John, 316 (2020) User Reviews

Lacklustre

[omendata · 4/10 · 13 December 2021]

I thought this looked like it might be interesting and it could have been if it had better writers.

The problem is, you do not really see much of the John character and his miracles are few and not really that interesting.

Contrary to the other reviewers I think the acting is not that bad from the main characters but without anything to work with script-wise, it was all a bit of a damp squib to be honest and soon became a bit crusty and monochromatic so I cannot really recommend it and giving it 4 stars may be a bit generous!

A shamefully manipulative and possibly even dangerous religious propaganda flick...

[hansbuiskool · 1/10 · 8 December 2021]

Don´t let the large number of awards fool you, but let words as Salvation, Alpacalypse Productions and Higher Universe Pictures do the talking for them instead. What we have here is a demonicly clever apparantly realistic build-up, in which factual problem of overmedicating in the healthcare sector for Pharma profits is gradually twisted and abused into a plot that declares mental illness as being nothing but a sheer matter of a lack of faith, and which therefor claims that all medication would be entirely unnessesary and dedundant if patients with a mentale disorder would only turn themselves into the care of the lord. This product should at least be distributed under a clear label of fiction, and should actually better still be marked as a potential hazard to public health.

Awful 😖

[barry_taylor · 1/10 · 10 December 2021]

Sorry this is virtually unwatchable, the acting is so bad I wondered if it was deliberately done for effect, but no I concluded it was just terrible. The script is no better, the concept appeared promising but the film fails to deliver. Total rubbish a complete waste of an evening, gave in a quit when the plot became too ridiculous.

1 star just for the poster, with Jaysus in a see-through robe.

[sogoodlooking · 1/10 · 12 December 2021]

How is this possible? How did no one look at the poster and ask themselves before saying "Print" that showing the ostensible Savior's enhanced bum was a horrible, horrible idea. The trailer, too, is abysmal. Do yourself a favor and skip this nonsense.

Ugh

[saraconrad-54700 · 1/10 · 30 December 2023]

I made an IMDB account so I could review this film. This is two hours of my life I won't get back. This is some badly produced religious propaganda. I appreciate that they filmed at Alberta Hospital though, that's fun.

You see one guy's butt a lot. Despite being an inpatient with access to resources and clothing, this guy only wears a bedsheet.

They also could have spoken to literally one person who works in health care to make any of this more realistic. Who voted to give this movie awards? Like if this was someone's university project I would be impressed.

My friend made me watch this movie because her dad acted in this for literally two seconds.

Also, we should have watched "Money Plane" instead. There's plenty of right wing religious propaganda out there that's better made.

Most reviews missed the point. Jesus is alive and nobody can stop Him.

[shilohlove · 6/10 · 24 January 2023]

In this film you have: Abby a shady nurse (relatable to Judas) A ward of mental health patients (disciples) John homeless man (Jesus) Big Pharma execs (ancient priests and Pontius Pilate) An ancient electric shock therapy machine (The Cross) Also, food deprivation, cruelty, graphic brutal murder, sleazy characters, a handful of respectable nurses.

This was a captivating AND difficult movie to watch. I laughed at some scenes but cried in the end. John represents Jesus in a very modern day setting. Fascinating that they placed him in a mental ward with about 15 patients (who represent the disciples), all who were a mess but lovable. Jesus heals, teaches and gives them hope. A lot of emphasis is placed on the meds given to the patients. Pharma moves in (relatable to the ancient priests and Pontius Pilate) They deprive John of food for refusing meds. It's made clear that they make big bucks off meds and that if all the patients get well, they wouldn't make any money. All the regular staff is fired and replaced by heartless bigwigs, one of whom is so determined to shut "John" up, he executes him on a vintage electrical-shock therapy board (trigger warning), John is strung on the board in cross-like position. The man mocks him, and laughs until he realizes he's killed John. The patients go bizerk upon realizing this. The Pharma dude is hauled away by cops for murder (thank goodness!).

A day or so later, the patients clean up the mess they made (upon learning of John's death) in a calm united manner. The craziest of them all, has found a level of peace within his mental illness and takes over John's teachings. They welcome a new patient in the end. The main character, Abby a nurse, is fired in the end to make the facility look good because she was the charge nurse on duty when John was brutally murdered. John appears to her after his death in a scene that could've been done much better. She was the most skeptical and she was the reason Pharma came in. She tipped off a man in power about patients not taking their meds, which bumped her up in position when the other nurses were fired. (I relate her to Judas) All the former staffers are brought back to restore the facilities reputation as a good psych hospital.

