THE RELIANT
An intense Christian adventure defending faith, family, and freedom.
Should You Watch It?
THE RELIANT is a rare Christian adventure that combines exciting action with serious spiritual and moral depth. Its young cast is strong, its script is well written, and its story openly affirms Christian faith, Scripture, prayer, hymns, and American liberty.
The cost is intensity. The movie includes gunfights, shootings, riots, wounded and dying characters, and children hiding from dangerous people. It contains no obscene or lewd content, but sensitive children may still find the violence and sustained danger difficult.
If your older children can handle those elements, this is a thrilling and emotionally powerful choice. For younger or especially sensitive children, parents should decide carefully.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESWhen the social order collapses in Ohio, the children of Christian parents are separated from their mother and father. The siblings escape into the woods, where they must survive with limited supplies while hiding from a man seeking revenge against their father.
As the days pass, the family faces danger from outside and painful questions within. Their struggle becomes a test of courage, faith, family loyalty, and freedom.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means THE RELIANT is an excellent film, and the source review’s praise is strong. The young actors give great performances, supported by fine work from veterans including Kevin Sorbo, Julia Denton, and Brian Bosworth.
The script is very well written, with intense action and moral, spiritual, psychological, and theological depth. The result is described as thrilling, enjoyable, stimulating, and emotionally powerful, with an especially moving redemptive ending.
The Worldview
THE RELIANT strongly promotes Christian faith and American liberty. It includes references to God, Jesus, Scripture, the Gospel, prayer, hymn singing, Christian witness, baptism, and the recovery of faith. Sophie and AnnaLee continue witnessing to Jimmy when he doubts God and Jesus, often using Scripture.
The movie also presents a strong defense of American freedom, especially the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms. Its view is that faith should remain active during suffering and that people may need courage and practical means to defend their families.
The story includes characters who lose faith but regain it, a villain who eventually repents and is saved, and an ending filled with redemptive notes. The film’s central hope—that faith can survive grief, danger, and doubt—aligns with Scripture: “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).
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, biblical, moral, evangelistic, and patriotic worldview, with many Scripture quotes, conversations about God, references to Jesus and the Gospel, two people lose their Christian faith but regain it and are baptized, prayers, hymn singing, four Christians witness to skeptics and nonbelievers, and a very strong defense of American liberty/freedom, especially the right to bear arms
Foul Language
No obscenities and two light exclamatory profanities
Violence
Strong, light and sometimes intense violence includes several gunfights, man saves another man’s life by waving a gun at his attackers, man shot with an arrow, it’s implied that a deer is killed with an arrow so that its meat can feed a couple young adults and their younger sisters and brother who are on the run and hiding in the wilderness from bad guys, bad guys try to break into a car being driven away by a young adult trying to protect his three sisters and brother, people wounded or killed with guns and rifles, riots depicted, some fighting, deputies subdue a criminal, and an implied gun accident occurs off screen
Sex
No sexual content
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
Bad guy drinks something from a flask
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Villain is out for revenge but eventually repents and gets saved and young adult woman’s brother expresses doubts about God and Jesus, but she keeps witnessing to him, often using Scripture to do bring his faith back.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The family faces danger while trying to remain faithful. What can help us trust God when circumstances seem out of control?
Psalm 46:1–3 · Philippians 4:6–7AnnaLee leads the family in prayers and hymns. How can worship strengthen people who are afraid or discouraged?
Psalm 42:5 · Colossians 3:16Jimmy doubts God and Jesus, while Sophie continues speaking with him. How should Christians respond when someone they love is wrestling with faith?
Jude 22–23 · 1 Peter 3:15The film defends liberty and the right to bear arms. What responsibilities should accompany the freedoms we have?
Galatians 5:13 · Romans 12:18The Final Word
THE RELIANT offers thrilling action, strong performances, Christian conviction, and a moving defense of faith and freedom. Its violence and intensity call for parental discernment, but older children and adults who can handle those elements may find a deeply encouraging adventure. Our answer is WORTH THE TRIP — OLDER CHILDREN AND UP.
