LEFT BEHIND
Compelling apocalypse with a powerful, winsome Gospel message.
Should You Watch It?
Yes. LEFT BEHIND is a compelling, carefully crafted adaptation that involves you in the lives of people facing extraordinary circumstances. It presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a powerful, entertaining and winsome way while reaffirming marriage, family and the sovereignty of God.
The film treats its pre-tribulation theology as a plot device rather than a prerequisite for salvation. Even viewers who disagree with that theology should find that the movie clearly presents God as all-powerful and sovereign, Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and the church as victorious.
Kirk Cameron brings vulnerability to Buck, making him an everyman caught beyond his control. The characters are well drawn, and the camerawork and photography make the movie look expensive. You should see LEFT BEHIND, especially on the big screen.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESBuck, an ace television reporter, is covering a massive attack from Israel when the enemy planes miraculously fall from the sky. As he travels to uncover what happened, people disappear from his plane, leaving the pilot, Captain Steele, to turn back toward Chicago.
There, amid widespread chaos, Buck and Captain Steele begin searching for answers. Their search draws them toward a pastor, the Gospel, and the dark machinations surrounding the head of the United Nations.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an unusually strong film in its genre. LEFT BEHIND has been crafted with a careful, deft touch and never goes over the top. Its straightforward storyline firmly involves you in the lives of its characters.
Kirk Cameron’s vulnerability makes Buck compelling, even though this version differs from the Buck of the book. Brad Johnson’s Captain Steele and his daughter Chloe are particularly believable and powerful, while the characterizations overall are well done.
The camerawork and photography also deserve commendation. They give the movie an expensive look. The result is, according to the source review, the best movie made so far in the apocalyptic genre.
The Worldview
LEFT BEHIND presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a powerful, entertaining and winsome way. It also reaffirms marriage and family, presents God as sovereign and all-powerful, and declares that Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The film portrays the church as victorious rather than treating evil as ultimately unstoppable.
Its apocalyptic framework is pre-tribulation and premillennial. The movie uses that theology as part of its plot, not as a prerequisite for salvation, allowing even viewers who disagree with the framework to engage with the story.
The film’s central question is what people will do when confronted with the truth of the Gospel. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong Christian worldview that presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a powerful, winsome way as well as many moral principles including reaffirming marriage & family; no foul language, though there are some exclamatory appeals to God; violence which is treated in a discreet manner, including people disappearing as a result of so-called “rapture,” car crashes, man shoots man at point blank range but camera does not show blood & gore, some threats of violence as well as some war scenes, all done within a PG-rating; no sex; no nudity; no drugs; alcohol; smoking; and, pre-tribulation, premillennial eschatology.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film presents people searching for the truth of the Gospel in a world suddenly thrown into chaos. Why is truth worth seeking even when the consequences are frightening?
John 14:6 · Romans 1:16LEFT BEHIND emphasizes that God is sovereign and that Christ has all authority. How should those truths shape the way Christians respond to fear?
Matthew 28:18–20 · Psalm 46:1–3The story reaffirms marriage and family. What responsibilities do family members have toward one another when life becomes difficult?
Ephesians 5:25 · Ephesians 6:1–4The film uses an apocalyptic framework to raise questions about salvation. How would you explain the Gospel of Jesus Christ to someone who is searching?
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 · Ephesians 2:8–9The Final Word
LEFT BEHIND is a compelling, carefully made apocalyptic film with a strong Christian worldview and a winsome presentation of the Gospel. Its characters, photography and straightforward storytelling make it especially effective on the big screen. WORTH THE TRIP.
