American Primeval 2025 Limited Series


 

American Primeval

“He knows our real name.”

“Are you ready to run?”

“By chance did anyone else escape?”

“No.”
-American Primeval

    What do we gain when we seek freedom, but lose sight of our humanity in the process? American Primeval is a striking portrait of the dignity of the human person, and the tragedy that can arise out of misunderstanding that dignity. This miniseries does double or triple duty on so many thematic and visual levels. Yet, it never loses that central core of humanity. That driving force, reminding us that we all are human. All we need to do is understand that fact to appreciate the true value of the human experience. A simple truth, I know. It is perhaps a bit naive as well though, it never negates the facts of the matter. If we can learn to understand the dignity of others, we ultimately gain a deeper understanding of our own dignity as a human being.
    This stark Western drama is a journey that longs for freedom. Set against the backdrop of 1857 Utah, American Primeval depicts an America that is cold and harsh. A harshness that conceals a simmering conflict beneath its callused surface. With its dark and brooding shadows It is a prime exemplar of the animosity that can lurk in all our hearts. Here, it may be easy to say that American Primeval focuses on a particular instigator of this latent conflict. Intent on pointing fingers rather than examining the true causes behind the dual human failures of mistrust and our need to control. Though this series does not take the easy way out. All parties are to blame. The Mormons, Native Americans and the US military are all reminders of our human weakness and failure. There is nobody to blame, because we all are to blame in some way or another. We must come to terms with that fact. Not as a way of beating ourselves up, but to realize, we all can do better when it comes to appreciating the true gift it is to be human.
    That is American Primeval 's deepest strength. It's simple yet insightful, distilling down the age-old question. Who did what to whom? Yet, this nuanced question hides another in its layered complexity as well. Creator Mark L. Smith and series director Peter Berg, along with their team pose that question this way: What lies at the heart of animosity and hatred? Their answer? They leave that one up to you.


Rated TV MA for language, violence, gore and a brief scene of sexual violence (no nudity)

I found American Primeval to be visually powerful, thought-provoking and insightful. I hope in some way you do too.

American Primeval can be streamed on Netflix with a subscription.

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