the blind christian movie review

The True Story of the Robertson Family

Honestly, I never watched Duck Dynasty or followed anything about the Robertson family, but decided to see this film so I could write this review. My expectations were low, but I went into the movie with an open mind. In The Blind Christian Movie Review, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children.

The Blind Christian Movie Review

Studio synopsis:.

Tread Lively, GND Media Group and Fathom Events announce the release of THE BLIND, premiering in theaters nationwide beginning September 28th. Based on the life of Phil and Kay Robertson, THE BLIND is a powerful true story of love, hardship, and redemption. With a talented cast, including Aron von Andrian (DODGER), Amelia Eve (THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR), Brielle Robillard (The Lake), Matthew Erick White (Station 19), and directed by Andrew Hyatt (PAUL, APOSTLE OF CHRIST; FULL OF GRACE), THE BLIND shows that no one is beyond the grace of God, and no one is so far gone that they cannot turn their life around.

My Synopsis:

The Blind is a true story that depicts the lives of Phil and Kay Robertson from the time they were young. It tells the story of trauma and brokenness, family sins, and how the demons we carry with us hold us in our sins. 

It also tells a powerful story of forgiveness and redemption.

The Blind Christian Review: What Parents Want to Know

One use of d-mmit, h-ll and sh-t. While there are very few instances of foul language, there is some other crude language such as dang, and children are called riff-raff.

The worst part is the abuse and yelling that Phil’s mom inflicts on her children. Later Phil verbally abuses his wife.

Phil verbally fights with his wife. In addition, he complains about her often such as, “She will not leave me alone.”

This film depicts incidents of domestic violence. While very little violence is shown, it is interesting to note that what I consider mild is probably actually more severe to some people.

Phil drinks a lot and gets angry. 

During a fight, Phil turns over a table and pushes Kay into the refrigerator knocking her head. In another scene, it is dark, Phil grabs Kay’s arms is verbally fighting with her, and she says, “you are hurting me.” Additionally, he screams at her, “Keep your mouth shut.”

Phil’s mom fights her own demons. It is implied mental illness, and she has “spells.” They show a county truck taking mom away to a mental institution. Furthermore, there is a mention of “shock treatment,” and Phil’s mom is seen with a dead look in her eyes.

Spiritual Content:

Jesus Christ as the way to salvation is clearly laid out by the end of this movie.

A pre-teen child tells her dad, “You could close the store and come to church. It would be good for your soul.”

People are shown praying throughout the movie.

Another person says, “I like to spend my Sundays celebrating God in other ways.” He is then shown drinking (including moonshine), and shooting.

Phil says, “I think I saw the devil. I think he might be me.”

Kay says, “He becomes the devil, but it ain’t him.”

Phil is shown being baptized in the river.

Additional spiritual lines include:

“Jesus says I got to forgive you.” “I’m going to be praying for you.” “Who is going to be Lord of your life.”

Phil’s motto is “Faith. Family. Ducks.”

Adult Content:

Kay holds a bottle of pills. Later she tells someone she was thinking of doing something stupid.

A couple is shown “necking” in a parked car. Then, they “marry” in the woods with just the two of them (no pastor or family). Later the girl is shown pregnant. 

Many scenes deal with being in a bar. Additionally, there are numerous scenes with smoking and drinking, and the drinking begins to overtake Phil. Furthermore, there are numerous scenes where he is “fall down” drunk. In fact, he is even shown with a flask at work.

There are a few instances of Phil “flirting” with other women. Nothing is shown, but the implication is that he is unfaithful.

He is also shown drinking and driving. He crashes into a tree.

Positive Content:

From a young age, Phil hunts to feed his family. 

Kay forgives Phil’s sins. Be aware, this is a story of redemption and the beauty that can be created after you give your life to Jesus. It is also a story of getting out of your own way and letting go of the shame to lead others to Christ.

Christian Review of The Blind – My Viewing Recommendations

In 2018, the movie, I Can Only Imagine came out. Hollywood was perplexed at the success of that movie. While Hollywood continues to push out pure garbage, they are always shocked at a true story that talks of Jesus and redemption. However, just as I got it then, I get it now. The world is hungry for healing and something greater than themselves.

It is an honor to review faith-based movies and help spread the word about them.

AND it is a great honor to review excellent faith-based movies. Overall, this film was much better than I expected.

This movie has a PG-13 rating due to abuse and domestic violence, drinking, and smoking. However, to anyone who has experienced domestic violence as a child or adult, it certainly can be very triggering. While it tells a story of redemption and forgiveness in one family, there is a lot to unpack and process. I would caution anyone younger than 13-15 seeing The Blind.

About the Movie – The Blind:

Rating: PG-13 thematic content and smoking

Release Date: September 28, 2023

Runtime: 1 hour, 48 minutes

Genre: Christian Drama

Studio: Tread Lively

Director: Andrew Hyatt

Written by: Andrew Hyatt, Stephanie Katz

Producer:  Korie Robertson ,  Brittany Lefebvre ,  Zach Dasher ,  Robert Katz ,  Cole Prine

Cast of The Blind:

Phil Robertson played by Aron von 

Kay Robertson played by Amelia Eve

Phil Robertson (teen) played by Matthew Erick White

Kay Robertson (teen) played by Brielle Robillard

Phil (age 12) played by Ronan Carroll

Kay (age 11) played by Scarlett Abinante

Big Al Boleyn played by Connor Tillman

Pastor Smith played by John Ales

Merritt Robertson (Phil’s mom) played by Kerry Knuppe

Si Robertson played by Aaron Dalla Villa

Age 15 – Si played by Grant Davidson

Age 10 – Si played by Brasher Russell

Jan played by Emily Deforest

Age 12 – Jan played by Sofia Sorano Xavier

Age 6 – Jan played by Ezra DuVall

James Robertson played by Clint James

W Anita Carroway played by Whitney Goin

Willie Carroway played by Tom McCafferty

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can i watch the blind.

Currently, The Blind can be seen in movie theaters. It was released on September 28, 2023.

Is there an end credit scene for The Blind?

While there is not an end credit scene for The Blind, Phil Robertson does speak at the end of the movie.

Where was The Blind filmed?

This movie was filmed in Shreveport, Louisiana. However, there were other locations throughout Louisiana including West Monroe and Vivian that were used.

Was Phil unfaithful to Kay?

While infidelity is implied in the movie, they do not come right out and say it. However, Phil does have an adult daughter who was born to a woman he had an affair with after he was married and before he became a Christian.

What happened to Phil Robertson’s mom?

While not much is written about Merritt Robertson, it appears that she died in 2009 in West Monroe, Louisiana, at the age of 95.

Is The Blind movie about Duck Dynasty or Duck Commander?

While The Blind is primarily about Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty, it does touch on his family and their lives growing up. However, there is a scene that shows how Phil got started with Duck Commander .

Additionally, this film is about Phil Robertson and his Christian testimony. It features how he went from a lost sinner and an alcoholic and how he died to his sins and turned his life over to Jesus.

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• DVD & Streaming
• Biography/History , Christian , Drama

Content Caution

In Theaters

• September 28, 2023
• Aron Von Andrian as Phil Robertson; Matthew Erick White as High School Phil; Ronan Carroll as 12-year-old Phil; Amelia Eve as Kay Robertson; Brielle Robillard as High School Kay; Scarlett Abinate as 11-year-old Kay; Connar Tillman as Big Al; John Ales as Pastor Bill Smith; Clint James as James Robertson; Kerry Knuppe as Merritt Robertson; Aaron Dalla Villa as Si; Grant Davidson as 15-year-old Si; Brasher Russell as 10-year-old Si; Emily DeForest as Jan; Sofia Sorano Xavier as 12-year-old Jan; Ezra DuVall as 6-year-old Jan; Whitney Goin as Wanita Carroway; Tom McCafferty as Willie Carroway; Jackson Dean Vincent as Alan; Sawyer Jesse Mixon as Jase; John Shepherd Robertson as Willie

Home Release Date

• November 3, 2023
• Andrew Hyatt

Distributor

• Fathom Events

Movie Review

Millions of reality TV fans made A&E’s Duck Dynasty a surprise hit from 2012 to 2017. Now, The Blind tells the story of this famous clan’s bearded patriarch, Phil Robertson. And while many may know of Phil’s tenaciously outspoken faith now, they may not know the hard and twisting road he walked before surrendering—and that is the right word here—to Jesus.

This biopic (distributed theatrically by Fathom Events and scheduled to screen from Sept. 28 to Oct. 10) unpacks Phil’s story from his childhood through 1985.

Over the course of a long day of duck hunting, Phil relates his story to a friend who wants to know what changed for this man who was once ruled by his thirst for the bottle and the rage it ignited within him.

Flashbacks tell Phil’s story. And that story, almost from the very beginning, is tightly interwoven with the story of Kay Carroway’s—or Miss Kay as almost everyone called her. Kay and Phil grew up hardly a mile apart in Vivian, Louisiana. But whereas Kay’s family was relatively wealthy, Phil’s could hardly have been more poor. His father worked in the state’s oil fields. Meanwhile, his mother was in and out of mental institutions, often leaving Phil to act as a surrogate parent to his brother, Si, and his two sisters, Jan and Judith.

The swampy woods around the Robertson’s impoverished shack of a home offered young Phil an escape from the clamor, the hunger, the unknown future from day to day. “I could get lost in them,” Phil narrates. “They were my refuge. But sooner or later, the real world comes knocking.”

Phil and Kay found each other in childhood, with Kay embodying a kind of mercy and wholesome goodness that she’d need to survive the storm that was to come.

