Religion: 30

Father Stu (2022), a biographical drama film, stars Mark Wahlberg as Stuart Long. Long, a former boxer-turned-Catholic priest who battles a progressive muscle disorder, is portrayed by Wahlberg in this highly-anticipated movie. Written and directed by Rosalind Ross in her directorial debut, the film was produced with a budget of $4 million. The story follows Long’s journey as he leaves his hometown of Helena, Montana for Southern California to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor. Along the way, he navigates a strained relationship with his parents who are wary of ...

Overcomer (2019), a Christian drama directed by Alex Kendrick and co-written with Stephen Kendrick, marks the sixth film for the brothers and their second under Kendrick Brothers Productions. John Harrison, a basketball coach at the local high school and husband to Amy, faces a difficult situation when the manufacturing plant in town shuts down. This causes many students and their families to leave, resulting in the loss of teachers and coaches at the school. In an effort to save another program from being cut, Principal Olivia Brooks (played by Priscilla Shirer) asks ...

Mary Magdalene (2018) is a biblical drama film, telling the story of its titular character. Set in Judea during 33 AD, Mary is a young woman from the village of Magdala by the Sea of Galilee. Strong-willed and determined to break away from societal norms that limit women to being wives and mothers, she longs for freedom. However, her rejection of a marriage proposal from family friend Ephraim leads her brother Daniel and father Elisha to believe she is possessed by a demon. As a result, they arrange an exorcism. In search of help, Elisha turns to Jesus – a healer who has become renowned among the local Jewish population for his teachings on love, peace, and ...

Andrew Hyatt wrote and directed the American biblical drama film, Paul, Apostle of Christ (2018). Having strong influence as a Christian leader, Paul finds himself imprisoned in Mamertine Prison in Rome, posing a threat to Nero’s power. The newly appointed prefect of the prison, Mauritius Gallus, accuses him of setting fire to half of Rome and, under Nero’s decree, condemns him to death. In a weary and physically beaten state, Paul is greeted by Luke who has snuck into the prison after meeting with Aquila and Priscilla. As they both recognize that Paul’s time on Earth is limited, Luke asks him for help ...

Silence (2016) is an epic historical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, based on the 1966 novel of the same name by Shūsaku Endō. The story follows two devout Portuguese Catholic priests, Sebastião Rodrigues and Francisco Garupe, who embark on a journey to Japan in 1633. Their mission: to uncover the truth behind their mentor Father Cristovão Ferreira’s abrupt end of correspondence. Despite hearing rumors of Ferreira’s apostasy, the determined Jesuit missionaries press on, facing brutal anti-Christian purges in their search for their friend and ...

Risen (2016), a biblical drama film directed and written by Kevin Reynolds and Paul Aiello respectively, tells the story of Clavius, a Roman Tribune from Legio X Fretensis. In charge of overseeing the crucifixion of Yeshua (Jesus), Clavius orders his men to guard the body after his death. However, the body mysteriously disappears and the soldiers accuse Yeshua’s followers of stealing it in order to fabricate his resurrection. To prevent an uprising in Jerusalem before the Emperor’s arrival, Pontius Pilate tasks ...

In Edoardo Falcone’s comedic Italian film, God Willing (2015), Tommaso is a renowned cardiac surgeon and self-proclaimed atheist. However, when his son Andrea, a medical student, informs the family of his plans to become a priest, Tommaso is both shocked and frustrated with Catholicism. To prevent this change, he enlists the help of his son-in-law Gianni and goes undercover during Andrea’s absence at a retreat to expose Father Don Pietro, whom he believes has influenced his son. As tensions rise within the family, Tommaso’s wife Carla turns to alcohol as her dissatisfaction in their marriage grows. ...

War Room (2015) is an American Christian drama film directed and co-written by Alex Kendrick. The story follows Tony and Elizabeth Jordan, a seemingly successful couple with material wealth and a daughter named Danielle. Despite their outward appearance, their marriage is strained due to Tony’s callous behavior, verbal abuse, and thoughts of infidelity. His demanding job also keeps him away from his family for extended periods of time. In an effort to sell a house for an elderly woman named Miss Clara, Elizabeth turns to her for advice on her struggling marriage. Miss Clara suggests using the power of prayer and ...

A.D. The Bible Continues (2015) is the follow-up to the 2013 biblical miniseries, The Bible, and the film Son of God. It is an American drama produced by Roma Downey, Mark Burnett, and Richard Bedser. The limited series premiered on NBC on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015, with twelve one-hour episodes airing weekly. Beginning with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, it picks up immediately after the events of The Bible and Son of God and continues with the first ten chapters of Acts ...

Filmmaker Ridley Scott brought the biblical story of Exodus to life through his epic film, Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014). At this time in history, Moses, a respected member of the Egyptian royal family and a skilled general, prepares for battle with the Hittites alongside his fellow prince Ramesses. A High Priestess delivers a prophecy to Ramesses’s father Seti I using animal entrails, foretelling that one of the two princes will save the other and become a great leader. During the intense battle, Moses risks his own life to save Ramesses, leaving both men unsettled. As events unfold, Moses takes on the ...

