PERSECUTED
A suspenseful defense of religious liberty with a Christian conscience.
Should You Watch It?
PERSECUTED is a good, suspenseful political thriller built around an important question: what happens when religious freedom is traded for political or financial advantage? Its Christian worldview is clear without making the movie preachy or ham-fisted, and it lets the villain make a case for the proposed law.
The film is also uneven. It can be slow or confusing, some scenes seem underdeveloped, and the dialogue could be more dramatic. Still, the veteran cast is excellent, and the story offers worthwhile warnings about government power and Christian leaders being enticed by money.
You can take the trip if your family includes mature older children who can handle strong violence and the film’s disturbing frame-up. Younger children should wait.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESJohn Luther is a nationally acclaimed Christian evangelist who tells a powerful senator that he will publicly oppose a new “equal time” law he believes threatens religious freedom.
The senator responds by framing John for a teenage girl’s murder. Hunted by police and government agents, John must find evidence to clear his name while operatives and assassins pursue him. His father, a Catholic priest, helps him fight back.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means a good film with real strengths and noticeable weaknesses. PERSECUTED is exciting and suspenseful, and Daniel Lusko directs it well. The acting is top-notch, especially from James Remar, Dean Stockwell, Bruce Davison, and Fred Thompson. The music is wonderful, though it feels inappropriate or overdone in a couple scenes.
The movie could use more focus, action, and conflict. Some important scenes appear to be missing, and parts of the plot are slightly confusing. The dialogue also lacks some dramatic or passionate force.
The Worldview
PERSECUTED presents religious freedom, freedom of speech, worship, and religious belief as important goods. It opposes government policies that restrict those liberties. It also warns Christian leaders not to surrender freedom for money or special tax benefits. When church leaders choose financial advantage over conviction, the film rebukes that choice.
The story includes positive references to God, prayer, and the Bible. The evangelist questions God at one point, but his faith seems to become stronger afterward. The film’s Christian, biblical, moral, patriotic, and pro-liberty perspective is also somewhat conservative or libertarian. Because the movie presents the opposing argument and avoids a heavy-handed approach, non-Christians, moderates, and liberals may still find it accessible.
The film’s central challenge is whether people will remain faithful when power, money, and fear offer easier alternatives. Scripture says, “You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men” (1 Corinthians 7:23).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian, biblical, moral, patriotic worldview with positive references to God, prayer and the Bible, movie promotes positive American, patriotic, pro-liberty values such as freedom of speech, worship and religious belief and opposes big government, statist policies restricting such liberty, though some Christian leaders are enticed to give up part of their freedom for tax benefits, but this is rebuked; no foul language; strong violence with some blood includes man shot in head, man wounded in lower chest by gunshot, FBI officer shot dead, FBI officer wounded in leg, two henchmen shot dead, hero has bloody wounds, and reference to woman having been raped and murdered; no depicted sex, but Christian evangelist is drugged and forced to have some photos made with older teenage girl sitting on his lap and looking at camera to take phony photos of him as if he’s drunk and later it’s said she’s been found raped and murdered; no nudity but there might have been some female cleavage; brief alcohol use and references to hero’s past alcoholism problem from which he’s recovered; man smokes cigar and evangelist is drugged so he can be framed, but this is seen as bad; and, evangelist blackmailed and framed, extortion, conspiracy, government corruption, Christian leaders seduced by money but this is rebuked, and evangelist hero questions God at one point but keeps his father strong if not stronger afterwards.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The proposed law offers religious leaders financial benefits. How should Christians respond when money conflicts with conviction?
Matthew 6:24 · 1 Timothy 6:6–10John opposes a law he believes limits religious freedom. What does Scripture teach about speaking truthfully and courageously to people in power?
Acts 5:29 · Proverbs 31:8–9John questions God during a crisis, yet his faith seems to grow stronger. How can honest questions become part of faithful prayer?
Psalm 13:1–6 · Mark 9:24The film warns Christians about becoming too closely tied to government power. How can believers pursue justice without placing their ultimate hope in political institutions?
Micah 6:8 · Psalm 146:3–5The Final Word
PERSECUTED is a worthwhile, well-acted thriller with an important message about religious freedom and Christian integrity. Its violence, disturbing subject matter, and occasional confusion make it a better choice for mature viewers and older children than for younger families. Our answer is WORTH THE TRIP — AGES 13 AND UP. For younger viewers, see.
