Because you should be. Netflix’s new psychodramatic thrill-’em-up mixes Homeland’s political theatre with religious fervour and the existential desperation of a world on the brink of apocalypse, introducing a man who claims to bring salvation to humanity. But is he the messiah or a very naughty boy? You’ll keep guessing up to the show’s finale.
When a preacher turns up in Damascus at the same time, coincidentally or not coincidentally, that a sudden storm obstructs ISIS’s occupation of the city, the people declare him Al-Masih, “the messiah” and reincarnation of ʿĪsā, the prophet of Islam. Or Jesus, the prophet of Christianity. Al-Masih is conveniently kind of ambiguous about it, and even his assumed name isn’t exactly unambiguous. According to Muslim doctrine, the false prophet will call himself “Al-Masih” too. It’s complicated.
And controversial, inevitably, because some random guy who thinks he’s the redeemer of our sins is going to prompt questions. Like, “are you off your meds”, maybe, or “how are you even so totally gorgeous, omg”.
Messiah is out now on Netflix.