The pair married while Kay was just a junior in high school (where she soon became pregnant). In fact, Phil left a scholarship at Louisiana Tech to care for his young wife. Oh, and to hunt, of course.

For a time, it seemed as if the determined couple would rise above Phil’s humble roots. And when his friend Al gets him a teaching job in Arkansas, the future seems bright for the growing Robertson clan.

But Al—Big Al, as he’s known by everyone—proves a destructive influence, tempting young Phil to embrace the bottle, smoking and a reckless life that will leave soon threaten to destroy not only Phil, but his marriage and children as well.

Positive Elements

The Blind is, ostensibly, Phil Robertson’s story. His testimony, really. But the real hero of this story is Miss Kay. Her innocent belief in the power of love is sorely tested by her husband’s addiction to alcohol, his abusive rage and his emotional abandonment of his bride. Kay Robertson does not make it through unscathed during the decade of Phil’s descent into slavery to the bottle, as we’ll see. But her love for her husband, and her willingness to fight for their marriage, is a beacon of light in this film.

In a fit of drunken anger, Phil tells Kay to leave him and to take their three children (Jase, Alan and Willie) with her. She does so, taking refuge with Phil’s sister Jan, a woman of devout faith and compassion. Jan proves a stabilizing force and helps Kay in her darkest moment. Her encouragement paves the way for Kay to get involved in her church (which offers her a house live in), to get a job and to provide for her three children.

By the time Phil begins to journey out of addiction, Kay’s established a new life. Some part of her wants to give her husband a chance, but she also intuitively seems to realize that Phil still has work to do before that’s even remotely a possibility.

Spiritual Elements

The Blind’ s title references a duck blind, of course. But it quite probably has another meaning, too: a reference to those who are spiritually blind.

Phil most certainly is that. Haunted by his father’s absence, his mother’s mental instability, his increasing addiction to alcohol and his deep sense of shame, Phil does indeed wander as a spiritually blind man through much of this film.

There’s a great deal of spiritual content here, of course, as various characters (most notably Jan and Pastor Bill Smith) try to break through to Phil. When Phil’s friend asks him how he changed his life, Phil responds bluntly, “I didn’t do it. Only God can pull off a move like that.” He realized he had to “stop always making it only about me.”

And even though Phil repeatedly says he needs Kay to stop nagging, to give him his “freedom,” in the end he realizes his determination to live life on his own terms was killing him and poisoning everyone around him. “Funny thing is, once I gave it up, that’s when I got it all back. Everything I’ve been chasing all these years. Funny how that works. How you gotta come to the end of yourself to find the beginning of God.”

Elsewhere, after Phil kicks Kay out of the house, Jan tells Kay a message a preacher once delivered to her. “At some point in our lives, we are all going to feel desperately alone, like we are the only soul in the entire world. And that that would be the most important moment in our entire lives, because we realize that with Jesus, we ain’t never alone.”

In those dark days, Kay says of Phil’s drinking and violence, “He becomes the devil, Si. I’ve seen it in his eyes. But it ain’t him. You know that ain’t your brother.” Likewise, at one point Phil himself sees his dirty, disheveled visage reflected in a lake and also later tells Kay that he saw the devil there.

Phil eventually surrenders his life to Jesus, ceasing his running and his drinking and his raging, dying to himself to be born again into a story that only gets bigger after the events of this film.

Sexual Content

As high schoolers, Phil and Kay kiss. We then see them in a car making out, which prompts Kay to wonder, wisely, “Think it’s right we’re doing this, and we ain’t married?” A wedding ceremony of sorts (it seems it’s just the two kids committing privately to each other on their own) soon follows.

We see some other kisses and tender embraces between the couple once they’re married. It’s clear early on that Kay adores Phil, and her deep affection for him is expressed in longing looks and tender touches—a beautiful picture of the joy a young married couple may share.

Under Big Al’s “tutelage,” Phil begins partying more, and Al introduces him to other women. It’s never completely clear whether Phil is unfaithful in this season, but it certainly seems that his affection is drifting dangerously away from his faithful wife—a drift she feels very keenly.

We see Phil shirtless a couple of times, usually in scenes where that image reinforces how poor and hungry he is.

Violent Content

The most disturbing moments of violence in the film come when Phil, who’s drunk, physically mistreats Kay. In one scene, he shoves her in anger, and she flies into a refrigerator, hits her head and crumples to the floor. Other times, he slams his fists angrily on the wall beside her head. Another scene, he holds her in place and yells at her while she tries to tell Phil that he’s hurting her arms.

We see someone driving drunk, which results in a nasty accident.

Ducks, as you might have suspected, fall to Phil and his family’s shotguns. We see several being carried. (It’s also emphasized that early on, Phil hunted not for sport, but to help his family survive.)

There’s mention of someone dying unexpectedly.

[ Spoiler Warning ] At her lowest point, Kay comes perilously close to giving into the temptation to take her life—a fate she avoids largely due to Jan’s intervention and encouragement.

Crude or Profane Language

The Blind isn’t excessive in its gritty content. But there is some dialogue that definitely hints at various characters’ rough moral edges. We hear three profane uses of “h—,” as well as multiple variants of phrases like “went through hell” and “gone to hell” that could be heard profanely or as a dark spiritual reference. Also in that territory is one use of “hellbent.”

There’s one harsh s-word, uttered by Big Al. We also hear one use of “d–n” and one use each of the exclamations “Good Lord!” and “Oh, Lord.” We hear a smattering of lighter interjections such as “shoot” and “dang.”

Drug and Alcohol Content

Big Al plays an incredibly destructive role in Phil’s life, pressuring him into drinking and smoking. Many scenes here depict both of those things. And it’s the drinking, as noted above, that increasingly tightens its addictive grip on Phil’s life as the story progresses. We see him drinking beer, shots and moonshine, initially with Al and the “boys,” but increasingly by himself, too. As noted, that drunkenness plays a key role in awakening a wild, violent and angry side of Phil which puts his wife and family at risk. Indeed at one point when he encounters his children after a long separation, they’re afraid of him.

Alcohol and driving mingle more than once, with predictably bad results.

We hear (and briefly see) that both of Kay’s parents were drinkers, too, and that her mom’s alcohol consumption increased as she got older.

All in all, there’s a lot of drinking depicted here, but it’s never glamorized and the outcomes are consistently bad.

Other Negative Elements

Phil eventually comes to his senses and realizes how destructively self-centered he’s been. But his incredibly callous and self-centered behavior toward Kay, especially, is truly painful to watch at times.

The Blind delivers a classic story of redemption. A lost and broken boy becomes an even more lost and broken man en route to a dark fate only Jesus can rescue him from.

I don’t think it’s too big of a spoiler to say that Jesus does rescue Phil Robertson from himself—from his alcoholism, from his shame, from his explosive outbursts of violent rage.

As I mentioned above, at times it’s brutally hard to watch this man’s self-destruction. He collapses into his soul, medicating the journey down with liquor, seemingly powerless to stop the damage from consuming his marriage and family. It’s harrowing stuff.

God’s pursuit of Phil is relentless here, whether through his wife, his sister or an incredibly patient pastor. And in time, those influences and that pursuit break through Phil’s hard, often inebriated heart.

Watching the film, I didn’t feel like there was anything gratuitous here. That said, it doesn’t flinch from depicting Phil Robertson’s demons. He (and others) drink and get visibly drunk in many scenes. The specter of suicide is hinted at in one powerful scene. A handful of profanities (including one fairly harsh one) give the story a realistic feel, but they may be a bit more realism than some will want to deal with.

Still, depicting a story of deep brokenness without actually showing some of that brokenness is tricky business. I feel the story accomplishes that admirably and never glories in being “edgy” for edgy’s sake alone.

And in the end what’s more clear than anything is God’s power to redeem, to repair and to restore a man bent by sin.

It’s a story that hardcore Duck Dynasty fans will likely love. But it’s a story of forgiveness and redemption that has the power to connect with an audience broader than that one.

Adam R. Holz

After serving as an associate editor at NavPress’ Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In’s reviews as the site’s director. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three children. In their free time, the Holzes enjoy playing games, a variety of musical instruments, swimming and … watching movies.

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Identity & Purpose

“The Blind” Movie Review: You’ve Heard the Story…But Not Like This

Doug bender.

September 28, 2023 | 3 minute read

I’d tell you there are spoilers here for the movie “The Blind: The True Story of the Robertson Family,” but you probably already know something about their unique story. Many of us watched 11 seasons of their lives on the hit reality television show, “Duck Dynasty.” They have written books, made podcasts, done countless interviews and more to tell you how Jesus saved their family. But no matter how often you’ve heard their story, trust me when I say that you have not heard it told like this. 

Beauty in the Swamps

Perhaps this stems from my days as a part-time photographer or my love of art, but I always value beautiful cinematography. The filmmakers behind "The Blind" have certainly achieved this beauty with their breathtaking capture of the Louisiana swamplands. So much so that you may want to add southern Louisiana on your next trip across the country.

Not only does it capture the backdrop of this heartwarming story, this movie also successfully transports viewers 50 years into the past to the 1960s. The sets and wardrobes are subtle but effective. It reels us into the early days before they were known as “The Robertsons.”

A Feel Good Movie Without the Cheese

I don’t mind a cheesy movie. In fact, many days it’s exactly what I want. But there is an art in telling a heartwarming story that doesn’t come across as flat and obvious. Even though I knew this story, the storytelling in “The Blind” still created doubt and wonder about how this struggling family would make it through all the challenges they faced. Despite my love of cheese (in all its wonderful forms), the honesty of this story created something more beautiful and compelling than I expected.  

