Netflix’s 6-Part Supernatural Fantasy Is A Perfect Limited Series

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Even though Netflix’s The Chosen One was cancelled after just one season, it was a fantastic adaptation of Mark Millar’s comic book. With so many streaming options and a constant stream of new shows, it’s easy for quality programs to get overlooked.

A major issue in today’s entertainment industry is that while many promising shows are initially approved, they often get canceled too quickly to really connect with an audience. For example, while Apple TV’s suspenseful series Servant ran for four seasons, Netflix’s The Midnight Club, intended as a successor to Stranger Things, was cut short after only one.

Some TV shows are designed to tell a complete story in just one season, even if that story is complex. A great example is 2023’s The Chosen One, which was based on the comic American Jesus. While it didn’t stay in the public conversation for long after it came out, critics praised the show, proving it was a standout in its genre.

The Chosen One Is A Dark Religious Fantasy

Premiering in August 2023, The Chosen One is a coming-of-age story about Jodie, a twelve-year-old boy from a small town. As he approaches puberty, Jodie begins to display powers similar to those attributed to Jesus Christ. After miraculously surviving a near-fatal truck accident, the people in his town start to believe he’s been blessed or is somehow holy.

But when he begins demonstrating truly remarkable abilities, such as resurrecting the dead, it’s obvious something huge is unfolding in Jodie’s quiet town. The show suggests Jodie is a modern-day Christ figure, possessing the same miraculous powers attributed to Jesus in the Bible.

Despite initially seeming like a typical hero’s journey, the ending of The Chosen One subverts expectations. The show generally avoids the over-the-top, often crude humor seen in other adaptations of Mark Millar’s comics, like Kick-Ass and Wanted. Because of this, the show’s surprising and dark conclusion has a much greater impact than it would in a more lighthearted series.

The Chosen One Improved On Mark Millar’s Comic

Similar to Kick-Ass and Logan, The Chosen One significantly enhanced its original comic book source material. The show, based on Mark Millar’s 2004 comic American Jesus, moved away from overly exaggerated elements and focused on the emotional depth of the characters, creating a more nuanced and compelling portrayal of Jodie.

Unlike his comic book version, who isn’t very well developed, Jodie feels like a real person struggling with difficult emotions in The Chosen One. He’s understandably drawn to the idea that his incredible abilities mean he’s meant for something special, especially since the townspeople are so impressed. However, he also understands why some people are afraid of what he can do.

Even though the townspeople are narrow-minded, Jodie is rightly disturbed that someone could bring a dead friend back to life, particularly when that friend’s personality changes completely. This leads Jodie to wonder if this person’s powers are truly good, ultimately building to a shocking conclusion for the series.

When The Chosen One launched, it faced tough competition from Prime Video’s Good Omens, which had been eagerly anticipated. While both shows shared some thematic similarities, Good Omens boasted a more famous cast and a noticeably lighter, more comedic approach. The Chosen One combined suspenseful thriller elements with supernatural horror, whereas Good Omens was a wide-ranging and humorous parody.

Even if you’ve seen other adaptations of this story, The Chosen One is still worth checking out, especially if you missed them. The show takes its time building suspense, and as the series progresses, Jodie’s situation becomes increasingly bizarre and unsettling. By the end, the surprising conclusion feels almost like a welcome resolution.

The Chosen One Season 2 Is Unlikely To Happen

I was really captivated by The Chosen One, and while it’s sad it won’t be back for another season, I honestly think that’s okay. It reminds me of Homecoming on Apple TV – sometimes a single, perfectly crafted season is all a show needs to become truly memorable. The Chosen One told a complete story, and the ending was so clever and conclusive that it naturally brings things to a close. Trying to continue it wouldn’t have served the story at all, and I appreciate that they knew when to stop.

It’s right that Jodie’s story ends here. As many horror franchises show, continuing after such a big reveal would likely be a letdown. The show’s creators made a smart choice by finishing with that shocking twist, which changes how you see everything that happened and makes the story much more unsettling when you think back on it.

Despite being canceled after just one season, The Chosen One made a strong impression as a unique and inventive supernatural fantasy, finishing with a brilliant conclusion. By remaining a single, complete story, the Netflix series avoided the pitfall of many similar shows and didn’t risk ruining its excellent start with an unnecessary continuation.

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2026-02-10 20:52