The Chosen has been one of the most successful shows of the decade. Unlike the cheap, poorly acted projects about Jesus of the past, it's received stellar marks from both Christian viewers and non-religious critics. The show's unusual model - which includes crowdfunding, free online viewing and licensing to major streaming services - has made it an anomaly in this era, when shows often disappear on their own studio's services. Fans of this show really love it.
In the past few years, producers have experimented with theatrical events, especially around major religious holidays like Christmas and Easter. It's paid off so well that the entirety of Season 4 will premiere in theaters before hitting a variety of streamers. Throughout February, episode blocks will debut in theaters across the country, once again through Fathom Events. After that, the show will hit The Chosen app, numerous streaming services, and eventually the CW. Don't be surprised when these put up big numbers at the box office.
The first three episodes of The Chosen arrive in theaters on February 1.
About Kip Mooney
Like many film critics born during and after the 1980s, my hero is Roger Ebert. The man was already the best critic in the nation when he won the Pulitzer in 1975, but his indomitable spirit during and after his recent battle with cancer keeps me coming back to read not only his reviews but his insightful commentary on the everyday. But enough about a guy you know a lot about.
I knew I was going to be a film critic—some would say a snob—in middle school, when I had to voraciously defend my position that The Royal Tenenbaums was only a million times better than Adam Sandler’s remake of Mr. Deeds. From then on, I would seek out Wes Anderson’s films and avoid Sandler’s like the plague.
Still, I like to think of myself as a populist, and I’ll be just as likely to see the next superhero movie as the next Sundance sensation. The thing I most deplore in a movie is laziness. I’d much rather see movies with big ambitions try and fail than movies with no ambitions succeed at simply existing. I’m also a big advocate of fun-bad movies like The Room and most of Nicolas Cage’s work.
In the past, I’ve written for The Dallas Morning News and the North Texas Daily, which I edited for a semester. I also contributed to Dallas-based Pegasus News, which in the circle of life, is now part of The Dallas Morning News, where I got my big break in 2007. Eventually, I’d love to write and talk about film full-time, but until that’s a viable career option, I work as an auditor for Wells Fargo.
I hope to one day meet my hero, go to the Toronto International Film Festival, and compete on Jeopardy. Until then, I’m excited to share my love of film with you.
