Andrew Garfield’s 7-Part Hulu Thriller Is A Perfect Miniseries

Andrew Garfield‘s 7-episode thriller on Hulu is the perfect miniseries, made all the more impactful due to its real-world connections. Garfield’s movies are what the actor is best known for, from his role as Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man duology, to his award-winning performances in films like Hacksaw Ridge and Tick, Tick… Boom!

One of his unsung roles was in the 2022 Hulu miniseries Under the Banner of Heaven. The streaming crime drama follows Garfield as Detective Jeb Pyre of the Utah Police Department, investigating a crime entangled with his faith as a Latter-day Saint.

Andrew Garfield looking concerned in Under the Banner of Heaven

The story of Under the Banner of Heaven sees Garfield’s Jeb investigating the murder of Brenda Lafferty (Daisy Edgar-Jones), wife of Allen Lafferty (Billy Howle) of the Lafferty family, a group with deep ties to the LDS Church and who practice fundamental Mormonism. Jeb and his partner, Bill Taba (Gil Birmingham), peel back the layers of the crime and the family’s involvement.

The show is based on a 2003 true crime book of the same name, written by Jon Krakauer, about the real-world case of Brenda’s murder. Both the book and the TV show focus on the investigation leading up to Utah v. Lafferty, particularly revealing the Lafferty family’s involvement leading to her murder.

Andrew Garfield Gives An Amazing Performance As A Devout Detective

Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield) looking concerned in Under The Banner Of Heaven — Andrew Garfield looks on in Under the Banner of Heaven

What makes Garfield’s performance in the show so engaging is his character’s deep ties to the LDS church. As a devout Mormon himself, Jeb is forced to face a dark underside to his religious institution, his belief system being taken advantage of and questioned by those willing to harm others for personal gain. It makes his character nuanced and complex.

It helps that, the further into the investigation he goes, the more he starts to wrestle with his faith. However, he’s mostly grappling with the religious system itself, not necessarily their values, making Under the Banner of Heaven a compelling look at how belief and crime intertwine. Garfield’s performance sells this unraveling in spectacular fashion.

Brenda (Daisy Edgar-Jones) standing outside in Under the Banner of Heaven — Daisy Edgar-Jones standing outside in Under the Banner of Heaven

While Garfield’s performance is the selling point, Under the Banner of Heaven reviews signal it’s one of the best miniseries Hulu’s ever produced. The show holds a Certified Fresh 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and was nominated for multiple awards, with Garfield and Edgar-Jones earning Golden Globe nominations.

The Garfield-led series’ critical reception is a reflection of how well it handles the real-world case, while also tackling ideas pertaining to the LDS church via the Lafferty family. It’s a nuanced take that showcases a struggle of faith, one that elevates the story it sets out to tell.