Critics of the box-office movie Sound of Freedom are attempting to connect the new film to the QAnon conspiracy theory.
The movie, made by Angel Studios, stars Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ) as Tim Ballard, a former U.S. federal agent who rescues child sex trafficking victims in South America.
As Christian Headlines previously reported, Sound of Freedom, rated PG-13, had a strong showing at the box office in its second week in theaters. The movie, which cost an estimated $14.6 million to make, has grossed over $40 million so far. Some attendees were reportedly left in tears after watching the film.
Despite its success, some critics dismissed the movie as associated with QAnon conspiracy theories, ChurchLeaders.com reports.
As reported by The Guardian, one reviewer called the film a "QAnon-adjacent thriller seducing America."
"Those tuned in to the eardrum-perforating frequency of QAnon…have heeded a clarion call that leads right to the multiplex," the reviewer added.
Concerning Caviezel's portrayal of Ballard, the reviewer for The Guardian wrote, "Even if he did not literally have the face of Christ, Ballard would still exude an angelic aura as he gently hoists dirty-faced moppets out of peril with gravely uttered catchphrase: 'God's children are not for sale.'"
Caviezel "betrays an evident messianic complex by announcing that his movie could very well be the most important ever made, going so far as to compare it to Uncle Tom's Cabin in its campaign to shine a light on 21st-century slavery," the reviewer concluded.
An article by Rolling Stone pointed to messages about the film on the QAnon-related "Great Awakening" messaging board.
"Eyes are opening," one person wrote.
"We are witnessing true divine intervention," another wrote.
The author of the Rolling Stone article, Miles Klee, even notes that "Ballard himself has dabbled in Q-adjacent conspiracy theories, such as the Wayfair trafficking hoax, while his organization has far-right affinities and a long record of distorting its botched 'raids,' which rely on bizarre tactics like asking psychics where to find victims for rescue."
Klee adds that viewers "won't even face the fact that most kids who suffer sexual abuse are harmed not by a shadowy cabal of strangers, but at the hands of a family member."
Angel Studios executive Jared Geesey defended the film, arguing that people who claim Sound of Freedom plugs conspiracy theories have not watched it.
He also attributed its success to the "message of freedom."
Related:
Sound of Freedom to Expand after Stunning Success: 'It's Been a Surprise to Hollywood'
Sound of Freedom Upsets Disney's Indiana Jones for No. 1 at the Box Office
Jim Caviezel: Sound of Freedom Could Be the Uncle Tom's Cabin of the 21st Century
Photo courtesy: ©Angel Studios, used with permission.
Video courtesy: ©Angel Studios
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
