Wild Faith (2018) User Reviews

Steel Serpents

[nogodnomasters · 6/10 · 4 August 2019]

The film takes place ten years after the Civil War in rural Michigan. Emmett (Shane Hagedorn) has a son and has lost his wife. He fought bravely in the Civil War but has lost his taste for killing. He vowed to take care of the family of a black soldier who died in battle. He provides for Haddie (Lauren LaStrada) and her daughter to the dismay of the prejudices of the town.

When a circus train gets stuck on the tracks nearby, some enterprising townies decide to kidnap the two black women and sell them to the circus. And also a tiger has escaped.

Haddie is billed as a former slave, although most of the black soldiers were free blacks and they didn't fight side by side with white soldiers but as their own unit. The film had some small anachronisms.

This is a heartwarming film about faith and race relationships. Acting and script were questionable.

The stars must be earned

[seashell-64210 · 19 November 2019]

I love the read the reviews of these small indie films. The first thirty or so, sometimes as much as fifty or seventy-five, are all friends and, family of the cast, crew, producers and the like. You will even find reviews from people of whatever small town they shot most of it in. (It's so much easier to get permits to shoot from little communities than big cities.) The reviews are usually overflowing in their praise, sometimes to the extent that you might feel a little ill from consuming that much sugary puff. (But just like cotton candy, once you actually watch the movie for yourself, you realize there isn't much substance at all.) Now, if the reviews stop after the initial premiere, that too is a telling aspect. (I think you can figure out just what it does "tell" all by yourself.) Occasionally, you find a review from someone like me, who seems to revel in the obscure, who enjoys finding these rare films. So I submit to you that I need not discuss the plot, or the acting, or even the cinematography. Previous reviews have told you how absolutely wonderful, amazing, heartbreaking, this movie is. Instead I simply give it two stars. Two, because just completing a movie, good or bad, deserves credit in itself. Beyond that, however, the stars must be earned.

not very compelling

[believeintheone · 2/10 · 11 September 2018]

Recently watched this at the Burbank Film Festival. First of all it's just not a very compelling movie. The story just doesn't really take hold of you and the acting is sub par. The protagonists clearly exhibit very modern notions of racism and inclusion, and thus are detached from any sort of realistic individuals living in the second half of the 1800's. This creates a frontier sentimentality is so overtly saccharine and conversely the antagonists are reduced to standard cardboard cut out villains. On top of that everything about the production looked rushed and shot on a very small budget. I was surprised that Wild Faith won best faith based film at the festival, until I looked back at the schedule and discovered it was the only faith based feature film in the whole festival! There were a number of faith based shorts, but without any equal competition it was easy for this mediocre story to win.

A beautiful story...very poorly done.

[pillars-19223 · 2/10 · 4 April 2020]

The hero was made to be a procrastinator. He kissed the heroin at the MOST horrible point. Is thinking your daughter has a become a human trafficking victim seem like a moment for romance?! That's what drove me to create an IMB account to leave this review.

Decent performances by some: the Heroin, her daughter, the son, the uncle, the shopkeepers, the trappers (she would have never fallen asleep. - doesn't make sense!). Good plot, some good actors. Horrible direction and writing. Most frustrating, frankly insulting movie I've seen in a long time.

Bad acting bad production bad writing

[celtic451-228-782719 · 1/10 · 8 March 2020]

This is one of the worst movies I've even seen. As soon as it started I was shocked at how bad and hokey the acting was. Your typical high school play has much better acting. The writing was equally as bad. I actually was laughing at most of it so I guess there was some comical value but in a pathetic way. Even the sound the tiger made was funny and weird. It sounded more like a dog! The whole thing was illogical and ridiculous. One if the worst movies I've ever seen.

Probably would have been good...

[osaure · 1/10 · 4 August 2022]

Probably would have been good if it weren't trying to be politically correct. Films like this try to change the true historical view; it doesn't work. They say I need to write more for this review, but not much else to say.