Son of God (2014) is an American epic biblical film that tells the story of Jesus. Directed by Christopher Spencer and produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, the movie is an adaptation of the ten-hour miniseries The Bible, which originally aired on the History channel in March 2013. Following the film, another TV series called A.D. The Bible Continues premiered. John, the last surviving follower of Jesus Christ, resides as a hermit near the seaside where he shares his experiences with Jesus. In ...

The Bible (2013) is a television miniseries based on the biblical accounts, produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett. Originally aired on History channel in March 2013, it was later adapted into a feature film called Son of God. This epic biblical drama covers Genesis to Revelation in ten hour-long episodes, presented in five pairs. Each episode features live-action and computer-generated imagery to portray two or three biblical stories. Notable stories such as Noah’s Ark, the Exodus, and the life of

The film Barabbas (2012) follows the story of the titular character whose life was spared due to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Starring Billy Zane and based on Par Lagerkvist’s Nobel Prize-winning novel, this television movie retells the Biblical tale of redemption and will air as a four-hour miniseries on REELZ. Filmed in Tunisia, this Emmy Award-winning production was helmed by director Roger Young.

The American independent film Red State (2011), written and directed by Kevin Smith, follows teenagers Travis, Jarod, and Billy Ray on their way to meet a woman named Sarah. While driving, they accidentally hit Sheriff Wynan’s parked car as Wynan is engaging in sexual activity with another man. Upon returning to the station, Wynan instructs his deputy Pete to search for the vehicle involved. Meanwhile, Sarah deceives the boys into drinking drugged beer, causing them to pass out. When Jarod wakes up, he finds himself in a covered cage inside Five Points Trinity Church – a fervently conservative church led by ...

Courageous (2011) is an independent American Christian drama directed by Alex Kendrick and co-written by his brother, Stephen Kendrick. Nathan Hayes, a new deputy in Albany, Georgia, rushes to reclaim his stolen truck from a gas station. Despite being injured, he bravely retrieves the vehicle and finds relief when he sees his baby boy unharmed in the back. Upon arrival of the police, fellow deputies Adam Mitchell and Shane Fuller learn about Hayes’ recent move to their town. As they bond over work, we also catch glimpses of their personal lives: Mitchell’s ...

Fireproof (2008), the first film released by both Samuel Goldwyn Films and Affirm Films, is a thought-provoking American Christian drama directed by Alex Kendrick. The plot centers around Caleb and Catherine Holt, a married couple facing challenges in their relationship. On the job, Caleb stresses the importance of always supporting one’s partner, yet at home, the two are constantly bickering. Catherine criticizes Caleb for his selfishness in wanting an unnecessary and costly boat while she considers paying for her sick mother’s medical equipment. She is also frustrated with his habit of viewing internet ...

Facing the Giants (2006), an American Christian drama sports film directed by and starring Alex Kendrick, tells the story of Grant Taylor. As head football coach of the Shiloh Christian Academy Eagles for seven years, he has faced numerous challenges: no state playoffs, no winning record. And this season has started out especially rough with three consecutive losses and the loss of a key player to another school. Adding to his struggles, his home is in disrepair, his appliances are failing, and his car is unreliable. But perhaps the biggest blow for Grant is learning that he is infertile and unable to give his wife ...

Mary (2005), a drama thriller flick, was written and directed by American filmmaker Abel Ferrara. After completing a movie about Jesus named This Is My Blood, Marie Palesi – the actress portraying Mary Magdalene – seeks refuge in Jerusalem to uncover the truth behind the story. Meanwhile, the film’s director (who also portrays Jesus) returns to New York with an aggressive campaign to promote the movie. Controversy surrounds the film due to its use of non-canonical Gnostic Gospels in some scenes, as well as allegations of anti-Semitism that remain unexplained. In New ...

Director Mel Gibson brought the biblical story of The Passion of the Christ (2004) to life. On Passover night in Gethsemane, Jesus prays with his disciples- Peter, James, and John. In this moment, Satan appears and attempts to tempt Jesus. As blood-like sweat drips from Jesus’ body and a serpent emerges from the guise of Satan, Jesus crushes its head as a rebuke. Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot is offered thirty pieces of silver by Caiaphas and the Pharisees to betray Jesus’ identity. He leads temple guards to the forest where he is arrested, resulting in a scuffle that leads to Peter injuring Malchus, the guard ...

Flywheel (2003) is an American Christian drama film that follows the story of Jay Austin, a used car dealer who undergoes a transformation when he decides to turn from his deceitful ways. Despite attending church at the request of his wife Judy, Jay cheats his customers and even overcharges his own pastor. He teaches his colleagues Bernie Meyers and Vince Berkeley to do the same. However, as Jay’s relationships with Judy and their son Richie suffer due to his dishonesty, he starts feeling conflicted about his actions. One day, while flipping through channels on TV, he comes across a pastor preaching about the consequences of our choices in life. As he faces ...