So, after the movie I felt very frustrated because it felt like another low budget faith film to make money off of Christianity. Then it hit me, the movie brought Jesus to modern times. I liked that they used a mental hospital to represent the disciples, which held my attention and held to my belief that Jesus is humble and heals the broken. The nurse Abby was not a likable character at all. The orderly had questionable ethics in everything, he was kind and understanding but sleazy.

Abby, the lousy nurse who was sleeping with the orderly, is leaving after they fire her. The patient rushes up to her and excitedly asks, "Can I tell you about John?"

The message here is that Jesus lives and His story cannot be killed by anyone regardless of their power. If a group of mentally ill patients can spread the Word, anyone can. The weak parts were lack of John's lines. Even so, his presence was powerful among the patients, who were all pretty good actors. The movie was a realistic portrayal of today's society in regards to the downtrodden, and how things really are inside nursing homes and mental health wards. Also, realistic that if Jesus walked the earth today, that most people wouldn't recognize him, some would want to kill him because Heaven forbid everyone on psych drugs stop taking them! That would crash the market.

The movie was somewhat enjoyable but very sad at times. The ending left more to be desired. One nice aspect was that the patients had bonded by the end. They were trying to convey a message more than create a good movie.

I gave it six stars for realistic portrayal. I couldn't give it more because John wasn't as great as he should've been. And the murder scene was too much for me. And the wrap up was weak.

The patients were the main characters and fascinating ones at that. The orderly and the nurse were blah. The way they worked John 3:16 into the movie was clever. Not a repeat watch for me because of the graphic murder scene. Too bad, because overall, the message was really good and the mental patients were entertaining but I can't watch that murder scene again. Will be hard to get out of my head.

But it also made me think, if Jesus were here in person, and I was one of those patients, or even got to spend time with him and then the government killed him, my heart would break, because Jesus is perfect. Who wouldn't want to be with a man so peaceful who can heal and bring comfort?

John 3:16. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Excellent...Well done inspiring, uplifting movie...

[infrasonik · 10/10 · 19 December 2021]

Movie about faith and love displayed in a real world situation without being hokey. Also exposing big-pharma devious ambition. Movie although not biblically accurate, but biblically inspired.

Excellent...Well done movie...

there are 2 ways to evaluate...

[ops-52535 · 6/10 · 8 December 2021]

A movie like this, the indespicable way or in a reasonable way. Both ways will hit a crowd, and still a question will turn out unanswered, was this a good film???

Its the story about a stray cat called john, arrested for indecency, walking naked on the streets, hes being put in the nutthouse, with all kinds of other nutcases, and becomes a psychiatric patient. But as out of a stephen king novel, miracles starts to happen, and the miracle man is john. At the same time the managment of the hospital changes and new donors of money changes the environment , trying to do trials with a new medicine on the kohort. John denies, and are taken away all treats, even denied food, and in the utter end as a result of the ceo snapping over johns miraclewonders and everlasting sturdy stamina, straps john to an electroshock bed and electrocutes the living daylight outta him, whch ignites an uproar within the staff and patients...

so yes , its another ''the green mile'' flick about how the human race erradicated yet another miracle of God, killing Jesus(or john) with a jolt of electricity, and it is another''the cookoos nest''-flick too, yes.

But are they able to succeed in their efforts to make a movie that will surprise? I shall not do that evaluation, and i ask everybody to forget every resemblance to the earlier forementioned titles other than that ive seen the core cast in other movies, made at a low financial budget, as john 316 quite visibly are made of too, but there are vibes of great improvement, and some of the acts qualifies as a-division candidates at moments, but the average act is merely a b'bop.

Its agood story build up, but to make an edible end is as usual a hard nut to crack the production quality is like the wave of the ocean, it goes up and down and tilts abit due to broken stabilizers but hits the end with a 6 outta 10. The sound production has some tech flaws, the light settings be scrutinized at moments , but the editor has done a good job.

Therefore the grumpy old man thinks its a watchable movie, not so realistic from a shrinks standpoint, but well done considering budget value taking a vast plot like this into action. Dont be squemish and laugh out loud when you can, its just a movie...isnt it???

a lot better than I thought

[tony-146-695626 · 7/10 · 19 January 2022]

This movie reminds me a lot of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest. Not as hard hitting or well made, but it has powerful messages without being preachy.

It is not a Christian vehicle for a salvation message, nothing like that.

