OUT OF THE DARKNESS (2016)
An uneven faith drama best experienced at home.
Should You Watch It?
OUT OF THE DARKNESS has a worthwhile destination, even though the journey is frequently confusing. Its third act becomes an uplifting, redemptive drama about a troubled veteran regaining his Christian faith in a stronger, healthier way. The film also includes two prayers in the Name of Jesus, positive references to God, and a moving Sunday School scene.
The road there is less satisfying. The story does not always work or make sense, the opening firefight is unresolved, and too many flashbacks interrupt the momentum. Eli’s drinking, smoking, impaired driving, crash, frightening experiences in the woods, and inner spiritual struggle also call for discernment.
Because the film’s message has merit but its execution is uneven, watch it at home, where you can guide younger viewers and discuss the difficult material.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESEli is a troubled veteran who has lost his childhood faith and his job at his father’s ranch. After arguing with his girlfriend in front of their four-year-old daughter, he retreats to a bar, drinks, and drives toward the mountains.
When his truck crashes, Eli becomes disoriented and lost in the forest. As several days pass, his physical predicament becomes a deeper confrontation with his past, his family, God, and the spiritual direction of his life.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means this film’s redemptive message is stronger than its storytelling. The third act picks up and delivers an uplifting, dramatic account of a man returning to Christian faith. The prayers and the Sunday School scene provide genuine encouragement.
But the story often does not work or make sense. The opening war scene is not resolved, Eli’s father fires him after the movie shows him doing his job, and too many flashbacks disrupt the narrative. The result is a well-intentioned faith drama with a worthwhile conclusion but uneven filmmaking.
The Worldview
OUT OF THE DARKNESS presents a strongly Christian worldview. It promotes love for family, honors the influence of a believing grandmother, includes prayer in Jesus’ name, and treats the recovery of faith as central to healing and purpose.
The film also takes spiritual struggle seriously. Eli is angry at God and must confront the personal and spiritual decline holding him back from seeing God’s grace and fulfilling his potential as God’s servant. His faith is not presented as merely accepting someone else’s hopes for him; he must surrender himself and let God show him the way forward.
The film’s Christian vision is weakened by the unresolved harshness of Eli’s father and by the relationship structure surrounding Eli, his girlfriend, and their child. Even after Eli regains his faith, the story does not show a wedding. Still, its central movement is toward grace, redemption, and renewed service to God.
Scripture gives words to that movement: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Very strong Christian worldview with strong moral elements includes protagonist loves his grandmother and family is promoted but protagonist’s father seems a bit harsh (no real explanation is given for this), two prayers in the name of Jesus, other references to God, protagonist struggles with God but regains his faith, and there’s a great scene where a man teaches a short Sunday school lesson with little children
Foul Language
No foul language
Violence
Two American soldiers fire machine guns at an unseen enemy in one scene, an inebriated man runs his truck off a road leading into some mountains and crashes into a tree in the forest, a man points a shotgun at a stranger who shows up at his tent in the forest but drops the gun when he sees the stranger is no threat, a shadowy figure appears at night in the woods, a man lost in the woods hears strange sounds, and there’s an image of some rotting meat
Sex
No sex but man lives with his girlfriend, and they have a 4-year-old child, so they have a common law marriage, and there’s no wedding scene even after the man regains his Christian faith
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
Man drinks beer and whiskey in a bar and, though he’s not stumbling drunk, is inebriated when he drives his truck and crashes
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
Man smokes during movie;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Man is sullen and angry and challenges God, but the story is about how he regains his faith.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Eli’s anger at God grows out of pain and disappointment. How can we bring honest grief and questions to God without turning away from Him?
Psalm 13 · 1 Peter 5:7Eli must face the direction his life is taking. What helps a person recognize spiritual decline, and what does genuine repentance look like?
2 Corinthians 7:10 · Acts 3:19Eli’s grandmother believes God has plans for him, but the film suggests he must personally follow God’s leading. How do God’s purposes and our obedience fit together?
Ephesians 2:10 · Proverbs 3:5–6The film includes prayer in Jesus’ name. What does it mean to pray through Christ rather than merely use His name as a phrase?
John 14:13–14 · Hebrews 4:14–16The Final Word
OUT OF THE DARKNESS offers a sincere message about grace, renewed faith, and finding a way forward. Its uneven structure and mature content make it better for home viewing, where you can guide the conversation. The answer is WAIT FOR HOME.