Authenticity is perhaps this movie’s highest achievement. There are no attempts at hiding the depravity of this family’s past. The family patriarch, Phil Robertson, in particular, has his faults, sins and addictions on full display. The darkness of some of these scenes is unusually honest and revealing for a movie in this genre. It’s generally clean in the sense that there is almost no swearing, certainly no sex and violence is kept to a minimum. But enough is shown that you know what was really happening emotionally. This isn’t just a story about a man who “went through some hard times”; this is the story of a man who completely lost his way. But it’s precisely this honesty that makes this story so gripping and real.

Religion That’s Lived Not Explained

Some movies with a religious undercurrent can come across as preachy. There can be actual sermons and church services inserted into a film. But this movie is able to show you the power of faith without a sermon. There’s a preacher in the story, but his only sermon is how he lives his life. Phil and Miss Kay have deeply religious experiences throughout this story, but none come across as a religious agenda. In other words, the story came first. The filmmakers didn’t decide to give a sermon wrapped in a story. They decided to tell a great story that just so happened to contain people who had profound religious experiences. 

As a believer, I deeply appreciate this. I love a sermon. I’ve even given a few myself. But I don’t go to the movies to get a sermon. I expect to see a great story when I walk into the theatre. As someone who loves Jesus, I want people to know about my faith and the Jesus that I follow. But I don’t think it will be great sermons that will move most people. I think it will be compelling stories like “The Blind.”

Why This Story Is Important

Like myself and many others, you may already be familiar with the Robertson family story. But you really haven’t seen it like this. I tell you this as someone whose team at I Am Second helped capture a version of this story on film . I tell you this as an author who already wrote this story in a book . 

I knew this story, too.

But this movie is something else. 

It’s going to change lives. It might just be your life that changes. If nothing else, it’ll teach you what the Bible means when it says, “The blind will see…”

(And be sure and stick around for the credits for something special.)

Doug Bender is an I Am Second writer and small groups coach. He developed many of the small group tools found at iamsecond.com and has coached churches, organizations, and individuals to use I Am Second groups to share the message of Jesus with their friends and family. He also works with I Am Second's parent organization, e3 Partners, as a church planter and pastor in countries such as Ethiopia, Colombia, and the US. Doug and his wife, Catherine, have four children: Bethany, Samuel, Isabella, and Jesse.

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Wednesday, September 27, 2023

[review] — "the blind" is a dramatic journey into the marriage of phil and kay robertson — {giveaway}.

Giveaway Details

10 comments:.

I am a super fan of the Duck Dynasty tv show and can not wait to see this movie it looks amazing! heather hgtempaddy

I would like to see this with my husband.

This looks really good.

Looks like a great film!@

This is another movie that I would be interested in seeing.

I do like to view movies that are inspirational.

I would enjoy seeing this movie on a Sunday afternoon.

I look forward to seeing this loved Duck Dynasty. Thanks for sharing.

I find movies hold my interest when they are about real life people.

I really should have watched Duck Dynasty when it was popular.

I adore reading reader feedback! I will, however, remove all spam and pointless comments. Please take note that I have the right to delete comments from this site. Please only post constructive and respectful feedback.

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The Blind Movie Review

By: Author Holly

Posted on Last updated: April 18, 2024

I have always been a fan of the TV series Duck Dynasty, so when I found out they made a movie about the story of Phil and Kay Robertson, I knew I had to see it.

Ladies, this is the film to see with your friends or plan a date night with your husband. I genuinely think that this is a romance movie that he won’t mind going to see. Continue reading for my review of The Blind movie!

Many thanks to Tread Lively for providing a product sample for this review. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.

My Review Of The Blind Movie

I am not sure where to start because I am so excited to share my review on The Blind with you! This movie is a powerful, raw, true story that showcases God’s redemptive power to change our lives when we surrender to Him. The film executed that beautifully. Actors Aron Von Andrian and Amelia Eve nailed their performances as Phil & Kay Robertson.

While watching, it held my attention through the entire time and when the movie was over, I didn’t want it to end! There was not one point in the movie where I felt bored or that the story wasn’t moving along. It was such a beautifully imperfect love story and embodied just how important it is to have God a part of your marriage.

My favorite line was “My momma told me that one day I’d have to fight for my marriage, so here I am fighting.” Kay’s dedication and forgiveness to her husband is outstanding. I hope I am not giving too much away when I say this, but I commend Phil’s determination to turn his life around and be the husband and father his family needs. He may have made some terrible decisions but he didn’t give up on righting his wrongs.

Synopsis Of The Blind Movie

Long before Phil Robertson was a reality TV star, he fell in love, started a family, and began to spiral out of control. THE BLIND shares never-before-revealed moments in Phil’s life as he seeks to conquer the shame of his past, ultimately finding redemption in an unlikely place.

Overall Thoughts Of The Blind Movie

This movie was a 10 out of 10 for me. Run, do not walk on getting your tickets today! Experience the incredible true story of Phil & Kay Robertson from Duck Dynasty in the new movie, The Blind, coming to theaters on September 28th!

Connect With The Blind

Trailer / Website / Facebook / Instagram

Sunday 1st of October 2023

I do like that this is a true and inspirational story about a family overcoming their problems.

Saturday 30th of September 2023

I like that I know the ending and I get to see what they went thru to get there.

Friday 29th of September 2023

I love that it gives hope to broken people and broken families that they can do the impossible.

I like movies about family helping each other.

Tracy Robertson

Thursday 28th of September 2023

The battle with alcoholism is really interesting.

Overall Score

Rating overview, rating summary.

Born on the bayou in 1946, Phil Robertson went from living in a house without a toilet to founding a company worth millions, but more importantly, Phil Robertson went from a man lost to sin to a child of God. The Blind is the story of that redemption.

Based on the real-life events of Phil and Marsha (Miss Kay) Robertson, The Blind delves deep into their lives, starting with their childhood and concluding with Phil’s descent into darkness and life-saving salvation.

Redemption stories are the ultimate underdog tale, and that is one of The Blind’s strongest assets. However, it’s certainly not its only one. It’s a beautifully shot film and cinematographer Chris Stacey should be applauded for his efforts. He provides some exquisitely framed moments and does an excellent job of visual storytelling without getting in the narrative’s way by over-stylizing, which is a particular triumph when one considers his limited experience (The Blind is his 3rd feature-length film).

Offering audiences the film’s standout performance, Amela Eva gives a fantastic turn as the adult Miss Kay. Eva remains present and fully invested in her character throughout, delivering both well-scripted and the occasional but noteworthy clunky line with grace and sincerity.

Not far behind Amela, is Aron von Andrian who plays adult Phil. von Andrian, an English native, has numerous excellent moments throughout The Blind. At his strongest during Phil’s spiral into debauchery, which is the bulk of the film,  there is never a moment in which von Andrian does not appear fully invested in Robertson.

von Andrian’s commitment and obvious skill make it all the more frustrating when he has to deliver some of the film’s clunkiest and most artificial-sounding dialogue. There aren’t many instances of it, but when it occurs, Laurence Olivier ‘s prodigious talent wouldn’t have been sufficient to rescue it. Furthermore, von Andrian isn’t aided by some horrendously fake-looking beards and beard dye jobs or his native accent.

There are definitely a smattering of  Walking Dead “ Coral ” moments.

As engrossing as most of the film can be, there are a regrettable number of scenes in which the viewers are ripped away from their investment in the film’s reality to return to the duck blind in which von Andrian’s Robertson is telling his life’s story to an old friend. These and the copious voiceover narration are the film’s least impressive aspects. Not only do the interjections serve to arrest the movie’s momentum but they eat up time that would have been better spent showing us more of Phil’s journey and robs us of the full emotional impact of his miraculous transformation.

Furthermore, much like the moral of the story, that salvation isn’t complex but necessary, Robertson’s story isn’t complex and doesn’t require a narrator’s help for the audience to grasp the significance of its beats. It’s unfortunate that director Andrew Hyatt doesn’t seem to trust himself enough to show instead of say because when he’s on, he’s on. With these infrequent interruptions notwithstanding, Hyatt keeps things moving along at a crisp pace and tells a touching and heartfelt story.

Even though The Blind isn’t perfect, its story of redemption and perseverance in the face of personal demons and human frailty is one worth watching, and much like another surprisingly engaging and overtly Christian movie from earlier this year, Jesus Revolution , The Blind is a massive step forward in the quality of these types of films. We are happy to declare that The Blind is Worth it .

The Blind Role Models

While the film provides a number of examples of people in Phil and Kay Robertson’s lives who are worthy of emulation it’s the two themselves who are the standout role models. Kay’s willingness to forgive the deepest of betrayals is a testament to God’s love and forgiveness of us.

Moreover, while Phil’s early failings are far from behaviors worthy of duplication, his humbling of himself before our Creator and his commitment to Him as well as his recommitment to his family are. Everyone falls. Not everyone gets back up.

WOKE ELEMENTS

Get outta here with that nonsense.

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James Carrick

James Carrick is a passionate film enthusiast with a degree in theater and philosophy. James approaches dramatic criticism from a philosophic foundation grounded in aesthetics and ethics, offering insight and analysis that reveals layers of cinematic narrative with a touch of irreverence and a dash of snark.

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The Blind Parent Guide

This christian film tells a heartfelt story of family, faith and redemption..

Theaters: This biopic tells the story of how Phil Robertson overcame alcoholism and the pain of his past to become a successful father and founder of a business empire.

Release date October 6, 2023

Run Time: 108 minutes

Get Content Details

The guide to our grades, parent movie review by kirsten hawkes.