It weaves an interesting tale while touching on over medication, administrative greed, as well as portrays that some medical staff cares about their patients.

Shows the imperfection of the human vessel and the frailty of the mind.

Its a good drama. I recommend it, but not for a date night or for younger kids. The subject matters shown and alluded to are for a mature audience.

Very unique and enjoyable watch!

[TvandMoviefan1 · 10/10 · 16 December 2021]

I really enjoyed this film. It was refreshing to watch. This movie has heart, its original, it's funny but it also has its dramatic moments. It isn't meant to taken too seriously but also has deep meaning behind the events that occur. I found it unique and entertaining.

"Would you sit with me?"

[Wuchakk · 8/10 · 13 November 2022]

At a psychiatric hospital in middle America a no-name drifter (Colin Matty) is brought in by the police, covered in a white sheet because he was naked. While he is likable and his eccentric ways win over the patients, the faculty isn't so sure (Afton Rentz, Griffin Cork, etc.), especially when a new boss takes over (Darrell Portz).

"John, 316" (2020) is a mental hospital drama that's naturally reminiscent of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975), but with a supernatural element similar to "The Green Mile" (1999) and a protagonist who recalls Toni Collette of "The Sixth Sense" (1999).

It's amazing this only cost $75,000 (or $100,000 in Canadian dollars) because it's a worthy drama with entertaining bits and potent insights. Sure, it's not on the level of "Cuckoo's Nest" or "Green Mile," but I prefer it to "Sixth Sense" for several reasons. You get to know the characters and buy them as real people. Only Portz hams it up a bit, but it fits his antagonistic role.

The spiritual points connected with me and they're way more than just what relates to the title. I'm not going to give 'em away, yet they're there for all to see; you just have to look beyond society's programming (brainwashing). One simple scene could easily be missed it's so mundane, but it speaks deep cosmic truth.

The movie runs 1 hour, 43 minutes, and was shot in Alberta, Canada, at Alberta Beach & Edmonton (hospital). Alberta Beach is about 45 miles west of the big city.

GRADE: B+/A-

Intrigue! Redemptive?

[Oldschooldoom · 9/10 · 8 December 2021]

The appearance suggests this to be another low budget Christian movie. The title, picture, trailer, no name actors and low reviews are intended to suck in Christians.

But this movie does not proclaim to made by Christians or for Christians as surely as John never proclaims to be Jesus Christ. Be warned, even if this movie has a somewhat redemptive ending, it is not a Christian movie. Pervasive swearing and implied sex is not found in Christian movies. Writers today feel it helps ratings to make things 'real'.

On a positive note, this movie does expose the harsh reality of how mental illness, psychiatric administration and ultimately big pharma has misbehaved in the past. I can only hope we are getting better.

'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

[notanaxkiller-107-287911 · 9/10 · 10 December 2021]

What a remarkable movie! It is a reinforcement of our own abilities to heal ourselves, and also a condemnation of the drug companies, and healthcare, and governments for making us dependent on them. Health is not just a physical matter. It is mental, emotional, and spiritual as well. It is also freedom. Many people have survived severe conditions, due to their faith that they can. It Is possible to lie down and die. It's my opinion that most people don't leave their body until their will to live is no longer strong enough to overcome the pain, and misery of life. And the pain and misery WILL come, if you live long enough. The patients in that facility had given up, until they found someone...something to believe in. John was just a metaphor for the hope that stays with us . And our faith in God. They found that again, and with it, a will to go on. They were looking for a miracle, and they found it in themselves, and wanted to tell everyone about it. 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

A journey exploring faith, and choosing a path between right and wrong.

[victoriapilotyyc · 10/10 · 21 September 2022]

I really enjoyed watching John, 316. I thought it was a unique story, that questioned the power of faith, and finding the right path to choose in situations that wade into the grey zone of morality.

I used to work in group homes and there were constantly situations that arose that drifted into the grey area of choosing what was right to do or choosing to follow the rules. I really related to Abby's struggle to understand and accept John, because she was trying to do everything by the rule book, to be a good worker, to not get in trouble, and she was propbably taught the rules were always the best for patients. However, John was a unique case that pushed the boundaries on the rules, and showed that potentially other forms of treatment could be better for the patients, ie. Less meds.

Whether Abby believed in John's miracles or not, she began to see a positivity from his prescence on the other patients, so when the big pharma excutives took over the hospital, she fought for John.

I think this was a lovely film, and reccomend it!