Sound of Freedom was quite the cultural phenomenon in summer of 2023. It's not uncommon for faith-based films to break out and enjoy a respectable run, but Sound of Freedom took on a whole new level of success altogether. It begun outgrossing major franchise tentpole films like the new Mission Impossible and Indiana Jones films. This despite being budgeted at a small fraction of these other films. Hollywood spun its wheels trying to explain how such a little film could make such a big splash.
Of course, Angel Studios is no stranger to underdog success stories, with its crown jewel The Chosen regularly smashing viewership records.The Daily Wire has also entered into the filmmaking foray. Known for its right-wing political pundits, the platform has mostly kept its recent slate of original films as exclusive content for their subscribers. Now these two rising stars in the world of filmmaking have partnered up to bring audiences a new film.
Initially titled simply Possum Trot, the film was retitled Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot. While the retitling might feel a tad like market manipulation to tie the film to the success of Sound of Freedom, the two films do feel like birds of a feather in their tackling of systemic abuse of children. However, those going into Sound of Hope expecting the same kind of action genre story that Sound of Freedom delivered might be in for a surprise. Sound of Hope is a lot more of a grounded and character-driven story.
Like Sound of Freedom, this film is based on a true story. Looking to honor her late mother, pastor's wife Lady Donna Martin (played by Nika King) convinces her husband to adopt foster children. And not just any, but the most unwanted and neglected children. They're able to inspire their entire small community to join them, and over the course of the coming years (the story is set in the 1990s), the community adopts 77 children from the system.
The movie's main conflicts follow the Martins as they navigate the challenges that come with the abuse suffered by the three children they adopt, balanced with the struggles within their own family. The film is unflinching and real in showing the challenges of foster care. It's not a glamorizing commercial for adoption. There's pain. There's fighting. There's trauma to unravel. But ultimately, there's hope. For these children who have been through hell on earth, adjusting to a loving and stable environment takes work, and the movie shows that. And it shows that at the end of it all, that it's worth to persevere through the tough times.
The movie can definitely be considered "faith-based," but this is largely due to the church setting of the town and religious background of the characters. Preaching is kept minimal and the overall themes are relatable enough that the film should still be accessible to mainstream audiences. Nika King carries the film's emotional heart and never drops the ball on making you feel for her struggles. Her role is emotionally intense and King hits a home run on nailing her role. Demetrius Grosse and Elizabeth Mitchell also turn in fine supporting performances, with Diaana Babnicova proving a standout among the younger performers.
At times, the film's subject matter may feel a bit more like a TV Movie than a theatrical play. But Angel Studios has always proven itself worthy of the stories it gets behind receiving the theatrical treatment. While the lack of controversy will likely not give this film the press coverage that Sound of Freedom enjoyed, I encourage you to support it. It's well made, and tackles an important subject matter with reverence. With a gritty look at the ups and downs of fostering, the strong performances and overall hopeful themes ensure that this is a movie you won't regret having invested time in.
J.J. Francesco is a longtime contributor to the NRT Staff. He's published the novel 'Because of Austin' and regularly seeks new ways to engage faith, life, and community. His new novel, 'When Miracles Can Dream,' is out NOW!
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