A drunk walks into a bar and decides to buy it as a way to curb his drinking and spend more time with his kids. No, this isn’t the beginning of a bad joke: it’s just one chapter in the life of Phil Robertson, later to become the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family .

Born into poverty in Louisiana, young Phil (Ronan Carroll) spends his childhood hunting to put food on the table while his father works on the oil rigs and his mother is repeatedly hospitalized for mental illness. He gains detailed knowledge of the woods and feels most truly at home there – a feeling that haunts him in university and while working after graduation. Despite his marriage to the devoted Miss Kay (Amelia Eve), Phil (now played by Aron von Andrian) remains restless. He struggles to focus on his teaching job and spends as much time as possible on the river and in the woods. Soon, Phil is drinking heavily which leads to unemployment, gambling, domestic violence, and neglect of his family as his life spirals ever closer to rock bottom.

The answer is in the movie’s name, which has a twofold meaning. First, it refers to a duck blind, a camouflaged shelter used by hunters so they will be less visible to their targets. Second, it refers to Phil’s own blindness regarding his life, specifically his spiritual blindness. When he experiences a religious conversion and returns to his outdoor roots, Phil finds hope, inspiration, and a clearer vision for supporting his family.

Regular readers of this website know that I frequently bemoan the quality of Christian films, but I don’t need to complain as much with this one. Yes, the frame narrative is wooden, the acting is occasionally flat, and the dialogue isn’t always believable, but this movie has heart and lacks the “plastic” feeling that is usually part of movies-with-a-message. Evangelical Christians will appreciate this representation of their faith and other Christians will find resonance too. Even if you’re not a religious believer, this story of personal redemption and its illustration of Christian conversion, shorn of politics and culture wars, is uplifting and hopeful. (Whether or not you want to stick around for Phil Robertson’s post-movie sermon is another matter.)

The biggest downside of The Blind is the negative content. Inevitably, a film about alcoholism will feature frequent bouts of excessive drinking, and this one adds cigarette smoking to the mix. Phil drives drunk, crashes his car, and abuses his wife - yelling, threatening, shoving and throwing things at her. Viewers with strong feelings about hunting or firearms will be unhappy about scenes of a child using a gun, and repeated images of birds being shot out of the sky. Parents will also be disturbed at the sight of children working in a bar, even if they aren’t serving alcohol.

I must admit that I expected to dislike this film, given that I loathe Duck Dynasty . Thankfully, this film eschews the culture wars of the TV series and tells a universal story of family resilience, redemption and growth. You don’t have to enjoy killing ducks to appreciate that message.

About author

Kirsten hawkes, watch the trailer for the blind.

The Blind Rating & Content Info

Why is The Blind rated PG-13? The Blind is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for thematic content and smoking

Violence: There are many hunting scenes where guns are fired and ducks fall from the sky. Dead birds are shown being carried by hunters. A mentally ill woman yells at and frightens her children. She later screams when she is taken to a mental hospital against her will. There are domestic violence scenes where a man yells at, threatens, shoves, and throws things at his wife. A drunk driver crashes his car into a tree. Sexual Content: A man and woman are seen kissing on a few occasions. A teenage girl gets pregnant before eventually marrying the father of her child. Profanity: The script contains a minor profanity and a scatological curse. Alcohol / Drug Use:   There are frequent scenes of adults drinking alcohol to excess. Alcoholism is a major theme of the movie and alcohol use is not glorified; in fact, its terrible consequences are clearly demonstrated. Adults smoke cigarettes.

Page last updated October 6, 2023

Related home video titles:

Another story of complicated relationships in a Christian family is The Hill , which is based on the true story of baseball player, Rickey Hill.

A real-life couple finds peace in their faith when they face a cancer diagnosis in I Still Believe .

Gospel music helps Aretha Franklin break free from her alcohol addiction in Respect.

Unbroken: Path to Redemption tells the story of Louis Zamperini, who endured a Japanese POW camp before returning home. This film covers is battles with alcohol and other challenges as he tries to adjust to civilian life.

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Drama about Duck Dynasty star has substance abuse, swearing.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

It's important to choose compassion and empathy ev

Phil is overcome in his adult life by alcoholism,

Main characters are White. Two supporting Black ch

Scenes with domestic violence, including punching

A making-out scene.

Infrequent swearing includes "damn" and "s--t."

Phil Robertson is well known as the personality be

Many scenes depicting Phil in the throes of alcoho

Parents need to know that The Blind is a faith-centered biopic about Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson (Aron von Andrian). Through a religious lens, it focuses on the idea of redemption and forgiveness. Mature content isn't constant but includes strong language ("damn," "s--t") and many scenes with or…

Positive Messages

It's important to choose compassion and empathy even in hard circumstances. The importance of humility, gratitude, courage, and self-control are also in play, especially when it comes to overcoming addiction.

Positive Role Models

Phil is overcome in his adult life by alcoholism, self-loathing, and abusive tantrums, possibly due to trauma he faced in relation to his unstable mother. But compassion and empathy of others -- including his siblings, his wife Kay (Amelia Eve), his local pastor -- and compassion for himself allow him to grow into a better father and husband. Phil's humility and gratitude keep him grounded in his new, faith-driven life. Phil also learns how to control himself amid temptation to go back to his old habits. Even though Phil starts out rocky, he shows how someone can become a better person by confronting unhealthy habits and problematic coping skills.

Diverse Representations

Main characters are White. Two supporting Black characters have a few lines: a Black woman to whom Phil sells fish (for her family's restaurant) and a man at a bar Phil frequents who gambles with Phil. Both characterizations are mostly benign, with a lean toward positive representation in the case of the woman. But women other than the main character's wife, Kay, are largely left out of the film. Kay does grow throughout her turbulent years with Phil while he's in the grip of alcoholism; when he kicks her and their children out of their home, she becomes more independent and self-sufficient. But she's also portrayed as unrealistically angelic, steadfast, and understanding, even when Phil is at his worst.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Scenes with domestic violence, including punching walls, flipping tables, violently pushing someone against a refrigerator, and more. Scene of a drunken car accident (Phil runs his truck into a tree). Hunting scenes with guns. Scenes of emotional violence, including hurtful, violent tantrums.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Phil Robertson is well known as the personality behind Duck Dynasty and its related products.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Many scenes depicting Phil in the throes of alcoholism. Smoking.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Blind is a faith-centered biopic about Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson (Aron von Andrian). Through a religious lens, it focuses on the idea of redemption and forgiveness. Mature content isn't constant but includes strong language ("damn," "s--t") and many scenes with or of drinking -- including alcohol addiction -- and smoking. There are scenes that could be considered domestic abuse, such as slamming walls, intimidation, flipping tables, and violent pushing. And some scenes depict hunting (the use of guns) and a violent but non-fatal car crash. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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Community Reviews

• Parents say (1)
• Kids say (2)

Based on 1 parent review

Great message

What's the story.

THE BLIND is based on the life of Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson (Aron von Andrian). It follows Robertson from childhood to adulthood, including his marriage to Kay (Amelia Eve). He must come to terms with his own turbulent childhood and his addiction to alcohol in order to regain himself, his family, and a renewed life.

Is It Any Good?

This is a compelling drama about the personal struggles and redemption of the man whose duck calls led to the popular hit reality series Duck Dynasty . Fans of that show might have already heard about Robertson's past issues related to addiction and the trauma of growing up with an unstable mother, but if you're new to his story, The Blind tells it with panache. The acting grabs you, especially as Robertson becomes more controlled by his dependency and self-loathing. As with any hero's journey, he must face his truest test -- himself -- to be able to come back from the brink.

Robertson has said that being baptized and finding God saved him from his various demons. This leads to proselytizing in the film that's both subtle and overt -- especially at the end, when the real Robertson, a Bible in his lap, talks to the camera about his personal journey, equating it to being in the grips of the devil, only to be saved by Jesus. If you're already religious or spiritual, you might feel comforted or recognize your own personal understanding of God in Robertson's words. But if you're not one for organized religion (or just don't like watching media that's intended as a preaching tool), The Blind might not be the best movie for you. Religion aside, however, The Blind can offer insight into the psychology that allows people like Robertson to feel renewed within the embrace of organized religion, especially if the message they find there helps them save themselves and their family.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how religion is used in The Blind . Is this a faith-based film? Why, or why not?

How is Phil's dependency on alcohol depicted? Does it feel truthful? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?

How is Kay characterized? Is her character realistic, or does she feel idealized?

How did Phil's childhood experiences affect his adult life? How does the film depict the way that people can grow from their prior experiences?

How accurate do you think the movie is to the facts of Phil's life? Why might filmmakers choose to adjust real events when making a movie based on real events?

Movie Details

• In theaters : September 28, 2023
• On DVD or streaming : November 14, 2023
• Cast : Aron von Andrian , Amelia Eve , John Ales , Connor Tillman
• Director : Andrew Hyatt
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : Fathom Events
• Genre : Drama
• Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Gratitude , Humility , Self-control
• Run time : 108 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : thematic content and smoking
• Last updated : December 5, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Long before Phil Robertson was a reality-TV star, he fell in love and started a family, but his demons threatened to tear their lives apart. This is the true story that started a dynasty. Long before Phil Robertson was a reality-TV star, he fell in love and started a family, but his demons threatened to tear their lives apart. This is the true story that started a dynasty. Long before Phil Robertson was a reality-TV star, he fell in love and started a family, but his demons threatened to tear their lives apart. This is the true story that started a dynasty.

