Morgan Spurlock's Seven Deadly Sins

Showtime's 2014 series Morgan Spurlock's Seven Deadly Sins offers a thought-provoking, entertaining, and original exploration of human behavior and modern society. This documentary-style series is an unconventional journey into the darker aspects of human conduct, exploring each of the Seven Deadly Sins, namely gluttony, sloth, wrath, pride, lust, envy, and greed. In each episode, creator and host Morgan Spurlock delves into a new sin, scrutinizing its origins, implications, and contemporary manifestations through expert analysis, personal accounts, and colorful storytelling.

Morgan Spurlock, an Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker known for challenging societal norms and asking bold questions, uses his unique skill set to dig deeper into the dark side of human nature. His knack for engaging with ordinary people and eliciting candid confessions about their sinful tendencies, as well as his humorous approach, helps to bring a light touch to weighty subjects.

The series begins with focus on gluttony, examining our society’s overindulgence and the dire consequences of excessive consumption. Spurlock highlights how gluttony is not just limited to food but is also evident in our culture’s obsession with consumerism and materialism.

Next, the series tackles "sloth," one of the sins that appears harmless on the surface, but is revealed as a pervasive issue in an overly comfortable, tech-driven society where physical activities are increasingly automated or outsourced. Every episode in the series uses a similar template, pairing a deep dive into the meaning of each sin with a look at its modern manifestations, weaving an intriguing tapestry about human behavior.

Spurlock enlivens the subject matter with his creative storytelling style, using filmed vignettes, animations, interviews, and archival footage. The highlight of the series is the engaging personal confessionals from people who admit to various sins. The audience hears from diverse individuals, including people who feed their obsessions in striking, extravagant, scandalous, or detrimental ways. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the full spectrum of human capacity, from serene moderation to destructive extremes.

The episode on envy delves into the toxic desperation that arises when people become consumed with wanting what others have, be it wealth, status, possessions, or even physical attributes. In the episode on wrath, the focus shifts to the destructive power of anger, its roots, and its psychological underpinnings. The series further explores the themes of pride, lust, and greed, examining these as driving forces behind many of mankind’s greatest achievements and failures.

With this series, Spurlock isn’t merely wallowing in the darker aspects of the human condition or indulging in salacious TV. He aims to spark a conversation about the societal pressures, individual motivations, and cultural norms that can sometimes lead us towards the fostering of these so-called sins. The show functions as a mirror held up to society, challenging us to confront our own sinful tendencies.

A standout aspect of Morgan Spurlock's Seven Deadly Sins, apart from the intriguing subject matter, is its rich visual appeal. The series includes artful cinematographic techniques, such as live-action animation, high-quality stylized footage, and interesting graphics that contribute to the show’s distinctive visual language and engaging pace. Every episode of the series is packed with surprising revelations and presented in such a way that you just can’t look away, making the show both informational and highly entertaining.

Whether one views these seven sins as absolute moral wrongs, or as natural aspects of the human condition, this series shows how each of these behaviors plays into our daily lives, and the effects they have on our society. By turning a discerning eye on these supposedly ‘sinful’ behaviors, Morgan Spurlock's Seven Deadly Sins manages to be controversial, thought-provoking, and undeniably captivating.

While largely aimed at an adult audience due to its content, the series' episodes are thoughtfully handled and offer a compelling viewing experience for anyone willing to explore the human capacity for both vice and virtue. Whether you've been a long-time fan of Spurlock's work, or this is your first glimpse into his unique perspective, Morgan Spurlock's Seven Deadly Sins promises an unforgettable journey into the darker sides of human nature.