I haven't been terribly happy with the recent series on Netflix. As I wrote about "Cursed" a few days ago, even the large budget productions have been a bit disappointing and series that I previously enjoyed such as "Ozark" and "The Sinner" are fizzling out and becoming boring after a few seasons.
"Messiah" is like nothing I have ever seen on Netflix, or really anywhere else for that matter. It can be considered a "slow burner" at first, but as the season carries on things get moving and by the end of it this is one of the only series out there that had me itching for the next season which I would watch immediately if it were available.
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The overall plot should be evident based simply on the title of the series, but it isn't just the fact that this person who rises to global fame through his actions and apparent miracles, but the fact that he isn't attached to any particular religion either. Al-Masih never claims to be the Messiah, nor does he try to lure anyone into following him, it just kind of happens as he travels from place to place in an objective that no one really seems to understand.
The series involves a vast landscape of multiple countries and religions, and while it is religious in scope (for now) it doesn't take a "this religion is correct" approach at all. I would imagine this was a very dangerous mission for the creators to attempt since so many religions around the world are extremely sensitive about anyone interpreting theirs.
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One really interesting way in which the story is told is that it takes place in multiple places all at once. It is in Israel, The United States, and various places in the Middle East all at once. You kind of need to stay on your toes to follow what is going on as these various pieces of the puzzle do not seem inter-connected until around the last 2 episodes.
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Al-Masih is able to gather a tremendous amount of followers as he seems to be capable of traveling around the world without a trace, he doesn't not fly on traceable commercial airlines or anything like that, but just seems to appear where he wants to. This attracts the attention of the CIA, who of course are always concerned about anything, even the potential son of God, from interfering with their control on the planet (my words, not the explicit narrative of the series.) Therefore, they are dead-set on figuring this man out, and of course attempting to figure out who is behind it and discredit him.
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The fact that his "miracles" can not be explained by anyone doesn't seem to sway the CIA away from their objective of capturing him, which is kind of funny and well, probably would be true if this were a real-world thing.
I don't want to spoil any of the ins and outs of this series because it is really a step above most of the series (especially the dramas) that exist on Netflix at the moment, especially the newer releases. It is really in a category all its own.
That trailer does make the series seem more "intense" than it really is because like I said before this is more of a slow burn than it is a wild ride but trust me when I say that it is truly captivating and keeps you guessing around every turn. You are always in the dark about whether or not this is real, or if he is an exceptional con-man with extremely good connections.
Should I watch it?
Well, if my accolades were not evident enough already I will come straight out and say that "yes" you should. At the moment, it has a negative rating on Rotten Tomatoes that I do not understand. While the story does take a long time to get moving, by the time the 10 episodes are finished you find that you are still thinking about what you have witnessed long after it is over. Therein probably lies the problem for many people as the story doesn't actually come together until the last 2 hours. Have patience! This one is worth the wait.
