The Messengers

The Messengers is a gripping American television series that originally aired on The CW network for one season, from April 17, 2015, to July 24, 2015. This compelling mix of supernatural drama, mystery, and end-of-days foretelling surprisingly grounds itself in the ordinary world, charting an imagination-stirring narrative that explores theological concepts of good and evil, fate, free will, and the lengths that people would go to when pushed to the absolute limits.

The story starts off with a mystifying event. A mysterious object crashes down on earth and sends out a shockwave that instantaneously kills five strangers who were geographically far apart. Tennessee nurse Vera Buckley, swimmer and single father Joshua Silburn Jr., federal agent Raul Garcia in Mexico, shunned Amish girl Erin Calder, and homeless teen Ronnie Plummer all tonically collapse, only to resurrect inexplicably minutes later. When they wake up, they carry a formidable power within them. Beyond the physical changes, they are also left with heightened cognitive abilities that range from understanding languages they've never studied to seeing future events before they unfold.

All five now stand at the centre of a cosmic event that will change the course of humanity. Drawn towards each other by their inexplicable shared fate, they learn they have been chosen as “Angels of the Apocalypse.” Guided by a mysterious figure known as 'The Man,' the five Messengers stand as humanity’s last hope against the impending apocalypse.

This diverse, unknown-to-each-other group of individuals must put their personal differences and troubles aside to try to halt the coming Rapture. As they start to understand the power they carry and the role they play in the world’s imminent destiny, they grapple with the terrifying reality of their new-found duties. Each of their pasts has, in its own way, prepared them for these moments, as they strive to understand the bigger picture slowly shaping before their eyes.

The many-layered characters are eloquently painted, humanizing the ominous events surrounding their lives. They are not stereotypical heroes but ordinary people tangled in a web of incredible obligations and choices. Their personal journeys are well-crafted and garner sympathy and understanding from the audience. Amid this catastrophic chaos and extraordinary situations, they find strength and determination in their shared responsibility. It is these relationships, developing from strangers to the unlikely saviours of humankind that create the emotional core of the series.

The cinematic style of the series enforces its gripping storyline; the ominous mood and tension are effectively conveyed through its blend of high-scale effects and color grading techniques. This allows an atmospheric setting that provokes a feeling of impending doom.

In the show, biblical prophecy encounters science, forcing our main characters into roles they never saw themselves filling. The audience is consequently drawn into a heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat question: will these five chosen individuals be able to decipher their purpose and execute their duties before the impending apocalypse?

The Messengers is also notable for its approach to religious appeal, as it doesn't just confine itself to a Christian perspective on the apocalypse. Instead, it taps into various cultures’ beliefs and transcends into spirituality in general, making it accessible for audiences of different faiths and beliefs.

Eoghan O'Donnell, who previously worked on 'Teen Wolf,' is the creator of The Messengers. The series captivates viewers with its unique storytelling and intriguing, diverse characters. From skeptics to true believers, anyone who appreciates a good mystery, thrill, incredible visual effects, and emotional storytelling will undoubtedly become caught up in The Messengers' gripping world. Despite running for only one season, The Messengers manages to leave an indelible impact on its audience, leaving them with plenty of room for contemplation.