A Visual Feast

[lonnie-45962 · 9/10 · 26 March 2018]

My first criteria for a good movie is if I would watch it again. I would. It's a visual feast. Some shots -- fog lifting, river moving, oak forests, a few close-in drone shots -- really spotlighted the beauty of the area. It was almost meditation for me to watch that in a darkened theatre, and it helped a good movie take its time, even as the story moved forward at a good pace. Good acting -- loved Emmet and his kindness and his pain and his subtle facial expressions. Loved watching him split wood! I felt like I know a lot of guys like him, and the people around me in the theatre said the same (we talked about it after). Fantastic work by Hester the Ojibway woman. As a baby boomer, I was happy to see the famous Lana Wood in this movie. The bad guys were not stock evil (except maybe the sheriff). Mostly they were scary and goofy at the same time, which makes them more interesting to me. Good writing -- fun lines to remember. I felt I understood why the characters found themselves in each other's lives, thanks to the right amount and timing of flashbacks. Civil War flashbacks also very, very good. I'm a native rural Michigander, and this movie being so "Michigan" made it even more of a pleasure to watch. Bravo and brava to all involved.

Good story. Great ending!

[jamalking15 · 7/10 · 18 March 2021]

Started slow while introducing the characters and their patterns of behavior. But as the story developed it holds your attention. Good depiction of the preacher caught in religiosity and pain from loss. Good depiction of the challenge of racism at that time, with most people against it, but a few carried their simplistic beliefs past the war. I loved the portrayal of fear when search for the lost animal, as few have seen nor know anything about capturing such an animal. The weak point was that the the sheriff was poorly acted and characterized. Not a complicated story with plot twists and such, but a good story. Sometimes the story is more important that great acting and great directing.

Good family movie.... But?

[gkhege · 3/10 · 16 February 2023]

This movies is of the low budget variety but has some beautiful scenery. Everything and everyone one was just to clean and perfect. Perfect teeth, perfect hair, and perfect clothes. The buildings were obviously from some nearby historical park. The sheriff looked like had just came from the dry cleaners and appeared to be very wimpy in nature.

To be honest, I couldn't make it through the entire movie but fully understood the family orientation of the theme. Unfortunately trying to make it family clean took away some of the message trying to be told. This movie would be great for a church social viewing event. However , you are not going to draw any John Wayne or Clint Eastwood viewer's into the fold.

Beyond my expectations...

[wyw-67816 · 10/10 · 26 March 2018]

It's amazing when a story comes to life on the big screen and you feel you're a part of it, sitting on the edge of your seat in anticipation of what's going to happen next....Every aspect of Wild Faith is done exceptionally well...actors are true to character and the story line touches your heart....who could ask for more. Can't wait to see it again!

AMAZING movie!!

[jsmgfrench · 10/10 · 25 March 2018]

My husband and I saw this movie at Celebration Cinema in Lansing, Michigan. We LOVED it! Well written, engaging and the actors were incredible! Now I want to take our children to see it! It was so nice to see a wholesome, family film on the big screen for a change. 10 big starts from us! Can't wait to buy the DVD!!

I was left wanting more!

[shespuremichigan · 9/10 · 26 March 2018]

My whole family had been anxiously awaiting the release of this Michigan based film. It was refreshing to be a part of a movie that shared not only an excellently written story but one that shared a deep sense of values within the context of it. I was highly impressed with the quality of the production and HOPE the tv series actually comes to be! I can see why the show times were held over! I Highly recommend Wild Faith! I already want to see it again!

A must see movie in 2018

[fish-70970 · 9/10 · 21 March 2018]

Saw this movie on 3-20 with my family which includes a 9 year old grandson. We enjoyed it and thought it was awesome. DJ Perry did a fantastic job writing and acting in this epic filmed in Michigan. Two thumbs up, go see it while you can.

Excellent, Biblically Faithful, Great Godly Examples

[kristenlcollier · 10/10 · 14 July 2018]

As an author who has done video editing, been behind the camera, and hails from an academically rigorous theological background, I watch movies from an analytical standpoint and evaluate these elements: characterization, writing/dialogue, plot, acting, theological fidelity, editing and authenticity.

Based on these elements, in my opinion Lauren LaStrada and Shane Hagedorn were the biggest standouts of Wild Faith, the 2018 International Christian Film Festival runner-up for best movie award. They were so good it makes me want to see which movie won, for comparison.

Lauren LaStrada and Shane Hagedorn knocked it out of the park. I can see why Lauren won Best Actress, she's so good it makes me want to be a producer just so I can give her a star vehicle.

Shane Hagedorn played the perfect long-suffering man, suffering unjustly at the hands of a sanctimonious church.

He showed a stalwart man brimming with intestinal fortitude, who didn't let himself be baited by friend, foe, or even family. Their portrayals were flawless.