• Andrew Hyatt
• Zach Dasher
• Stephanie Katz
• Aron von Andrian
• Matthew Erick White
• Ronan Carroll
• 55 User reviews
• 7 Critic reviews
• 1 nomination

• Phil Robertson

• Phil (High School)

• Kay Robertson

• Kay (High School)

• Pastor Bill Smith

• James Robertson

• Merritt Robertson

• Wanita Carroway

• Willie Carroway
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia This is the true-life story of Duck Dynasty's own Phil Robertson.
• Connections Referenced in Normal World: Normal World Christmas Special | Ep 71 (2023)
• Soundtracks All I Need Is You Performed by Dick Curless Written by Harley Hatcher Courtesy of Curb Records By arrangement with Fine Gold Music

User reviews 55

• bryantmadeline
• Nov 21, 2023
• How long is The Blind? Powered by Alexa
• Does this film feature shaky camera work?
• September 28, 2023 (United States)
• United States
• Official Website
• Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
• GND Media Group
• Stacey Films
• Tread Lively
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $17,265,487
• Oct 1, 2023

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 48 minutes

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2023 Directed by Andrew Hyatt

Long before Phil Robertson was a reality-TV star, he fell in love and started a family, but his demons threatened to tear their lives apart. This is the true story that started a dynasty.

Aron von Andrian Amelia Eve Scarlett Abinante Matthew Erick White Ronan Carroll Brielle Robillard Aaron Dalla Villa Brasher Russell Grant Davidson Jackson Dean Vincent Connor Beckham Connor Tillman John Ales Kerry Knuppe Clint James Emily DeForest Tom McCafferty Whitney Goin Royal Allen Juliana Herrin Kaelyn Wilkins Ruth Reynolds Vernae Ewing Nick Milone

Director Director

Andrew Hyatt

Producers Producers

Willie Robertson Korie Robertson Cole Prine Zach Dasher Brittany Yost

Writers Writers

Stephanie Katz Andrew Hyatt

Editor Editor

Cinematography cinematography.

Chris Stacey

Executive Producers Exec. Producers

Troy Duhon Jeremy John Wells Bob Katz

Composer Composer

Sean Philip Johnson

Tread Lively GND Media Group Fathom Events Stacey Films

Alternative Title

Family Drama

Faith and religion Religious faith, sin, and forgiveness Faith and spiritual journeys Emotional and touching family dramas Holiday joy and heartwarming Christmas Heartbreaking and moving family drama Show All…

Releases by Date

28 sep 2023, 06 oct 2023, 03 nov 2023, 14 nov 2023, releases by country.

• Theatrical 14A
• Theatrical PG-13
• Digital PG-13
• Physical PG-13

110 mins   More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Review by 🏳️‍⚧️💕Belle Estelle💕🏳️‍⚧️ ½ 9

Did they name this film after the cinematographer? Because I can’t believe this movie was as poorly shot as it was. Also a really bad faith based drama too with the melodrama and repeated things for its whole runtime. There was a point in this where I was just trying to do anything to entertain myself from this extremely boring film. 

The acting in the serious moments had me laughing which I don’t think this sold out crowd appreciated. 

This movie is ass, we didn’t need the duck dynasty origin story. Rest in piece ducks, you got killed by a heartless hillbilly. 

Very cringe movie that’s not necessary, should have been a duck dynasty tv special or something. Not something that played in a theater.

Review by emmagracef ★★★

this is gonna EAT at triangle baptist church movie night

Review by ethanjohnk ★★★

I think I'm the only guy that's not wearing jeans in the theater right now.

Review by mo ★★½

he was hunting, fishing, but NOT loving every day

Review by gracieparke ★★★★ 1

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

Review by B E R T ★★★

Redneck Christian cinema with a Vaseline filter. I dig it.

I love that Amelia Eve went from playing an iconic lesbian in The Haunting of Bly Manor to a devout Christian mother of an endless amount of children, the RANGE!!

Review by Late Movie Reviews ½ 5

The title “The Blind” is in reference to the cinematographer who was apparently fucking blind on set.

Manipulative ma·nip·u·la·tive Adjective Characterized by unscrupulous control of a situation or person.

It’s like the goal of this movie was to make me not give a shit. Hey how come they left out the part where Phil Robinson said homophobic shit and then used the Bible as an excuse? Fucking boring movie that has the all time record for most eye rolls I’ve given while watching a movie. This wasn’t a half star at first. Then I remembered how overly long and preachy and manipulative this incompetent piece of filmmaking is. Perhaps this was just made to convince people that Phil…

Review by alyssahyo ★★★★

uncle si… smash

Review by Blaine ★ 1

Putting amelia eve in a wig that bad is not in the bible

Review by Speednik ★★★½

Solid drama about a man’s descent into alcoholism and abuse with his later redemption through faith in God and family

It’s not gonna win any Oscars, but I can think of far worse ways to kill two hours.

Review by a ★ 2

me watching this movie: okay this is kinda random for a christian movie i guess. i feel like they haven’t really described christianity like if i didn’t know what christianity was i would know what it is you know what i mean 

me after finding out through the credits that this is based on the duck dynasty guy: was anyone gonna tell me this movie was the duck dynasty guy’s biopic or was i just gonna have to find out through him delivering a sermon after the movie?

Review by Isaiah Smith ★★★★★

“ How you gotta come to the end of yourself , to find the beginning of God” . 

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The Blind Side

Reviewed by: Scott Brennan CONTRIBUTOR

Thankfulness to God

“B lind-sided” might well have described me this past June, when I slipped into a theater to catch Sandra Bullock in “ The Proposal ”—something I should never have done without having read some reviews on Christian Spotlight in advance. Like many “believers,” I was offended by several things in the film, not the least of which was the gratuitous nude scene that Sandra agreed to do for director, Anne Fletcher. Call me naïve, but it just didn’t fit with the girl-next-door image Miss Bullock had been known for in previous romantic comedies. That being said, I entered the theater today to see her newest film, “The Blind Side,” with my guard up.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to keep it up for long. It was clear within about 30 minutes that this was going to be a very different kind of film. That’s not to say that this is a family movie by any means. It earned the PG-13 rating it received, and, from a Christian perspective, there were a couple of difficult scenes laced with drugs, violence, and sexual innuendo to be endured during the film. Nonetheless, the director was well able to communicate the importance of family , and “doing good ”—“Because it’s the right thing to do,” as Bullock’s character announced early on in the film. In addition to directing this film, John Lee Hancock (“ The Rookie ,” “ The Alamo ”) also wrote the screenplay as an adaption of Michael Lewis’s book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.

The genre is a familiar one: a sports-oriented spectacular that fills the screen, plays on the heart, and is often based on a true story—“ Remember the Titans ” and “Cool Runnings” come to mind. The good news for many potential viewers of “The Blind Side,” is that it’s about football, and I’m not just talking any football. I mean southern college football, which is a world unto itself. Fans of college football will love the appearances of coaches like Phil Fulmer, Tommy Tuberville, Houston Nutt, Lou Holtz and Nick Saban who play themselves in the film—all basically chomping at the bit to get the main character, Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) to accept a scholarship with their school. But for those who aren’t even armchair quarterbacks, and really don’t know the difference between a field goal and a touchdown, you won’t feel left out. The movie isn’t really about football. It’s about choices. Often those choices are difficult, and they present themselves at the most unlikely times, hence “The Blind Side,” theme.

Don’t get me wrong, for the superficial viewers, there’s plenty of football, tackles, slow motion replays and an enthusiasm for the game throughout the film, and they won’t be disappointed. But let’s face it, if the only conflict in a film (or in life) is learning how to overcome your opponent on a football field while becoming a top offensive left tackle, then you don’t have much of a story, now, do you. Hancock takes us on a journey into the lives of a well-to-do, upper middle class white family (who loves football—nearly to the point of idolatry) and exposes us to situations that they are faced with as a Michael Oher emerges on the stage of their seemingly perfect life.

At the helm of the family is Sean Tuohy, Taco Bell owner and Tennessee businessman, portrayed by Tim McGraw , who seemed to adapt nicely into his role as husband and father. But it was Leigh Anne Tuohy ( Sandra Bullock ) who was the tough, charismatic, and feisty southern belle who lit up the screen, and pretty much ruled the roost as the matriarch—pretending to acquiesce to her husband when necessary. On a surface level, her sassy, strong performance satisfies the audience, but her character runs deeper, and it shows.

That leads to the next level of viewer—one that looks for the subplots. I have already heard that some critics are talking about “white guilt” and how the movie seemed to exaggerate on that theme, detracting from the overall storyline. (I disagree with that characterization. I don’t think it was about white guilt at all. They missed the point.) Some liked the emphasis on education and its importance in maintaining good standing in both high school and college sports. But the more powerful insights for this level of viewer will be developed from watching Michael grow as a young African-American teen —one that was swooped up out of a life of homelessness and misery into a world he knew nothing about, and then be challenged to achieve his full potential.

This is done in with a superb performance by Jae Head, who plays SJ (Sean Jr.) Tuohy, and creates an inspiring, fun-loving, color-blind brother that the audience falls in love with in every scene. In addition, Quinton Aaron, newcomer to the big screen, seemed to find his niche and communicated a more than believable Michael Oher. Other supporting roles by the Tuohy sister Collins ( Lily Collins ), the high school coach (Ray McKinnon), as well as his tutor from Ole’ Miss (Kathy Bates), also helped make the film gel as a whole.

