THE SHUNNING
A compelling Amish drama about truth, compassion, and belonging.
Should You Watch It?
You should watch The Shunning if your family appreciates serious dramas about identity, belonging, and the cost of difficult choices. The source review praises the script, dialogue, direction, acting, and music, while also highlighting sound Christian advice from an elderly midwife.
The film does not leave every romantic element completely resolved. It also raises questions about whether shunning is being practiced to help someone restore her life or simply to punish her. Those concerns make this better for older children and adults who can talk through the story’s moral tensions.
The practical answer: watch it, with family discernment about the romantic elements and unresolved questions.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESKatie is a young woman in an Amish community who does not quite fit in. As she prepares to marry an Amish bishop, her love of guitar and “English” songs brings her into conflict with the community around her.
Then a woman from outside the community arrives with a life-changing connection to Katie. Katie must decide where she belongs—and what love, truth, and compassion require of her.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a highly accomplished TV drama. The source review calls the script very good and praises the dialogue, direction, acting, and music as excellent.
The story is compelling, with strong emotional stakes and a central conflict that draws the viewer into Katie’s difficult choices. The film’s Christian advice is also presented as sound. Its main weakness is not craft but resolution: the romantic elements are never completely settled, and the treatment of shunning raises a troubling question.
The Worldview
The Shunning presents a very strong Christian and moral worldview. It values love, compassion, moral counsel, and the possibility of helping people restore their lives. The elderly midwife’s advice gives Katie a sound Christian perspective amid the conflict.
The film also explores the limits of authority. Katie’s desire to sing “English” songs and her decision not to marry the bishop place her at odds with the Amish community. The story questions whether shunning is being used according to its proper purpose: helping someone get her life back in order. The source review also notes strong romantic elements that are only partially addressed.
At the heart of the story is a question of how truth and compassion should shape our treatment of people who do not fit neatly within a community. Scripture calls believers to restore one another gently: “restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian, moral worldview with very strong Romantic elements in battling against authority only partially addressed; no foul language; man bashes guitar; no sex, but child out of wedlock; no alcohol; no smoking; and, girl rebels and wants to sing “English” songs and parents break a community rule regarding shunning.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
When should a community correct someone, and when should it show compassion? What does Scripture say about restoring a person gently?
Galatians 6:1 · Colossians 3:12–13Katie struggles with where she belongs. How can knowing the truth about our identity shape the way we live?
Psalm 139:13–14 · Ephesians 2:10What is the difference between following authority faithfully and obeying God when human authority goes wrong?
Acts 5:29 · Romans 13:1–4The film includes a child born out of wedlock. How does Scripture call us to treat people whose circumstances are complicated or painful?
James 2:1–4 · Romans 12:15–16The Final Word
The Shunning is a compelling, beautifully acted drama with a strong Christian moral center. Its romantic elements and questions about shunning call for thoughtful family discussion, but older children and adults can find much to consider. WORTH WATCHING.
