Under the Banner of Heaven

Under the Banner of Heaven is a 2022 American true crime drama limited series based on Jon Krakauer’s 2003 non-fiction book of the same name.

Under the Banner of Heaven is a 2022 American true crime drama limited series based on Jon Krakauer’s 2003 non-fiction book of the same name. It follows a detective investigating the murder of Brenda Wright Lafferty and her infant daughter, while examining the history and fundamentalist offshoots of Mormonism. The series stars Andrew Garfield and premiered on Hulu in April 2022.

Premise

The series centers on Detective Jeb Pyre as he investigates a brutal double murder in a seemingly quiet Utah suburb. The investigation leads him into the Lafferty family and wider questions about faith, authority, and religious fundamentalism.

Source material

Under the Banner of Heaven is adapted from Jon Krakauer’s 2003 non-fiction book. The book examines the Lafferty murders and the broader history of Mormon fundamentalism, providing context for the events depicted in the series.

Production and release

The series was created by Dustin Lance Black for FX and Hulu. It premiered in the United States on April 28, 2022, as a seven-episode limited series. The main cast includes Andrew Garfield, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sam Worthington, and Gil Birmingham.

Reception and themes

The series was noted for combining a murder mystery with a broader examination of religion and belief. Critics frequently described it as an ambitious true crime drama with religious and social themes, highlighting its exploration of fundamentalism and its impact on individuals and families.