God's Not Dead: We the People

God's Not Dead: We the People is a 2021 American Christian drama film directed by Vance Null, with a script written by Tommy Blaze, from an original story co-authored by Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman.[2] The sequel to God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness and the fourth installment in the God's Not Dead series, the plot centers around Rev. David "Dave" Hill's role in presenting a case for God before Congress. The film was released on October 4, 2021, in a three-night theatrical engagement,[3] and grossed over $1.1 million in the domestic box office.

God's Not Dead: We the People
Theatrical release poster
Directed byVance Null
Screenplay byTommy Blaze
Story by
  • Cary Solomon
  • Chuck Konzelman
Produced byBrent Ryan Green
Starring
CinematographyBrian Shanley
Edited byVance Null
Music byPancho Burgos-Goizueta
Production
company
Distributed byFathom Events
Release date
  • October 4, 2021 (2021-10-04)
Running time
91 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.1 million[1]

A sequel titled, God's Not Dead: Rise Up is in production and scheduled for a 2023 release.[4][5]

Plot

A group of parents led by a local pastor are home-schooling their children when a representative from social services makes an unannounced visit and determines the parents' teaching is not sufficient, in light of the requirements of the common core state standards. A local judge, played by Jeanine Pirro, gives them a week to prove that their education is adequate or the students will be forced to go to public school. The pastor and the parents head to Washington, D.C. to testify in front of a Congressional sub-committee on home-schooling. Much of the last half of the film consists mainly of long speeches by the parents, pastor, and members of Congress over the topic of home-schooling.

Cast
  • David A. R. White as Reverend Dave Hill, a pastor who appeared in all three previous God's Not Dead films.
  • Antonio Sabàto Jr.[6] and Francesca Battistelli[7] as Mike and Rebecca McKinnon, a couple who plan to homeschool their child
  • Jeanine Pirro as Judge Elizabeth Neely,[2] the local town judge who decides whether the McKinnons will continue to homeschool their children, send them to public school, or have them incarcerated if they refuse. Pirro previously made an uncredited cameo in the third film.
  • Isaiah Washington[2] as Rep. Daryl Smith, a Congressman who helps Dave.
  • William Forsythe as Senator Robert Benson
  • Matt Anspach as Brandon McKinnon, Mike and Rebecca's older son
  • Benjamin Onyango as Reverend Jude Mbaye,[8] a minister from Ghana and Dave Hill's friend who died in the previous film. He appears in a dream to encourage Dave to stand up for freedom.
  • Dani Oliveros as Kayla Neely, Judge Neely's daughter who becomes Brandon's girlfriend
  • Marco Khan as Misrab, Ayisha's estranged father who rejected her from the first film, and tries to reunite her in an attempt to redeem himself all while deciding whether or not to accept Jesus Christ as savior
  • Hadeel Sittu as Ayisha, Misrab's daughter who became Christian, and becomes involved in a car accident
  • Paul Kwo as Martin Yip
  • Paul Carroll as Congressional Aide

Production

The film's production was announced on David A. R. White's Instagram in late 2020.[9] It was filmed in Oklahoma during the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]

Reception

The film, like its predecessors, was largely panned by critics. Steve Pulaski of Influx Magazine gave the film a rare "F" letter-grade, criticizing the plot and message saying, "God's Not Dead: We the People is not merely the worst in an already-misbegotten series, but so utterly deplorable that its status as a three-night-only event in theaters at least assures that significantly fewer people will see it."[11]

Conservative Christian film critic Christian Toto praised the film, stating that while it "shares the franchise’s flaws...its bold mission statement has never been more necessary."[12]

See also

References
  1. "God's Not Dead: We the People (2021)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  2. Vlessing, Etan (January 22, 2021). "Pure Flix Rebrands as Pinnacle Peak Pictures". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  3. David A.R. White [@DavidARWhite] (May 10, 2021). "When you can't make the gym, work out at work... In this case on the set of God's Not Dead 2. #godsnotdead2 #Throwback God's Not Dead: We The People in theaters this coming October" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. Lambert, Harper (September 13, 2022). "'God's Not Dead': Fifth Installment in the Works at Pure Flix and Pinnacle Peak Pictures (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  5. Ortega Law, Jeannie (September 15, 2022). "'God's Not Dead' to return with part 5, asks 'Is God dead in American politics?'". The Christian Post. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  6. Bond, Paul (July 14, 2021). "New "God's Not Dead" movie to star "blacklisted" Antonio Sabato Jr". Newsweek. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  7. "Francesca Battistelli to Star in Upcoming Film "God's Not Dead: We The People"". The Gospel Music Association. July 14, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  8. Harper, Jennifer (August 12, 2021). "Inspirational film explores challenges of homeschooling, the battle for 'our children's intellect'". The Washington Times. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  9. Hallowell, Billy. "'God's Not Dead 4': A New 'God's Not Dead' Installment Is on the Way". insider.pureflix.com. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  10. "Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt Signs 'Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021' Increasing State's Film and TV Incentives". Oklahoma Department of Commerce. May 26, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  11. Pulaski, Steve (October 5, 2021). ""God's Not Dead: We the People" (2021) Review". Influx Magazine.
  12. Toto, Christian (October 6, 2021). "'God's Not Dead: We the People' Is the Movie We Need, Flaws and All". Hollywood in Toto.
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