This leads to my final comments for the believer. Woven throughout the film is an ongoing sense of “ thanksgiving ”—one that we as believers should always have running in the background on our spiritual hard drives ( 1 Thes. 5:15 ). There were a few really great moments in the film when Leigh Anne truly took stock about how much God had blessed her and her family, and she communicated those moments with just a look or a touch, subtly yet powerfully. But the amazing part was that she didn’t really see it, until she had stepped out of her comfort zone and acted as the Good Samaritan did in the biblical parable of the same in Luke 10 . And Jesus asked “who was the righteous one?” inferring the Good Samaritan. And the man replied, “The one who showed him mercy .” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” The tipping point for me (in terms of deciding whether or not this film was worth the price of admission) came when Leigh Anne (Bullock) met with Michael Oher’s mother in the film to ask for permission to do something (won’t spoil), and showing mercy just like Jesus commanded in that parable. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. That’s the kind of moment you look for in every film.

Objectionable issues

Those positives aside, there were a few spots that could have been edited out, and it wouldn’t have made the film any less powerful or believable. The use of the words “Mother of God” as a response from the coach (sure to offend some Catholics), the arbitrary use of the words: “ass” (1) “frickin’, (2) “fat a_s” (1)—although they built into the script Leigh Anne saying, “We don’t use that word in this house,” bit_h (2) and “dam_” (1 time). In addition, Leigh Anne said a couple of things that seemed out of character for her role—like the “b” word and “I’m packing’” along with, “Michael, if you get any young woman on this campus pregnant, I’m gonna come down here and cut your pen_s off!” And finally, when she made the comment about Nick Saban, “I find him extremely attractive,” and did so right in front of her husband. It may have happened in real life, but I didn’t buy it, and it still played poorly on screen. The other sexual innuendos and drug scenes were short and important for the storyline, but may be objectionable for some viewers. And finally, the length of the film was a bit much, although, I so appreciate the work of artists—that I wouldn’t have known what to cut either.

With those negatives out of the way I’d like to end on a more positive note. For the mature Christian, you can’t watch the film without being challenged as to whether or not you are really “walking the walk.” And even after you “do what is right,” you need to check the motives of your heart, just like Leigh Anne and Sean did in the film. Not wanting to reveal the dénouement, I won’t say more than that. But what I will say is that Christians will be known for what they do, and how they love one another—far more than for what they say. The Tuohy’s actions were not fiction, and their story will be told around the world, and let the praise go to God. I caught a recent clip of Sandra Bullock sharing about how she’d finally seen someone in her life (speaking of getting to know Leigh Anne) that really lived what she believed and didn’t just preach about it. This ordinary event had an extraordinary outcome, simply because one person made a “choice” to do the right thing in the “valley of decision.” There is always someone hanging by the sidelines saying things like, “why can’t something like that ever happen to me?” Leigh Anne Tuohy has an answer for that:

“I am telling you there are Michael Ohers everywhere—wonderful kids who need a home, who want a family. It doesn’t take much searching out, because they are right under your nose. And they don’t need to be brilliant at football. They don’t need to be someone who excels at anything other than loving you and wanting love in return.”

Do you need to see this movie to get these insights? Probably not. Should you? That will have to be your decision. But I will say this, if I had to spend time with my teens in a movie theater over the holidays, it would most certainly be watching this film instead of one about ungodly attractions between vampires and humans. Besides, not since the movie “ Crash ,” has Sandra Bullock demonstrated this kind of artistic talent on screen. I’m hearing the Oscar buzz already. For the rest of you, pop your popcorn and wait for the DVD. But for all us, this line from the film applies no matter what we do: “Life—It’s about to be defined by what you cannot see.” That is “the Blind Side.”

Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Mild / Sex/Nudity: None

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers .

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THE BLIND SIDE

"inspiring true story of faith and hope".

What You Need To Know:

(CCC, BBB, CapCapCap, AB, L, V, S, DD, M) Very strong Christian, moral worldview with very strong pro-capitalist values where characters pray and take actions to help an older teenager prompted by their Christian faith, including help him achieve and reach college, plus minor character expresses doubts about religion; two light obscenities, no profanities, two racial slurs, and discussion of male genitalia; man threatens with gun, man shoves another man, close up of football tackles, and car accident with some minor blood stains on shirt; married couple in bed together kiss and light discussion of sex in two scenes, including scene where mean thug makes euphemistic sexual insinuations about teenager’s adoptive mother and sister; no nudity; no alcohol; no smoking and discussion of drug use by biological mom of main character, who is sent into foster care because of mom’s addiction; and, lying.

More Detail:

THE BLIND SIDE is a compelling, feel great drama that tells the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless young man who is welcomed into a Christian family. Michael went into foster care because his mom could not care for him because of her drug addiction. Michael, now a senior in high school, ends up literally living on the street with no possessions and no real hope.

Leigh Anne, a wealthy mom, discovers Michael and gives him a place to stay for one night. That one night becomes many, and Michael moves in with Leigh Anne and her family. They put Michael in an upscale private Christian high school. At first, the school is reluctant to take Michael in because of his poor academic record. However, the coach reminds them that they are a Christian school and need to look out for young men like Michael, or they need to paint over the Christian part of their name.

Michael slowly learns to trust Leigh Anne, and her family embraces him. Michael, who is typically quiet and withdrawn, very slowly begins to open up to them and even starts to smile.

When Michael’s grades improve, he joins the football team. Being a very large young man, Michael is given the job of blocking for the quarterback. At first Michael, who’s never played football before, is not aggressive enough. In fact, it turns out that the coach was hoping that a boy from “the streets” would be violent.

However, Leigh Anne understands Michael and remembers that he had scored high on “protectiveness” on a school test. She helps Michael see that protecting the quarterback is like protecting her or protecting the family.

This change in perspective turns Michael into a star player. As the season progresses, colleges begin to recruit Michael. Soon he’s off to Leigh Anne and her husband’s alma mater, but the NCAA suddenly is accusing them of conflict of interest.

THE BLIND SIDE is an excellent, uplifting movie with fine storytelling. It is a small movie with conflicts that hit home but are not earth shaking. In fact, the subtle conflict is maybe the movie’s biggest flaw.

Sandra Bullock is convincing as a Southern woman who wants to help others amidst her socialite friends who don’t understand why a white, wealthy family would take in a homeless black boy. Quinton Aaron plays Michael and gives a very subtle performance of a character who speaks very little.

The directing in THE BLIND SIDE is very surefooted. Also, the story never lags and carries profound emotional depth.

There is a very strong message of Christian faith in THE BLIND SIDE. It’s very clear that Leigh Anne helps Michael because she is a Christian and thinks it’s the right thing to do. They pray around the table and speak freely about their faith. The biblical admonition to care for orphans is lived out by this family.

There is some content that requires discernment. The tutor who is hired to work with Michael says she has doubts about religion. Later, she lies to convince him to go to a certain school. There is some talk concerning sexual relations and male private parts. There is one scene when Michael returns to his old neighborhood and gets into a fight as well as a car crash, but no one is hurt.

All in all, the message of faith and hope in THE BLIND SIDE is very clear, and the drama is terrifically poignant.

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The Blind Side Shows Faith in Action

• Christian Hamaker Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
• Updated Mar 25, 2010

DVD Release Date:   March 23, 2010  Theatrical Release Date:   November 20, 2009 Rating:   PG-13 (for one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references) Genre:   Drama, Adaptation Run Time:   126 min. Director:   John Lee Hancock Actors:   Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron, Jae Head, Lily Collins, Kathy Bates, Ray McKinnon Sandra Bullock is having quite a year. After burnishing her star power with the summer hit the proposal , Bullock embodies Southern dynamo Leigh Anne Tuohy in  the blind side and, in the process, creates one of the year's more memorable characters. And she's no fictional creation.

This adaptation of a Michael Lewis book ( The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game ) tells the true story Michael Oher ( Quinton Aaron ), a gentle hulk of a boy who, through some string-pulling by concerned relatives, gains admission to the same Christian school the Tuohy children attend in Memphis. His IQ of 80 and grade point average of 0.6 present obvious challenges for his teachers and his unwillingness to do any homework is jeopardizing his future at the school.

His one hope, in the eyes of the school, is football—although Oher never has played the game. It's the school's football coach ( Ray McKinnon ) who, after one look at Oher, makes it his mission to develop Oher into a star athlete.

Tuohy also learns that while Oher's academic scores are low, his commitment to protection of those he cares about couldn't be higher. When the efforts of the school's football coach to groom Oher as a star football player meet middling results, it's Leigh Anne's appeal to Oher's protective streak that spark his inspired new level of play. He not only protects the quarterback but demolishes defenders standing between the team's running backs and the end zone.

The social consequences of the Tuohys' decision are predictable. Leigh Anne's all-white social circle can't figure out a way to politely express their concerns (does Leigh Anne fear that her daughter might be sexually assaulted by Oher?) while the same daughter works up the courage to make a statement of solidarity with Michael by sitting next to him at school.

The Tuohys' altruism could be perceived as self-congratulatory, but the film presents the very real possibility that Michael might pack up and leave the Tuohys' home at any moment in an effort to track down his birth mom. Nevertheless, it's clear throughout the film who has the most to lose from such a decision, and it's refreshing when one of the white characters, prompted to extol her positive impact on the life of this less privileged athlete, comments that she's not changing him—it's the other way around.

Director John Lee Hancock , whose earlier film The Rookie (2002) was one of the best family-friendly films of the decade, guides Bullock and Aaron to fine performances, while McGraw and Kathy Bates are enjoyable, if a bit underused.

Questions? Comments? Contact the writer at [email protected] .

