Jesus Christ’s crucifixion is inevitable in The Chosen – but how brutal should it be? Well, fans are divided on how graphic the event should be shown.
Dallas Jenkins’ series began with Jesus’ birth in ‘The Shepherd’, a 2017 proof-of-concept pilot that led to an extraordinary crowdfunding campaign that made the show possible.
It follows the life and teachings of Jesus, mostly from the perspective of his disciples. Several crucial, worldwide-known events have already been adapted, like the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on water – but as we all know, he’s destined to bear his cross.
The Chosen is planned to run for seven seasons, with the crucifixion set to be shown in the sixth. When it comes, should it be horrifically gory – or could the show find a different approach?
The Chosen fans divided by brutality of Jesus’ crucifixion
On The Chosen subreddit, u/PJRama1864 wrote: “I honestly hope they don’t shy away from how badly Jesus was tortured. I’m not expecting Passion of the Christ levels of gruesomeness, but I’m hoping it is harsh enough to show what Jesus really went through to save us.”
Some suspect they’ll focus on the reactions of Jesus’ disciples and the surrounding people. “I dunno how much they’re going to show vs showing it through the eyes of the apostles. I think the latter. The reactions will be brutal,” one wrote.
“I would have to assume there will be enough to be heartbreaking but not so much that you couldn’t watch this with children. The show writers have humanized Jesus and his disciples to a degree that they don’t have to go over the top with violence for the audience to empathize with the character,” another commented.
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While apprehension about it being as harrowing as Mel Gibson’s ultra-violent The Passion of the Christ is understandable, fans aren’t expecting it to be as graphic. “There’s no reason for The Chosen to be as graphic as The Passion of the Christ… because it’s already been done,” one wrote.
“The focus of this show is more on the disciples, and so the crucifixion will probably be seen more through their eyes. The Chosen isn’t a ‘kids’ show’, but the creators know kids watch it, so we’ll get a crucifixion that is more emotionally devastating rather than bloody and gory.”
However, another commented: “Hard to imagine how the flogging could be anything less than bloody considering the tool the Romans used, let alone putting stakes through the wrists and heels.
“I do agree, though. Passion of the Christ is never going to be the level The Chosen tries to hit. Still, the emotions being too much of a focus would be a mistake. The emotions risk losing their weight when what He suffers is glossed over.”
The Chosen Season 4 is finally nearing the end of its successful theatrical run, and fans believe they know when it’ll come to streaming.
