A New Lens on the Greatest Story Ever Told: A Review of The Chosen
For decades, the “Jesus movie” was a genre defined by its limitations. Often characterized by stilted dialogue, reverent but distant portrayals of the Messiah, and a “greatest hits” approach to the Gospels, these productions frequently struggled to bridge the gap between ancient scripture and modern cinematic storytelling. Then came The Chosen. What began as a record-breaking crowdfunding experiment has blossomed into a global phenomenon, fundamentally altering how we perceive the life of Christ and His followers through a lens that is both profoundly human and deeply theological.
Created, directed, and co-written by Dallas Jenkins, The Chosen (IMDb ID: 1341137) does something the church has often struggled to do: it invites us to sit in the dust and the mess of first-century Judea. It isn’t just a retelling; it’s a reimagining of the spaces between the verses, offering a multi-season narrative arc that allows the characters to breathe, struggle, and transform in real-time.
The Narrative: The People Behind the Parables
The brilliance of The Chosen lies in its narrative scaffolding. Rather than starting with a wide-angle lens on the ministry of Jesus, the show begins with the people who would eventually follow Him. We meet Mary Magdalene (Lilith) in the depths of her torment, Simon Peter drowning in tax debt and desperation, and Matthew—portrayed with a brilliant, neurodivergent nuance—isolated by his profession and his social standing.
By the time Jesus (played with magnetic warmth by Jonathan Roumie) appears on screen, the audience is already emotionally invested in the brokenness He has come to heal. The plot moves with a deliberate pace, favoring character development over rapid-fire miracle sequences. We see the logistics of travel, the friction between the disciples’ differing personalities, and the political pressure cooker of Roman-occupied Galilee. This slow-burn approach makes the iconic moments—the turning of water into wine, the healing of the leper, the conversation with Nicodemus—feel earned rather than merely checked off a list.
Theological Implications: The Scandal of the Incarnation
From a theological perspective, The Chosen excels in its exploration of “Incarnational Theology.” While many films emphasize the divinity of Christ to the point of making Him appear ghostly or untouchable, this series leans heavily into His humanity. We see a Jesus who cleans His own wounds, cracks jokes with His friends, rehearses His sermons, and experiences physical exhaustion.
This portrayal does not diminish His divinity; rather, it highlights the “scandal” of the Incarnation—the idea that the Creator of the universe took on vulnerable human flesh. The show grapples with several key themes:
- The Theology of the “Little One”: The series consistently highlights Jesus’ preference for the marginalized. Whether it’s children, tax collectors, or women with complicated pasts, the show emphasizes that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who recognize their own spiritual poverty.
- The Complexity of Grace: One of the most poignant themes is the “already but not yet” nature of the Gospel. The disciples are “chosen,” but they are not yet perfected. They still bicker, they still harbor prejudices, and they still misunderstand Jesus’ mission. This provides a mirror for the modern believer, reminding us that grace is a process, not just a moment.
- Artistic License vs. Scriptural Fidelity: The show famously opens with a disclaimer that it is not a replacement for Scripture. It uses “holy imagination” to fill in the gaps. For the theologically inclined, this invites a healthy dialogue: does a fictionalized backstory for Nicodemus or Peter enhance our understanding of the biblical text or distract from it? In most cases, The Chosen uses fiction to point back to the core truths of the Word.
The Worldview: A Kingdom of Reversal
The worldview of The Chosen is one of radical reversal. It pits the “way of the world”—represented by the crushing weight of the Roman Empire and the rigid legalism of certain religious factions—against the “way of the Kingdom.” The show masterfully depicts how Jesus’ message was a threat to the status quo not because He was a political revolutionary in the traditional sense, but because He redefined power as service and holiness as a matter of the heart rather than external ritual.
There is a refreshing lack of “preachiness” in the writing. The dialogue feels visceral and contemporary without being anachronistic. When Jesus tells Simon, “Get used to different,” it serves as a thesis statement for the entire series. The show challenges the viewer to reconsider their own preconceived notions of who is “in” and who is “out” in the eyes of God.
Final Verdict: Who Should Watch?
The Chosen is a rare piece of media that successfully navigates the tension between high-quality production values and sincere faith. It is a must-watch for several groups:
- The Devout: For those who know the Gospels by heart, the show offers a fresh perspective that can reignite a sense of wonder for familiar stories.
- The Skeptical: Because of its focus on character and historical context, the show is accessible to those who might be turned off by traditional “religious” programming.
- The Artist: Anyone interested in how to adapt ancient texts for a modern medium will find the cinematography, score, and acting (particularly Roumie and Elizabeth Tabish) to be top-tier.
In a landscape of cynical storytelling, The Chosen stands out as a beacon of hope and a masterclass in narrative empathy. It doesn’t just tell us that Jesus loved the world; it shows us what that love looked like in the dirt, the heat, and the complex hearts of those who first followed Him.