Soul on Fire

From the old bald guy: Very enjoyable and life-affirming. William H. Macy's interpretation of old Jack Buck is one of the centerpieces of this film. John Corbett's performance as John O'Leary's father is even more resonant. All the performances here were spot on. The pacing was excellent. The underlying truths of all this even more so. THere was a lot to take in here and I enjoyed every minute of it,

Soul on Fire (2025) is a deeply emotional and thought-provoking Christian drama that captures the pain, perseverance, and faith of a young boy whose life changes forever after a tragic fire leaves him with severe burns over his entire body. Based on a true story, the film explores themes of redemption, faith, and self-acceptance through a lens that feels raw, honest, and deeply human.

From the very first scene, Soul on Fire grips you by the heart. The opening sequence - depicting the fire and its aftermath - is devastating and powerfully executed. It doesn't hold back, and it sets the tone for the entire film: one of heartbreak, struggle, and ultimately, hope. I found myself in tears within minutes, completely absorbed in this young man's journey and the emotional weight of his suffering.

What makes this film especially powerful is its authenticity. It doesn't try to sugarcoat trauma or overly dramatize faith. Instead, it shows the slow, painful process of healing - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The boy's feelings of isolation, fear, and self-loathing are heartbreaking, and the film handles those emotions with respect and depth. You can feel his pain, but also his determination to rise above it through faith and love.

The performances, particularly from the actors playing the parents, are outstanding. The mother's heartbreak and the father's quiet strength ground the story in genuine family emotion. While they take a backseat after the first act, their early presence helps build the foundation of love and faith that sustains their son throughout his journey. The lead actor portraying the boy does an excellent job at embodying both the physical and emotional scars, making his story truly resonate.

From a filmmaking standpoint, Soul on Fire isn't perfect. There are moments where the pacing slows, and certain story beats could've been pushed further to really hit those climactic emotional peaks. A few scenes hold back just when you want the film to go for the gut punch - to take that leap of faith, fall, and then rise again in full redemption. Even so, the story remains engaging and heartfelt from start to finish.

What impressed me most is that, while it's a Christian film, it doesn't rely on preaching. Instead, it lives through faith. You see God's work through endurance, forgiveness, and love - not just through words, but through action. That subtle balance makes the message even more powerful.

Ultimately, Soul on Fire is a touching reminder that no matter how scarred we are - inside or out - God's grace can still bring healing and purpose. It's not a flawless film, but it's an inspiring one, full of heart, courage, and meaning. A true story of faith that lingers with you long after the credits roll.

Joel Courtney who played the burn victim, John O' Leary played his part very well as did young James McCracken who played young John. William H Macy performed a very believable Cardinals play by play announcer. John Corbett was very good as Dennis O'Leary, John's father.

This is definitely a tear jerker so bring plenty of tissues. It was nice seeing John O' Leary in the movie and please make sure you stick around after the movie for plenty of pictures of the actual O'Leary family as the years went by.

9 year old John O'Leary sets himself and his family home on fire. He isn't given much of a chance after burning 100% of his body. This is a biopic. I've never heard of John O'Leary. It's a fine inspirational story, but it is also very by-the-book. He's a young boy and that elicits a lot of sympathy. The fire generates emotions by the siblings. I do like some of the recovery. I don't know Jack Buck. It may be helpful to give him a better introduction. The more compelling part is actually the romance. This is fine.

The story is indeed touching, but it may not be the right choice if you're looking for a film to strengthen your family's Christian faith. The main character drinks excessively from beginning to end, portraying it as something normal, which sets a poor example. Aside from a couple of brief moments and one or two Christian songs, the film makes very little reference to God.

Additionally, the characters' motivations and connections are left quite vague, making it hard to fully engage with their actions. The film also lacks quality in some fundamental areas, such as special effects, editing (with several disjointed scenes), and overall storytelling progression.

In my opinion, it's more suited for a quiet night at home with your spouse rather than a family outing to the cinema, as I unfortunately chose.