Obey God or Man? New Religious Freedom Film Coming to Theaters

Several of our staff members saw a screener of this film, and one of our staff, Troy Lacey, wrote the following review to encourage you to go out and support this film.

[Spoiler Alert: This review reveals certain elements of the movie’s plot, but only to the extent necessary to convey the relevant aspects of the film.]

In the not-too-distant future, American Christians are hiding. The President of the United States (Pres. Walker) has issued an executive order outlawing the “explosive and offensive” text of the Holy Bible and substituted it with a new, less offensive, government-approved “Enlightened Truth” bible. To enforce this order, the federal government unleashes U.S. Homeland Security to crack down on the Christians who are risking it all to smuggle the true, inerrant Word of God to churches around the United States.

The movie kicks into action when Jake and Nate have their barn burned down by federal agents and they lose all their stored Bibles. Nate meets up with his wife, Rachel, in a local restaurant, and Nate finds a fellow smuggler, known as “the Apostle.” The Apostle has an intriguing job proposal (deliver Bibles to seven churches in the Midwest). Nate, then begins to lead the group of Indiana smugglers, mostly friends and family. Standing in their way is one of Homeland Security’s most ruthless agents, determined to stop the spread of the Bible and use any means necessary.

Several different personal and family dynamics are portrayed. For example, Danelle Thornton warns her husband, Jake (one of the Bible smugglers), that he has to give up his smuggling lifestyle. When he refuses, she leaves him and takes their son Austin with her. Nate’s own brother J.J. has doubts and fears about this mission but joins because his brother is involved. Other family members are fearful but supportive, and the smugglers meet some surprising allies along the way. Some smugglers are bolder and have to convince others of the need to combat the “enlightened” bible.

Since we don’t want to provide too many spoilers (or at least keep the plot lines generic enough so the viewer will still be surprised as the movie unfolds), we will only say that some members of the group sacrifice their lives for the Word of God. Also, in order to escape government scrutiny of their “cargo,” they cannot smuggle electronic or hardcopy Bibles. This forces them to get creative, which is one of the parts of the movie which is very innovative.

All-in-all, this well-produced and well-acted movie is fast-paced with plenty of action, intrigue, drama, and betrayal.

All-in-all, this well-produced and well-acted movie is fast-paced with plenty of action, intrigue, drama, and betrayal. Loyalties are tested, and there are moments of prayer and Spirit-guided quick-thinking on the part of the smugglers. We also see at the end of the movie that the ranks of the smugglers will continue to grow, as new recruits are willing to risk defying the government in order to obey God.

This Fathom Events-sponsored movie will be released in the US on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, with an encore showing on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. For more information, please check out the Fathom Events website.

I encourage you to support this exciting movie. Go to Fathom Events to find a theater near you that is showing this film.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.