Hand Of God

Hand of God is a riveting, dark thriller-drama series from Amazon Studios, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2014 and concluded with its final season in 2017. The captivating series, crated by Ben Watkins, paints a complex psychological portrait that probes into themes of morality, religion, power, and the very nature of reality itself through its deep narrative.

At the center of the series stands the turbulent character, Judge Pernell Harris, played with riveting intensity by Ron Perlman, known for his roles in “Hellboy” and the television series "Sons of Anarchy." Pernell is a hard-living, law-bending married man with a violent past. Known in town as "Judge Maximum," Pernell uses his position to wield power and manipulate the system to his advantage. His life, however, takes a dramatic twist after he suffers a mental breakdown and embarks on a path where legal and moral lines are crossed.

Following a traumatic incident involving his family, Pernell begins to experience visions and hear voices, which he believes are messages from God channeling him onto a mission of vigilante justice. But are these divine interventions, hallucinations, or something else entirely? These unsettling experiences lead him to a path that is far beyond the courtroom and law he is accustomed to, into a world that’s both ethereal and vengeful.

Further complicating his life is the presence of a questionable prophet named Paul Curtis, also known as PJ, adeptly portrayed by Emile Hirsch. His enigmatic presence and questionable influence takes Pernell's journey into a whole new unforeseen direction.

Exploring themes like religion, repentance, and distorted perception of reality, Hand of God also incorporates a range of intriguing personalities entwined in Pernell's life. His questioning, skeptical wife Crystal Harris is portrayed by Dana Delany. Her efforts to navigate through the chaos surrounding her husband add layers to the emotional complexity of the plot.

In addition, the series dives deep into the political undercurrent of a city governed by power and money, presenting a landscape filled with morally ambiguous characters, from the local mayor, ambitious builders craving for power, to corrupt cops, all of which adds to the multifaceted narrative of the series.

In its portrayal of an individual's pursuit of purpose, justice, and religious ideals, Hand of God brings a unique narrative that seeks to raise questions rather than offer solutions. The series teeters on the edge of mystery and irony, drawing viewers into a vortex of its multi-layered narrative with its unpredictable plot points. It consciously blurs the divide between faith and folly, justice and obsession, making the audience wonder whether Pernell is driven by a divine force or his personal demons.

The narrative is gritty, intense, and packed with twists and turns, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as they delve deeper into Pernell’s tortured psyche. The performances by the seasoned cast, particularly by Ron Perlman in the lead, are supremely commendable. The series's moody atmosphere is adorned with striking cinematography, effectively capturing the moral gloom that hovers over the narrative.

Primarily dark, intense, and provocative, Hand of God pushes boundaries and invites viewers to rethink their perceptions of faith, justice, and redemption. It strays from the conventional and is consistently daring in its bold exploration of weighty, controversial themes. The series is a psychological roller coaster that presents an intriguing exploration of how one man's perceived divine journey affects everyone in his orbit. With a spellbinding narrative and complex characters, Hand of God offers an immersive viewing experience.

Though it harbors a dark and intense narrative, the show is much more than just a psychological thriller. It's about a journey of faith, or the lack thereof, about power, and about how obsessively pursuing what one believes to be right can have far-reaching, often destructive, consequences. In short, Hand of God is a must-watch for viewers who appreciate intense, thought-provoking, and unconventional narratives.