Why THE CHOSEN Reaches Secular Audiences: ‘Brings Hope’

Published: February 5, 2024

Why THE CHOSEN Reaches Secular Audiences: ‘Brings Hope’

By Movieguide® Contributor

THE CHOSEN president, Brad Pelo, revealed that at least half of the show’s audience isn’t Christian.

“THE CHOSEN has become its own kind of cultural phenomena, it almost feels like a movement — and I don’t mean that in a religious sense, I mean that in a kind of cultural sense,” Pelo told The Hollywood Reporter. “We just had an audience study done that shows us that barely half of our audience are practicing Christians. So, the other half are simply a secular audience that has found a historical drama with heart.”

“That’s exactly what we’re creating: a historical drama with heart that brings hope, and we see ourselves in the characters that are being portrayed,” he continued. “Obviously, none of us see ourselves as Jesus, and that’s not the purpose of the show. It’s to tell the stories of the people around.”

THE CHOSEN Season 4 just began its theatrical run last week, with episodes 1-3 available on the big screen now through Feb. 14.

Part of Movieguide®’s review for episode 1 reads:

THE CHOSEN SEASON 4: Episode 1 is part of a theatrical release of the first three episodes of Season 4 of the crowd-funded show about Jesus. The episode begins with a young Mary, Jesus’ mother, visiting her cousin, Elizabeth, who’s now pregnant with John the Baptist. The visit affirms Mary’s visitation from the angel Gabriel and about Jesus’ destiny but also stresses the role John will play in preparing the way for Jesus as the Messiah. Then, the episode fast forwards to the night when King Herod’s daughter traps the King into beheading John.THE CHOSEN SEASON 4: Episode 1 is riddled with different subplot points such as the funding of the ministry. The episode brings more seriousness to the program by foreshadowing what’s to come for Jesus and His disciples. However, there are too many characters and plot points. That said, Episode 1 artistically expounds on the characters in an uplifting, Christ-centered, sometimes heartrending way. It champions the Bible, Jesus and the cost of following Him. THE CHOSEN SEASON 4: Episode 1 is an inspiring, faith-filled program for the family.

“This season demanded it,” director and creator Dallas Jenkins explained of the theatrical release. “You know, we were the first television show to ever kind of debut in theaters. And it’s certainly an entire season. But that’s not the reason. We’re not doing it just to be different. This is a show that’s on a bigger scale. This season is on a bigger scale.”

He added that as the setting, sets and emotions get “bigger,” “we want you to be immersed in it on a big screen with the surround sound.”

“This is something I think you should see with others if you can,” he added. “And of course, if you can’t, the show’s eventually going to be free and available everywhere on streaming and in your home. But I really strongly encourage people to see it in groups, to see it with other viewers on a big screen.”

Movieguide® recently reported on THE CHOSEN Season 4 premiere:

“For the first time ever, the full season of a streaming-TV show will be released exclusively in theaters, distributed by Fathom Events,” a press release about the show stated.

Fans of THE CHOSEN were able to view the premiere and finale of Season 3 in theaters.

“Every time we’ve dipped our toes in the theatrical waters, viewers have overwhelmingly told us they want more,” creator and director Dallas Jenkins explained in the statement. “After seeing the Season 4 episodes, we knew we’d be doing our fans a disservice if we denied them the chance to see them all on a big screen with others they can laugh and cry with.”

Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events, added, “We are thrilled to collaborate again with THE CHOSEN team to bring fans the entire fourth season to cinemas before it is available elsewhere. It is a testament to the big screen’s power to unite people and have them share in this communal experience.”