• Language/Profanity:   Racial epithets; "Mother of God"; "kicking butt"; "don't get your panties in a wad"; "God bless me"; anatomical reference to a topless bar.
• Smoking/Drinking/Drugs:   A few scenes of drinking; drugs are shown; reference to a woman who's "on that crack pipe"; a man prefaces a phone message by saying he's had "five cold ones"; a drug dealer mentions that a certain woman usually "stops by for a taste"; Michael remembers how his mother wanted to keep him from seeing her do drugs.
• Sex/Nudity:   None. A discussion of football players who are "wide in the butt" set to shots of said players; a married couple kisses in bed, and the husband wants to go further; concerns expressed about a black boy possibly endangering the Tuohys' daughter; a woman slaps another man's backside; players ogle Leigh Anne from behind as she walks away; verbal reference to "mommy/daughter action"; Leigh Anne threatens to cut off Michael's penis if he impregnates a girl.
• Violence/Crime:   Hard-hitting football scenes, including replays of Joe Theismann's leg getting broken during a tackle by Lawrence Taylor; car crash; blood-stained clothes; handguns are fired during an altercation.
• Religion:    Matthew 19:26 is displayed on a school sign, but the word "impossible" appears as "possible"; discussion of what the Christian thing to do is in regard to Oher's future; Leigh Anne says grace before the family eats dinner; Le Anne wears a cross necklace; a woman says she wasn't spiritual enough to be hired, and that she has certain doubts; Leigh Anne says, "I suppose I have God to thank" for Michael's presence in her life.

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Is The Blind Side A Christian Movie? Explained

One of the most beloved and acclaimed sports movies of the 21st century is “The Blind Side”. Based on a true story, it follows the journey of Michael Oher , a homeless and underprivileged young man who finds hope and support from a wealthy Christian family.

With themes of faith, compassion, and redemption, many viewers have wondered if “The Blind Side” can be considered a Christian movie . In this article, we’ll explore the connections between the film and Christianity, as well as its impact on the Christian community and broader culture.

Whether you’re a fan of the movie or simply interested in exploring the intersection of sports and faith, this article will offer valuable insights into the enduring legacy of “The Blind Side”. Keep reading to discover why this movie continues to inspire and resonate with audiences around the world.

The Blind Side plot summary

“The Blind Side” tells the story of Michael Oher , a homeless and traumatized boy who is taken in by the wealthy and loving Tuohy family. As he adjusts to his new life, Michael discovers his talent for football and becomes a star player on his high school team.

The movie depicts the challenges Michael faces both on and off the field, as he grapples with his past, his identity, and his dreams for the future. With the help of his adoptive parents and his football coach, Michael learns to overcome adversity and embrace his potential.

One of the central themes of the movie is the importance of family , both biological and chosen. Michael’s bond with the Tuohys deepens over time, as they provide him with the love, guidance, and stability he has been missing in his life.

“The Blind Side” is also a powerful commentary on socioeconomic inequality and the challenges faced by disadvantaged youth in America. Through Michael’s story, the movie highlights the need for compassion, empathy, and systemic change to address these issues.

The story of Michael Oher

Early life and struggles: Michael Oher was born into poverty and faced numerous challenges growing up, including a broken family, homelessness, and educational barriers.

The Tuohy family’s intervention: Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, a wealthy white couple, took Michael in and provided him with a stable home, education, and support.

Michael’s success on the football field: With the help of the Tuohy family and his natural athletic ability, Michael became a standout high school football player and ultimately earned a scholarship to play at the University of Mississippi.

Michael’s impact beyond football: The Blind Side not only tells the story of Michael Oher’s football success but also highlights his character, resilience, and the importance of family and community support in overcoming adversity.

The story of Michael Oher is one of triumph over adversity and the power of love and support in making a difference in someone’s life. The Blind Side movie brings Michael’s story to life, and its impact has resonated with audiences worldwide.

The Tuohy family’s influence on Michael’s life

• Adopted by the Tuohys: Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy adopted Michael and welcomed him into their family, providing him with a stable home life and a supportive environment.
• Academic and athletic success: With the Tuohys’ encouragement, Michael excelled academically and athletically, becoming a star football player in high school and earning a scholarship to play at the University of Mississippi.
• Mentoring and guidance: The Tuohys provided Michael with guidance and support as he adjusted to his new life, helping him navigate challenges and make important decisions about his future.
• Christian values: The Tuohys’ strong Christian faith and values had a profound impact on Michael, who had never before experienced such a loving and supportive family. Their influence helped shape Michael into the successful and compassionate person he is today.

The Tuohys’ influence on Michael’s life is a powerful example of the transformative power of love and the impact that a supportive family can have on a person’s life. Their story is a testament to the importance of compassion and empathy, and the profound impact that one person can have on the life of another.

The Blind Side movie production details

John Lee Hancock directed and wrote the screenplay for the movie, which is based on the book “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game” by Michael Lewis . The film’s budget was approximately $29 million, and it was produced by Alcon Entertainment and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It was filmed on location in Atlanta, Georgia, and additional scenes were shot in Los Angeles, California.

The casting process for the movie was extensive, and many actors were considered for the lead roles of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy before Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw were ultimately chosen. Quinton Aaron was cast as Michael Oher, and the film also features Kathy Bates, Lily Collins, and Jae Head in supporting roles.

The Blind Side was released in theaters on November 20, 2009, and it received positive reviews from critics. It was a commercial success, grossing over $300 million worldwide and earning Bullock an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Casting of the film

The casting of Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Tuohy was met with some controversy. Bullock, who won an Academy Award for her performance, was criticized for taking on the role of a white savior. However, many praised her acting and dedication to the role.

Playing the role of Michael Oher was a challenge due to the physical demands of the character. Quinton Aaron , a former high school football player, was chosen for the role after an extensive audition process.

The casting of the supporting roles was equally important to the success of the film. Tim McGraw played Leigh Anne’s husband, Sean Tuohy, while Lily Collins portrayed their daughter, Collins Tuohy. Jae Head played their son, S.J. Tuohy.

The casting choices of The Blind Side have been widely praised, with many critics highlighting the chemistry between the actors and their ability to bring the real-life story to the screen.

The Blind Side’s connection to Christianity

Christian themes in the film

Real-life Christian connections

Controversy surrounding the film’s portrayal of Christianity

The Blind Side’s impact on Christian audiences

Faith as a central theme in the movie

Faith is a significant element in the movie, serving as a driving force for the characters. The main protagonist’s unwavering belief in a higher power helps her to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

The movie explores the concept of faith in a variety of ways, depicting the struggle to hold on to one’s beliefs in the face of adversity. The characters’ faith is tested through personal tragedy and societal pressures, highlighting the resilience and power of unwavering conviction.

Religion also plays a crucial role in the movie, with characters turning to their faith as a source of comfort and guidance. The film depicts the role of religion in people’s lives, highlighting its ability to provide hope, solace, and a sense of community.

At its core, the movie is a powerful exploration of the human spirit, demonstrating the transformative power of faith and the strength that it provides in even the darkest of times. The film’s themes are universal, resonating with audiences regardless of their individual beliefs or backgrounds.

The movie’s portrayal of faith is nuanced and complex, exploring both the beauty and the challenges of belief. It depicts the role of faith in shaping our lives and the power it has to help us overcome adversity. By highlighting the importance of faith and religion in people’s lives, the movie serves as a poignant reminder of the strength that comes from holding onto our convictions.

The movie’s exploration of faith is a powerful reminder of the importance of holding onto our convictions and the transformative power of belief. It illustrates the role of faith in shaping our lives, providing hope and solace in even the darkest of times. By examining the complexities and nuances of faith, the movie highlights the strength that comes from holding onto our beliefs and trusting in something greater than ourselves.

The Blind Side’s impact on the Christian community

Since its release in 2009, The Blind Side has become a beloved film among Christian audiences. One reason for this is its emphasis on the importance of faith and grace in transforming lives. The movie tells the true story of Leigh Anne Tuohy and her family, who take in a homeless African American teenager and help him achieve his dreams of playing football at a high level.

Many Christians have praised the film for its inspiring message and positive portrayal of family values. The movie highlights the power of love and compassion to make a difference in the world, a message that resonates with many Christian viewers. Some have even used the film as a tool for evangelism, sharing its message of hope and redemption with others.

The Blind Side has also had a significant impact on Christian popular culture. The film’s themes of compassion and grace have been echoed in sermons, books, and other media. Michael Oher, the real-life football player portrayed in the movie, has become a motivational speaker and advocate for foster children and adoption, further spreading the message of the film.

Overall, The Blind Side’s impact on the Christian community can be seen in its emphasis on the importance of family, faith, and compassion. The movie has inspired many to act on their beliefs and make a difference in the lives of those around them.

The movie’s popularity among Christian audiences

The Blind Side has become a beloved film among Christian audiences, grossing over $300 million worldwide since its release in 200The movie’s positive portrayal of family values , faith , and compassion has resonated with many Christians, who have praised the film for its inspiring message and heartwarming story.

One reason for the movie’s popularity among Christian audiences is its emphasis on the transformative power of grace . The film portrays the story of Michael Oher, a homeless African American teenager who is taken in by a wealthy white family, who help him achieve his dreams of playing football at a high level. The Tuohy family’s unconditional love and support for Michael highlights the transformative power of grace and forgiveness, a message that is central to the Christian faith.

The movie’s popularity among Christian audiences has also been attributed to its emphasis on the importance of community . The Tuohy family’s decision to take in Michael is not just an act of charity, but a recognition of their responsibility to serve their community and make a difference in the lives of others. This message of community and service is a central theme of the Christian faith and has resonated with many viewers.

The Blind Side’s reception and controversy

Despite its commercial and critical success, The Blind Side has been subject to some controversy, mainly due to its portrayal of race and class. Some critics have argued that the film reinforces a white savior narrative, with a wealthy white family coming to the rescue of a poor black teenager.

