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Garfield's Faith Crisis: A True Crime Binge
13 Feb
Summary
- True crime series 'Under the Banner of Heaven' now streaming on Prime.
- Based on real murders of a mother and daughter, with fictionalized elements.
- Series explores detective's faith crisis amidst an LDS family's spiral.
The acclaimed crime drama "Under the Banner of Heaven" is now available on Prime Video, marking its latest streaming destination after previous runs on Hulu and Disney+. The seven-part series, inspired by the real-life murders of Brenda Lafferty and her infant daughter, Erica, was initially chronicled in a 2003 book of the same name.
Despite its true-crime origins, the series incorporates fictionalized elements, as noted by law enforcement and the victims' relatives. The plot centers on a devout detective whose faith is challenged while investigating a murder connected to a prominent Utah family's descent into LDS fundamentalism and their distrust of governmental authority.
Created by Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, who drew from his own experiences growing up in a Mormon household, the show features a notable cast including Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones. The series has garnered significant viewer praise for its gripping narrative and strong performances, with many fans binge-watching the entire season within days.
Critically, the series received mixed reviews. While praised for its performances, some critics found it unwieldy and unfocused. Nevertheless, "Under the Banner of Heaven" maintains a high approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with its consensus acknowledging thoughtful introspection on personal faith despite an abundance of backstory.
