historical events leads the viewer to believe that's either the killers' justification or that's what Latter-day Saints are taught. I didn't find that they added to the actual story. It should stick to telling the story of the murders and investigation without mudding the waters.
Tons of errors - lacks proper research.
shareenecline28 April 2022
This was not researched very well. Information that is common knowledge is incorrect. Such as BYU is not in Salt Lake. Quotes by Joseph Smith and misquoted scriptures, from the New Testament- KJV. I like accuracy if your going to base something on a true story. I know Hollywood likes creative writing, but sometimes the truth is better liberal creative writing. I will watch it to identify errors, with this many correctable mistakes, you have to say it's an untrue story.
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