Others have pointed out that the film simplifies complex issues related to race and poverty, and that it perpetuates stereotypes about African Americans. Some have also criticized the film for not giving enough agency to its black characters, and for downplaying the role of the real-life Michael Oher in his own success story.

Despite these criticisms, the film has been embraced by many audiences, including members of the Christian community. The film’s uplifting message of faith, family, and self-improvement has resonated with many viewers, who have praised the performances of Sandra Bullock and Quinton Aaron.

The film’s success has also led to increased awareness of Michael Oher’s story and has helped to raise important questions about race and privilege in America. While some may disagree with the film’s portrayal of these issues, there is no doubt that The Blind Side has sparked important conversations and has left a lasting impact on its viewers.

The movie’s critical and box office success

The Blind Side was both a critical and commercial success. It received positive reviews from film critics and audiences alike. Rotten Tomatoes, a popular review aggregator website, gave the film an approval rating of 66%, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The website’s consensus reads, “It might strike some viewers as a little too pat, but The Blind Side has the benefit of strong source material and a strong performance from Sandra Bullock.”

The movie was also a box office success, grossing over $300 million worldwide against a budget of $29 million. It was one of the highest-grossing films of 2009 and the highest-grossing sports drama film of all time.

The Blind Side was nominated for two Academy Awards, with Sandra Bullock winning the Best Actress award for her performance in the film. It also won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Drama Movie in 2010.

The success of The Blind Side led to renewed interest in the story of Michael Oher and inspired many viewers to learn more about him and his life story. The movie also helped to launch the career of Quinton Aaron, who portrayed Michael Oher in the film.

The Blind Side’s relevance to today’s culture

The movie’s portrayal of race relations and the importance of family has resonated with audiences across generations. It highlights the power of compassion and the potential for individuals to make a difference in the lives of those around them. This message is particularly important in today’s society, where many individuals feel disconnected and marginalized.

Furthermore, the movie’s depiction of the importance of education and the role it plays in achieving success is a message that still holds true today. It reinforces the idea that everyone deserves access to a quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The Blind Side also raises important questions about the intersection of sports and society, particularly in relation to the exploitation of athletes and the potential for sports to bring communities together. As sports continue to play a significant role in our culture, these questions remain relevant and worthy of discussion.

Michael Oher’s ongoing impact and legacy

Inspiration: Michael Oher’s story continues to inspire people around the world. Many have found strength and hope in his journey from homelessness to NFL stardom.

Philanthropy: Oher has used his platform to give back to the community. He established the “Michael Oher Foundation” to help disadvantaged youth and support educational programs.

Social Justice: Oher has also been a vocal advocate for social justice issues. He has spoken out against police brutality and racism, and has used his platform to promote equality and justice for all.

Representation: Finally, Michael Oher’s story has helped to increase representation and diversity in popular culture. His story has shown that people of all backgrounds and abilities can achieve greatness with hard work, perseverance, and the support of their community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the themes in the blind side that relate to christianity.

The Blind Side features themes of compassion, selflessness, and faith that are central to Christian beliefs. The movie portrays characters who act in ways that reflect Christian values and attitudes, making it a favorite among Christian audiences.

Does the movie overtly promote Christian beliefs?

While The Blind Side does not overtly promote Christian beliefs or evangelize viewers, it does feature characters who openly discuss their faith and how it shapes their actions. The movie may be seen as a reflection of Christian values and attitudes rather than an explicit promotion of Christian beliefs.

Is The Blind Side a family-friendly movie?

The Blind Side is generally considered a family-friendly movie due to its positive messages and lack of explicit content. While there are some scenes with mild language and references to sensitive topics, the overall tone and message of the movie is appropriate for viewers of all ages.

How has the Christian community responded to The Blind Side?

The Christian community has embraced The Blind Side as a movie that reflects their values and promotes positive messages. Many churches have used the movie in youth groups or as part of their outreach efforts, and it has been widely discussed in Christian media outlets.

Has The Blind Side faced any controversy due to its religious themes?

While The Blind Side has not faced significant controversy due to its religious themes, there have been some criticisms that the movie portrays white saviorism and reinforces stereotypes about race and poverty. These criticisms have led to debates about the movie’s messaging and cultural impact.

Can non-Christian viewers still enjoy The Blind Side?

Non-Christian viewers can still enjoy The Blind Side as a well-crafted movie with strong performances and a heartwarming story. While the movie does feature Christian themes and characters, it is ultimately a story about human connection and the power of love, which can resonate with viewers of any faith or background.

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‘Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy’ Review: A Scary Look at the Potential Soldiers of a Second Trump Reign

The followers of Christian Nationalism want a theocracy. Stephen Ujlaki and Chris Jones's chilling film suggests that another Trump presidency could help them get it.

By Owen Gleiberman

Owen Gleiberman

Chief Film Critic

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The alliance between Trump and Christian Nationalism is a profound one. Progressives tend to be focused, to the point of obsession, on the hypocrisy of the alliance — the idea that men and women who are supposedly devoted to the teachings of Jesus Christ could rally behind a sinner and law-breaker like Trump, who seems the incarnation of everything they should be against. The documentary fills in their longstanding justification: that Trump is seen as a modern-day version of King Cyrus, a pagan who God used as a tool to help the people. According to this mode of opportunistic logic, Trump doesn’t need to be a pious Christian; his very recklessness makes him part of a grander design. The Christian Nationalists view Trump much as his disgruntled base of working-class nihilist supporters have always viewed him — as a kind of holy wrecking ball.    

But, of course, that’s just the rationalization. “Bad Faith” captures the intricacy with which Trump, like certain Republicans before him, has struck a deal with the Christian Right that benefits both parties. In exchange for their support in 2016, he agreed to back a slate of judicial appointees to their liking, and to come over to their side on abortion. Trump’s victory in 2016, like Reagan’s in 1980, was sealed by the support of the Christian Right. But what he’s promising them this time is the very destruction of the American system that they have long sought.   

The most chilling aspect of “Bad Faith” is that, in tracing the roots of the Christian Right, the movie colors in how the dream of theocracy has been the movement’s underlying motivation from almost the start. In 1980, when the so-called Moral Majority came into existence, its leader, Jerry Falwell, got all the attention. (A corrupt quirk of the movement is that as televangelists like Falwell, Pat Robertson, and, later on, Joel Osteen became rich and famous, their wealth was presented as evidence that God had chosen them to lead.) But Falwell, despite the headlines he grabbed, wasn’t the visionary organizer of the Moral Majority.

That was Paul Weyrich, the owlish conservative religious activist who founded the hugely influential Council for National Policy, which spearheaded the structural fusion of Christianity and right-wing politics. He’s the one who went to Falwell and Robertson and collated their lists of supporters into a Christian political machine that could become larger than the sum of its parts. The machine encompassed a network of 72,000 preachers, it employed sophisticated methods of micro-targeting, and its impetus was to transform Evangelical Christianity into a movement that was fundamentally political. The G.O.P. became “God’s own party,” and the election of Reagan was the Evangelicals’ first victory. We see a clip of Reagan saying how he plans to “make America great again,” which is the tip of the iceberg of how much the Trump playbook got from him.

Randall Balmer, the Ivy League historian of American religion who wrote the book “Bad Faith,” is interviewed in the documentary, and he makes a fascinating point: that there’s a mythology that the Christian Right was first galvanized, in 1973, by Roe v. Wade — but that, in fact, that’s not true. Jerry Falwell didn’t deliver his first anti-abortion sermon until 1978. According to Balmer, the moment that galvanized the Christian Right was the 1971 lower-court ruling on school desegregation that held that any institution that engages in racial discrimination or segregation is not, by definition, a charitable institution, and therefore has no claim to tax-exempt status.

This had an incendiary effect. Churches like Jerry Falwell’s were not integrated and didn’t want to be; yet they also wanted their tax-exempt status. It was this law that touched off the anti-government underpinnings of the Christian Right, much as the sieges of Ruby Ridge and Waco became the seeds of the alt-right. And it sealed the notion that Christian Nationalism and White Nationalism were joined at the hip, a union that went back to the historical fusion of the two in the Ku Klux Klan’s brand of Christian terrorism.

“Bad Faith” makes a powerful case that Christian Nationalism is built on a lie: the shibboleth that America was originally established as a “Christian nation.” It’s true to say that the Founders drew on the moral traditions of Judeo-Christian culture. Yet the freedom of religion in the First Amendment was put there precisely as a guard against religious tyranny. It was, at the time, a radical idea: that the people would determine how — and what God — they wanted to worship. In truth, Christian Nationalism undermines not only the freedoms enshrined by the Constitution but the very concept of free will that’s at the heart of Christian theology. You can’t choose to be a follower of Christ if that belief is imposed on you.

Reviewed online, April 2, 2024. Running time: 88 MIN.

• Production: A Heretical Reason Productions, Panarea production. Producers: Stephen Ujlaki, Chris Jones. Executive producers: Peter D. Graves, John Ptak, Mike Steed, Todd Stiefel.
• Crew: Directors: Stephen Ujlaki, Chris Jones. Screenplay: Stephen Ujlaki, Chris Jones, Alec Baer. Camera: Bill Yates, Pilar Timpane, Trevor May. Editor: Alec Baer, Chris Jones. Music: Lili Haydn, Jeremy Grody.
• With: Peter Coyote, Elizabeth Neumann, Randall Balmer, Ken Peters, Eboo Patel, Katherine Stewart, Samuel Perry, Russell Moore, Rev. William Barber II, Linda Gordon, Jim Wallis, Lisa Sharon Harper, Jonathan Wilson Hartgrove, Anne Nelson, Brent Allpress, John Marty.

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