‘The Mission’ (2023) Review – An Incomplete Portrait Of Deadly Religious Journey

Adam Goodheart posits that ‘’talking about them reveals so much and conceals so much’’ in reference to the Sentinelese people. The same can be said of The Mission the new documentary by Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss. Their subject is John Chau, a 26-year-old American evangelical Christian, and his attempt to convert the Sentinelese people. Chau’s story is told from multiple perspectives and styles. Through animation, video footage, diary entries, prewritten letters, and first-hand testimonials we get a convoluted explanation of what motivated Chau to embark upon the fatal voyage to the North Sentinel Island.

The Mission makes it clear that the Sentinelese people are on the fringes of society – in the opening credits they are specifically described as ‘’hunter-gatherers’’ and we get a sense that Chau’s theocratic assignment is one that requires him to travel back in time. Actors bring Chau’s diary to life allowing a glimpse into the psyche of a young man who is willing to make an illegal and dangerous expedition in the hopes of a successful Christian conversion.

Through an actor’s voiceover, Chau’s father provides his assessment of the matter. His language is clear and concise as he refers to his son’s exact age down to the month. A psychiatrist for many years, Chau’s father is convinced that losing his medical license and the 11 years it took to gain it back is the catalyst for his son’s ‘’doubt in life’’.  Chau’s father describes missionary work with obvious disdain calling it a ‘’predestined suicidal mission’’, ‘’ill-fated’’, and a ‘’radical colonial agenda’’ and emphasises his disappointment that Chau has not followed in his footsteps.

Testimonials from Chau’s Christian friends prove he is remembered fondly and till this day they view his missionary work as ‘’bold’’ and ‘’courageous’’. The interview with All Nations, the independent missionary college, is interesting due to its performative sincerity but even more so because of its blatant ambiguity. Despite being directly asked as to who Chau’s mentor is, they refuse to share this information, therefore depriving the documentary of a crucial insight into Chau’s preparation and mindset before he was ‘cleared’ for this missionary work.

Adam Goodheart recounts his experiences of traveling to the North Sentinel Island for the purposes of his book and admits to the hubris that propelled him as a young man. He acknowledges his book was a key influence on Chau and expresses his regret. Dan Everett speaks of Chau with reverence but as his own decades of missionary work were unsuccessful he has lost his faith and now views such exploits as foolish and dangerous which begs the question if this is how we should view such work.

Throughout the film, it is emphasized that Chau is enamored with missionary life and devours comic books and films with heavy religious conversion themes. The way the documentary is constructed echoes the very media Chau is obsessed with. The animation is beautiful and warm but detracts from the seriousness of the subject matter.  The effect is as though we are watching a fictional tale unravel, an adventure story bursting with excitement and not a real-life cautionary tale where a young man embarks upon an illegal voyage and is murdered by a solitary indigenous tribe.

Chau’s mother is not featured in the film and she does not present her thoughts in writing to be included as Chau’s father does. A mother’s perspective on the death of her son is a crucial insight to have in a unique case such as this. Its absence is either unfortunate or a shrewd calculation in an attempt to protect John’s memory. Perhaps if her perspective had been included we would have a deeper understanding of what Chau was like as a child and what motivated him to embark upon an evangelical course instead of following in his father’s footsteps.

The Mission frustratingly leaves more questions unanswered. We do not learn how Chau is mentored or by whom. Due to the solitary nature of the Sentinelese people, it is not possible to get their thoughts on the matter. To be frank, this documentary is not really about them. It is about a young man whose motivations appear noble on paper but as the film progresses suggest a perturbing Messiah Complex. In Chau’s own words, they shot arrows through his Bible as a warning to stay away during his first attempt at contact. Despite this, he made another attempt to ‘witness’ to them and as a result lost his life. If anything, this film will encourage discussion on what constitutes acceptable and safe missionary work and the right to free will.

The Mission is currently playing in theaters courtesy of National Geographic Documentary Films. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afg1V6WOM80]