Disciples in the Moonlight

Disciples In The Moonlight (2024) is a cinematic fever dream, a glimpse into a bizarre alternate reality where conservatives' persecution fantasies run wild. It seems the only oppression they can find is in the realm of shoddy fiction, a world where their fervent desire to be silenced and marginalized finally comes true. This film is a testament to that yearning, a desperate cry for victimhood that echoes through a right-wing funhouse mirror in the Twilight Zone.

The plot is as predictable as it is ludicrous, with cardboard cutout characters spouting tired clichés about religious freedom under attack. The acting is uniformly awful, with each performer seemingly vying for the title of "Most Melodramatic Martyr." The cinematography is dull and lifeless, mirroring the film's intellectual vacuity.

Disciples In The Moonlight is not just a bad film; it's a window into a distorted worldview where reality is twisted to fit a pre-determined narrative. It's a film that thrives on fear and resentment, preying on the anxieties of those who feel threatened by a changing world. If you're looking for a thought-provoking and nuanced exploration of faith and freedom, look elsewhere. This film offers nothing but cheap thrills and hollow propaganda.

Before anyone thinks I am anti-Christian when they read my review, I can say I am the most devout Christian of the faith. However, filmmakers are not making films that truly celebrate Christianity to the level it deserves. Most of the actors were believable but the story became more and more disinteresting. Most of the world does not hate Christianity. The problem is the hypocrites. Billy Graham was the true example of a faithful Christian but his son Franklin is a hypocrite. Dr. Graham spoke repeatedly about Franklin's struggles to actually practice what he preached but was never a faithful practicing Christian. Unfortunately, there was no point to this movie. A wasted effort.

I wanted to like this and decided to ignore the many bad reviews. The idea that Christianity may someday be outlawed is not far-fetched in today's world and all over the world people are being policed for their viewpoints and speech so the basis for this movie is solid. Problem is the writing and directing are a huge letdown. This movie is more than 2 hours long and doesn't really get going in any type of action till about 1 hour and 16 minutes in. That first hour is hard to get through and I struggled to stay awake. The people who made this knew how to bring on the emotions but there isn't much in the way of thrills, suspense or action considering it's about a group of people risking their lives to get bibles across state lines. I see the effort was there but ultimately it's a failure as a compelling movie. The 4 stars is being kind of generous.

There's obviously someone being paid or who has a stake in this film giving the rave 10 star reviews because the film is unfortunately worthless... which is putting it nicely. The plot initially sounds interesting but once you actually watch the movie you realize most of the scenes are quite predictable with no real twist or surprises with the exception of the ending The script appears to be written by someone who's very arrogant and conceited. What surprises me most about this film is it's cast of Myles Clohessy and Baylee Toney. Primarily because both engaged in adultery with each other in real life (while Myles was still married to his now ex-wife Jhessica A. And were supposed to believe they're truly trying to ensure the bible lives on? Do they even know what the bible says about committing adultery?

The same people who like to censor, ban, and burn all kinds of books they don't like are now producing self-indulgent fantasy propaganda where they are the victims of actions they do to others in real life. And while it promotes itself as a "Christian story," this doesn't have anything to do with Christianity or the actual teachings of Jesus. This was made following a twisted idea of religiosity tied to political groups that continues to sell the idea to evangelicals that they are persecuted martyrs in order to create among them this sense of fear and entitlement to discriminate and persecute others that are not evangelicals, the same way they think they are treated. The hypocrisy is astounding.

As for the technical aspect, the "movie" is laughable but without being funny. It looks horrible, as if it was made by people who knew nothing about directing, lighting, acting, or editing and only had the concern, not to make anything of artistic value, but to spread their intended propaganda to justify the money they received from their donor and to grift a few bucks from a few evangelicals.