“American Primeval,” a new Netflix miniseries, dives headfirst into the tumultuous landscape of 1857 Utah Territory. Created by Mark L. Smith and directed by Peter Berg, the series chronicles clashes among pioneers and Native Americans, intertwined with the historical backdrop of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Released on January 9, the series spares no detail in depicting the gritty and violent realities of the time.
The Mountain Meadows Massacre is a pivotal event portrayed early in the series. According to Berg, speaking with Collider, the massacre is a historical reality acknowledged by the Mormon Church. He emphasized presenting the unvarnished brutality of the event and exploring humanity’s inherent violent tendencies, driven by fear and the need to bond within groups. The massacre involved Mormons attacking settlers from Arkansas, with some Native American tribes entangled in the chaos. Visiting the massacre site in southern Utah, Berg found that the Church built a monument acknowledging this grim chapter in history.
The Show’s Framing of History and Violence
The series ambitiously attempts to depict the raw essence of historical violence. “American Primeval” doesn’t shy away from the gut-wrenching details of the massacre, providing an unfiltered look into one of the darker moments in U.S. history. While historical events are portrayed with fidelity, the series opts for fictional main characters, using their stories to weave a narrative that resonates with contemporary audiences.
Critically, the series received mixed reactions. While the audience on Rotten Tomatoes awarded it an 87% Popcornmeter score, critics were less impressed, giving it only a 59% Tomatometer score. The chief criticism lay in the underdevelopment of its characters and the overarching story. Viewers were thrown almost immediately into the massacres, with little chance to connect with the characters beforehand. This pacing left some feeling the narrative needed further development to match its historical ambition.
Audience Reception and Criticism
Though “American Primeval” aimed to provide new insight into overlooked historical events, its debut was not without risk. The depiction of such controversial historical moments is bound to draw varied reactions. The show succeeded in educating viewers about the Mountain Meadows Massacre, yet some felt the character development fell flat. Had Berg focused more on building his characters before the pivotal events, the emotional impact might have resonated more deeply with the audience.
Closing Credits
Despite its bold take on history, “American Primeval” splits opinions. Audiences have praised its unflinching portrayal of a dark period in American history, but critics call for deeper character exploration. The miniseries remains a fascinating watch for those interested in a raw depiction of historical events. Whether it will pave the way for more history-intense dramas or retreat as a one-off experiment remains to be seen in the future of streaming narratives.
