REVIEW: ‘The Chosen One’ Falls A Little Short

The Chosen One is the latest on-screen adaptation from the mind of comic-book writer Mark Millar, whose Millarvworld on Netflix has had live-action and animation successes alike. The Chosen One draws from Millar’s collaboration with Peter Gross on the American Jesus comic book series. The Netflix original series is produced and directed by Everado Gout. The main cast includes Bobby Luhnow, Dianna Argon, Juanito Anguamea, Tenoch Huerta, Alberto Pérez-Jácome Kenna, and Jorge Javier Arballo Osornio. 

The series centers on Jodie, who was rescued by his mother to escape their violent attacker from a shady motel. Jodie’s mother, Sarah, flees to the border, and miraculously, Fast-forward a decade to 1999, we find Jodie spending his days avoiding bullies, navigating crushes, and enjoying the company of his group of friends. Jodie suffers from strange dreams and visions while taking pills to treat a supposed disease, but in truth, they suppress his latent powers. He remains unaware of his Christ-like gifts until, one day, a tragic accident awakens his powers. 

Miraculously Joedie survives the accident without a scratch. Astonished, many townsfolk gradually begin to see Jodie as the “miracle boy.” Jodie and his friends use this to their advantage to make a few quick bucks by having Jodie perform fake miracles in front of a crowd. However, Jodie’s natural powers manifest, and his blessings become real. Word of Jodie’s powers attracts the attention of Pastor Cruz, who left the Catholic church to establish his congregation. 

As the series unfolds, new individuals emerge, expressing either a desire to join Jodie’s following or scrutinize his abilities’ authenticity. Alongside his supernatural voyage of self-discovery and ascent to stardom, Jodie endeavors to lead the life of an ordinary teenage boy, yearning to unearth the truth about his identity, extraordinary gifts, and the enigma of his paternity. Regrettably, as his awareness of his capabilities deepens, Jodie transforms. He succumbs to the lure of using his powers for personal gain, alienating his mother and friends. The climax occurs as the season nears its conclusion, unveiling specific answers while simultaneously unveiling more profound enigmas. Amidst this whirlwind, one fact remains certain: Jodie’s expedition has merely embarked upon its initial phase.

The Chosen One veers away from Millar’s typical superhero themes, shifting its focus to a young boy named Jodie. The adaptation also differs from the source material by changing the setting from the United States to Mexico. Shifting the location to Mexico allowed the show to explore more culturally diverse perspectives on religion and tradition. For example, Tuka, one of Jodie’s best friends, is of Yaqui heritage and holds his Indigenous and Catholic beliefs. Tuka’s multifaceted perspective serves as a lens through which the series examines the fusion and interaction of diverse belief systems.

Based on the premise, The Chosen One initially feels it should be the love child of Stranger Things and Stephen King’s Stand by Me. The show attempts to balance a narrative with supernatural intrigue, spirituality, and religion, wrapped inside a coming-of-age story. In some ways, it manages to do that successfully; in others, it struggles. For example, a show about a 13-year-old boy discovering he has Christ-like powers would lean into the supernatural aspects more. That is what I thought, given the show’s premise, but I was proven wrong. 

The show takes a while to build up to the supernatural elements in the earlier episodes. The narrative pacing occasionally detracts from the buildup of magical feats and overall mystery. While intended to cultivate a sense of mystery, gradually introducing these elements sometimes hampers the overall momentum. For instance, as Jodie experiences visions and enlightenments about his powers, the lack of explanation can make scenes feel disjointed and less engaging.

Thankfully, by the end of the fourth or fifth episode, it becomes clear that The Chosen One is fully leaning into the series’ supernatural elements. The final episode of the season sets the stage for more to come next season, as some huge reveals and more mysteries will leave audiences asking more questions. 

Incorporating a more comprehensive and consistent infusion of supernatural elements would have elevated the show to a higher level of engagement. Allowing the supernatural facets to play a more significant role in unfolding the mystery to help captivate audiences with a more compelling supernatural story.

In terms of performances, most of the cast delivers captivating portrayals that intricately weave relationships throughout the inaugural season. Notably, Bobby Luhnow, Jorge Javier Arballo Osornio, and Lilith Amelie Siordia Mejia exhibit remarkable chemistry, seamlessly playing off one another. Their synergy is particularly impressive, forming a dynamic core for the series. 

It would have been great to see Lilith Amelie Siordia Mejia’s character, Magda, explored in greater depth, affording her a fully fleshed-out character arc. While Magda isn’t the central focus of the series, her character arc and grieving over her brother’s disappearance had a lot of potential had more time been dedicated. 

Dianna Agron’s portrayal of Sarah, Jodie’s mother, deserves special mention for showcasing her acting finesse. Agron masterfully embodies the essence of resilience amidst Jodie’s resistance against their unconventional lifestyle. Agron expertly captures the multifaceted nature of her character. Although Sarah is a strong and capable woman, she also struggles with her desire to protect her child in the face of extraordinary circumstances.

Audiences familiar with the story of Jesus Christ will recognize how Jodie’s journey in The Chosen One mirrors parts of Jesus’ story. For example, throughout the show, Jodie wanders the desert for several days, similar to how Jesus wanders the desert for forty days. Another example is how Jodie’s friends Magda, Hipólito, Tuka, and Wagner represent Jesus’ disciples like Peter Thomas, Mary Magdalen, and John the Baptist. 

The show’s biblical and religious elements are touched on. The show overall does not feel like a piece of evangelized Christian or Catholic propaganda. As much as the show references Catholicism, it also acknowledges other forms of spirituality without dismissing it as one being right over the other. I implore audiences to watch this show in the original Spanish. The voice acting in the English dubbed version does not deliver the dialogue with the same impact as the original Spanish version. Toggling between both versions throughout my watch of the series, and the delivery for most of the dialogue had a different gravitas than it did in Spanish. 

The Chosen One’s biggest problem is that it is trying extremely hard to be mysterious and grounded and it downplays itself and its supernatural premise. Patience is needed to get through this series, even if the latter half of the season keeps you engaged with the story and wanting more. Thankfully, the pay-off at the season finale sets the stage for a more engaging epic tale to continue.

The Chosen One is available exclusively on Netflix.