Testament

Never imagined that a show like this could exist but here we are. I've always loved movies and shows with themes of political rebellion and survival set in a dystopian future. It reminds me of The Divergent Series or The Hunger Games but adding in the familiarity of scripture. The way the writers reimagined the book of acts felt completely fresh to me and I never felt bored or that it was predictable even though I have read the book that inspired it. It challenged my assumptions about what it must have been like on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit fell upon the church. It also challenged my assumptions about who these early Christians were as people and how they related to each other. The acting is also excellent. Well done to the creators. I'm truly looking forward to each episode.

Everything from the story writing, the acting, the music, the landscape is all top quality.

It's difficult to take a period drama and make it modern, but this has been done with such care and class.

The stories are authentic to the original script (The Book of Acts) but have been brought into a society that we can relate to.

I am quite critical when it comes to misusing scripture, and I can honestly say I have very little, if anything, to critique here. It is loaded with gems of truth, easter eggs and nuggets to find. It keeps the tension while endearing you to the characters.

I highly recommend this show to anyone.

I went for this without knowing what it was about. I knew there was something "supernatural" about it, but that was all.

It took me a while to understand what was happening and who the characters were. My native language is not English and I watched it without subtitles, to I didn't immediately associate the characters to the Bible, as I know the names they're called in my language.

When I realized what was happening I was surprised. I never imagined event he possibility of doing something like this, meaning "bringing an ancient story to the modern days". I recommend everyone watches this, if for nothing else, just for what it is. Bringing the story to our days, making it relatable, completely changes the weight of the human drama. Suddenly, Steven is not just a character anymore, but a real person who could be one of my friends.

I don't give it a 10 because:

(1) I'm not sure that someone who doesn't know the story will be able to follow or understand what's happening. I've read "The Acts" multiple times and I only realized that was what it was about by the second episode. Someone who never read it will probably get in the beginning lost and stay lost until the end. So, I'd recommend to anyone planning to watch this, read The Acts of the Apostles first and then watch it. I think you'll have a better experience.

(2) Afaik, no apostle or Pharisee was a Canaanite. There were all Jews and that was the rule until "The Acts" part of the story, where the Gentiles would also be welcome to hear the good news. So, the DEI casting doesn't help. Having said that the way the Apostles were played by the "diverse" cast was flawless: common, everyday people, with real emotions, doubts, limitations, great faith, but sometimes slipping into doubt, as real human beings.

(3) I don't know how to explain, but the locations didn't feel right. It felt like a theater play, with limited scenarios. It also felt like there was no connection among locations, like if the disciples apartments/shelter, Steven's home and the Temple were in different countries. I would say the same for some street shots. The locations don't feel like they belong in the same city.

I started this series with a skeptical eye but was quickly pulled into the story. I like the blend of old and new settings and costuming. The first 2 episodes required extra attention from the viewer as there are so many characters. But once I knew them all I was totally into the series. I am hoping there will be a second season as there is so much more of this story to tell. This is a true Christian movie that I can recommend to friends who consider themselves unbelievers. Well acted. Well scripted. Well directed.

Testament brings the narrative of the early gospel movement to life right before your eyes, in a modern context. Not cheesy, but faithful to the sacred text in its message in many ways. It's well done, I anticipate the new releases every week. One of the best things I enjoy is seeing the humanity of those who are heroes of the faith. We see their doubts, their emotions, relational tension between them and with family members. Even the fact that they had family members and lived in a complicated in between world adds to the dynamics. Intensity, joy, surprise, sorrow... you see a full range of emotions and I felt that I could relate to the characters.