I particularly loved Melissa Anschutz as the native American tracker and look forward to checking out her other movies. I think she, like Shane and Lauren, have very bright careers ahead of them. I was also really intrigued by Christine Marie's portrayal of a dubious circus woman, and thought she had a very interesting performance (and was heartened by her character's true colors at the end).

I despised the deceitful sheriff character, the misguided pastor, and was glad that character repented at the end. I had special enmity for the main bad guy, so my strong visceral reaction to them told me the characters were well-written (thanks to DJ Perry, writer), and that their acting was good.

This movie is theologically sound, and I appreciated that. It could have been a movie about today's America. In many ways.

Solid low budget film

[llabnivlac · 8/10 · 22 April 2018]

This film does well at telling a period story and tackling some larger societal issues through an anachronistic lens. Production value is good, with most of the cinematography being near the level of many big budget films. The acting is mostly on point and doesn't detract from the overall film - I would highlight the performances of Lana Wood and Dean Teaster as the most believable within the movie. While not the spectacle of an over the top blockbuster or a Spielberg film, this is a worthwhile movie deserving of your time.

Very well done!

[jacobdufouractor · 8/10 · 14 July 2019]

Bought Wild Faith at Walmart the other day and watched it this evening. Fantastic job to everyone involved! I'm a pretty harsh critic of movies, but I was very impressed by the acting quality, the production quality, and the story. Loved the tiger parts... The story was already good and engaging without it, but adding it in for a unique twist and an added layer of drama and suspense was an excellent creative choice and it boosted the production quality tenfold. It reminded me of a cross between Love Comes Softly (only way better) and The Ghost and the Darkness. Loved it! Great job again to everyone.

Didn't know what to expect.

[jewelljeff · 9/10 · 26 March 2018]

I had no idea what the movie was about. The wife and I went because her aunt and uncle were extras in it. We both liked it very much.

Spectacular Film!

[kappayear · 10/10 · 26 March 2018]

I absolutely loved this movie from begging to end! I was able to see it the 1st day it released. Kept me at the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. Definitely one the best films I have seen in awhile, very well done!

Be Outraged! Be Inspired!

[juke-86907 · 10/10 · 19 March 2018]

This look into post-Civil War Michigan tells the story of a veteran, a woman of color and the mood of the period. It will anger you, it will move you and it will excite you! Shane Hagedorn and Lauren Lastrada are casting at its finest. The dynamic between them, the complimenting cast and Jesse Low's superb direction, transforming Michigan today into an incredible painting of the past, bring the viewer in and makes him or her part of that moment. 10 bright shining stars!

Post Civil War Michigan

[derekrainey-91225 · 9/10 · 20 March 2018]

Excellent film dealing with the aftermath of our horrific Civil War. Great writing that brings these people to life in Wild Michigan.

Kept me on the edge of my seat!

[lilheartprincess · 10/10 · 23 March 2018]

Wild Faith is a fantastic movie with a surprising ending. Wild Faith depicts the life of freed African Americans and how they were treated after the Civil War. This movie has a lot of unexpected surprises and will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat! I loved every second of this movie and am really hoping it'll turn into a mini series!

Great movie

[dorosch · 9/10 · 20 March 2018]

Great movie good storyline good acting. A lot of hard work went into this movie from the quality of the videographers, sound and Great movie good storyline good acting. A lot of hard work went into this movie from the quality of the videographers, sounds, and costumes. Great job to everyone involved in this project.

A Post-Civil War Yarn w/a Redemptive Arc! Recommended!

[shipnbottle-91987 · 9/10 · 1 May 2020]

A really well-done.post-Civil War-slash-western with a redemptive arc and a message against bigotry. When a circus train breaks down, all hell breaks loose!

It has good acting, memorable characters, quite good CGI (except for one scene) and some unexpected storyline surprises.

And it has a great finish!

I really appreciated "Wild Faith"! Recommended!

Finally, a movie for the entire family

[glick-27579 · 9/10 · 6 July 2019]

Wild Faith is a wonderfully paced film that encompasses faith, love, friendship and good vs evil. Even when faith seems lost, in the end, good triumphs. There are no "cringe worthy" moments in this movie, just a wonderful story. I highly recommend watching!

Good movie bad sound

[kitchenmagic1200 · 8/10 · 30 July 2020]

I really enjoyed the movie for the story. And for the Cinematography. A great movie about faith and true love and fighting for what is right. The only down side was it was hard to hear what they were saying and there was no closed captioning avalible.