Andrew Garfield’s 7-Part True Crime Thriller Series Is The Perfect Weekend One-Night Weekend Binge

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Even though Under the Banner of Heaven can be a difficult series to watch, it’s absolutely worth your time, largely due to Andrew Garfield’s incredible performance. There’s a huge amount of true-crime content available these days, with almost every streaming service offering several popular shows in the genre.

I’ve seen a lot of great true crime shows lately – everything from Netflix’s Mindhunter to Hulu’s Murdaugh: A Death in the Family. But even with so many options, Hulu’s Under The Banner Of Heaven from 2022 really grabbed me. It felt like a standout example of just how compelling this genre can be.

Under The Banner Of Heaven’s Gripping True-Crime Story Is Unmissable

The miniseries Under the Banner of Heaven stars Andrew Garfield as Jeb Pyre, a detective from East Rockwell, Utah. The show is based on Jon Krakauer’s 2003 book of the same name and follows Pyre as he investigates the shocking murder of a Mormon woman and her child. As he digs deeper, Pyre discovers connections between the crime and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Featuring strong performances from Adelaide Clemens, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Rory Culkin, Under The Banner Of Heaven is a captivating mystery that also fearlessly examines the misuse of authority within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Unlike the more hopeful depiction of Mormon women in 2024’s Heretic, this miniseries takes a more critical approach.

Garfield delivers a standout performance as Pyre, a detective grappling with a conflict between his beliefs as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his responsibilities as a police officer. A troubling murder forms the core of the series and brings scrutiny to the often-debated church, but the show avoids simple condemnation, offering a more nuanced portrayal.

Under The Banner Of Heaven Is A Tough Watch Even For True-Crime Fans

Rather than focusing on individual beliefs, Under The Banner Of Heaven examines how organized religion functions and how its systems can unintentionally protect those who abuse their power. It feels similar to a realistic season of True Detective, but is based on a true crime story.

As a true crime enthusiast, I was completely gripped by Under The Banner Of Heaven. It’s a really powerful and thought-provoking series, but I have to warn you, it doesn’t shy away from some incredibly disturbing material. It’s definitely not an easy watch, and some scenes might be upsetting. However, despite being difficult at times, it’s a truly important drama and I completely understand why it’s been so critically praised.

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2026-03-20 18:38