Unchosen - First episode

In Unchosen, Rosie struggles with her faith and life in the strict sect where she lives. This feeling intensifies when a mysterious outsider with a dubious past enters her life.

Sects have been around for a long time. Globally, they keep groups of people in their grip. This is also true in the United Kingdom, where the new Netflix series Unchosen is set. In a fictional sect, young mother Rosie (Molly Windsor) struggles with her faith after an accident involving her daughter. However, in her community, there is no room for doubt. She must adhere to their laws, teachings, and rules. The temptation for another life grows stronger when she meets a mysterious stranger.

Little by little, we see how the cult keeps its members in its grip.

During a celebration, Grace (Olivia Pickering), the daughter of Rosie and Adam (Asa Butterfield), goes missing. The girl is hearing impaired and somewhat naive due to her upbringing. This leads her into a dangerous situation. Against the rules, which state that only the men may participate in the search, Rosie decides to look for her daughter. She eventually finds her at the moment she's being rescued by a man she doesn't know (Fra Fee).

The style of Unchosen initially reminds one of The Handmaid's Tale. The women who are subordinate to the men, the strict faith that is practiced, it's something we've seen before. Yet, the series immediately captivated me. The storytelling draws you into the narrative right away. Everything takes place in the present, which becomes evident, for example, when the characters visit a hospital. The whole thing feels realistic, making it all the more impactful.

Rosie's independent search for her daughter is not appreciated. Bit by bit, we see how the sect holds its members in its grip. At the head of the organization are Mr. (Christopher Eccleston) and Mrs. Phillips (Siobhan Finneran), who keep a close watch on everything and everyone. The rules are strict, even for the men. This is something Adam's brother, Isaac (Aston McAuley), also experiences firsthand.

The unknown stranger keeps an eye on Rosie after he saved her daughter. He eventually reaches out again when her husband is not home. Rosie is unsure how to handle this. According to the rules, she is not allowed to have contact with him, as he is an 'unchosen'. However, she feels indebted to him since he saved her daughter. Additionally, she finds him intriguing, wants to learn more about him, and feels attracted to him.

At the moment, it could go either way, but my first impression is positive.

The first episode of Unchosen is a strong start to the story. We get to know the characters, get a glimpse of how the sect operates, and the ending reveals more about the mysterious man who turns out to be named Sam. A preview shows that Rosie continues to struggle with her faith, her relationship with her husband, and her connection with Sam. We will also learn more about Sam's background, which is a good teaser for what's to come.

I am curious about the rest of this six-episode story. The characters are believable so far, and although the story is somewhat familiar, I am eager to see how it unfolds. I hope the rest of the season won't be too predictable, that there will be good surprises, and that they can maintain this level. At this point, it could go in any direction, but my first impression is positive.