Under The Banner Of Heaven: The Underrated True Crime Series On Hulu

by

Hulu’s crime drama, Under the Banner of Heaven, doesn’t get the attention it deserves. The true crime genre is always popular, with shows covering everything from financial crimes, like WeWork, to the rise and fall of international drug cartels, as seen in Narcos. It’s a consistently compelling area for television.

Hulu and Netflix are the dominant forces when it comes to true-crime series. Shows like The Dropout, The Act, and American Crime Story have been both critically acclaimed and popular. While Under the Banner of Heaven received positive reviews (an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), it didn’t quite capture the public’s attention in the same way.

Under The Banner Of Heaven Is A Disturbing Story Of Murder And The Mormon Church

The series Under the Banner of Heaven is inspired by Jon Krakauer’s 2003 book of the same name. Krakauer is also known for his books Into the Wild and Into Thin Air. The show dramatizes the true story of brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty, who were accused of murdering Ron’s sister-in-law and her baby daughter in Utah in 1984.

Andrew Garfield plays Detective Jeb Pyre, a detective who is also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He starts to believe a series of violent murders are linked to the Church. The show also tells the story of how the Mormon Church began in the early 1800s, and explores some of the troubling parts of its history.

This series is incredibly well-paced, skillfully blending a compelling and sometimes disturbing story about polygamy, control, and gender inequality with a gripping investigation that will keep you hooked until the very end. Rob Garfield delivers a standout performance as a former devout Mormon whose faith is shaken as the case unfolds.

The TV Series Differs From The Novel In Some Key Ways

Because Jon Krakauer’s book is based on true events, and the Hulu series is a fictionalized version of the story, some details differ between the two. The show adds dramatic touches – for example, a letter Brenda writes to Diana the day she dies doesn’t appear in the book.

The show sometimes changes the order of events. For example, Ron’s attempt on Dan’s life happens right before their arrest on TV, but in reality, it occurred while Ron was already in jail. However, some changes are more significant, like the addition of the character Jeb Pyre.

Detective Pyre is a completely fictional character, not based on any single real person or a combination of individuals. Jon Krakauer’s book isn’t told from the perspective of the police. However, Pyre’s personal struggle with his beliefs is an important part of the story and highlights a key message of Under the Banner of Heaven.

Read More

2025-10-25 23:20