A GIFT HORSE
Fight for what you believe in a sweet, heartwarming family drama.
Should You Watch It?
A GIFT HORSE is a gentle story about grief, family, and refusing to give up. Amanda is struggling with her mother’s death and has trouble accepting her father’s new girlfriend, Tiffany. At a nearby horse ranch, Amanda finds purpose in hard work and forms a bond with an injured horse named Misty.
The film’s message is clear and encouraging. It promotes working hard, seeing the best in people, selflessness, and the importance of family. Its Christian elements add warmth, including references to God and unconditional love.
Some behavior is dysfunctional, and a few sections are cheesy, especially the unrealistically mean girl. Still, the movie is well made, sweet, and positive. You can watch it with your family, using extra guidance for younger children.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESAmanda is a girl grieving the death of her mother while adjusting to her father’s new relationship. She spends time at a nearby horse ranch, where she works chores for Mr. Canton and grows attached to Misty, an injured horse.
When Misty’s future becomes uncertain, Amanda refuses to give up. Her determination challenges the people around her to believe that hard work and a big heart can make a difference.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means A GIFT HORSE is a good, enjoyable film with some noticeable weaknesses. The acting is good, the story structure is compelling, and the cinematography has high picture quality.
The movie’s heartwarming message gives the story its greatest strength. It encourages perseverance and teaches viewers to look for the best in people. A few sections are cheesy, including the portrayal of an unrealistically mean girl, but the film remains a well-made and sweet family drama.
The Worldview
A GIFT HORSE presents a strongly positive moral vision. It exalts hard work, selflessness, perseverance, compassion, and the importance of family. Amanda’s willingness to keep trying shows how determination and a generous heart can help others see possibilities they had abandoned.
The film also includes strong Christian elements. It presents unconditional love positively and refers to God as a divine compass who keeps people from getting lost. The movie’s picture of family includes difficult and dysfunctional behavior, but it generally shows disrespect toward authorities as wrong and encourages viewers to see the best in people.
The film’s central longing is for healing, belonging, and a family that can move forward together. Scripture similarly calls believers to faithful effort: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong Biblical worldview of working hard, seeing the best in people, selflessness, fighting for what you believe, and the importance of family, with strong Christian elements of unconditional love and references to God include a reference to God as our divine compass who keeps us from getting lost; no foul language; no violence; no sexual content; no nudity, but girls occasionally wear tight tank tops with light cleavage and bra straps shown once; no alcohol; no smoking or drugs; and, children are occasionally disrespectful to authorities (although this is usually shown as bad), girl wants to hurt a horse, girl is unrealistically mean, some dysfunctional family portrayals including divorced couples, man talks bad about his ex-wife, references to gambling (including people engage in a friendly bet), man lies in a credits bonus. scenes.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Amanda finds purpose through work and responsibility. How can faithful work help us when we are grieving or discouraged?
Colossians 3:23 · Galatians 6:9The film encourages people to see the best in others. What does love look like when someone is struggling or difficult?
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 · Philippians 2:3–4Amanda refuses to give up on Misty. When should we persevere, and how can we trust God while we wait?
Romans 5:3–5 · Psalm 27:14The story includes family conflict and the pain of loss. How can families pursue forgiveness and healing?
Ephesians 4:31–32 · Colossians 3:13The Final Word
A GIFT HORSE is a well-made, sweet, and heartwarming story about grief, hard work, selflessness, and family. Its few cheesy moments and dysfunctional behavior call for guidance with younger children, but its positive Christian and moral elements make it a worthwhile family choice. WORTH THE TRIP.
