Watch Free in Deed

In 2015, “Free in Deed” was released in the American film industry. Based on true events, the film depicts the story of a preacher’s attempts to exorcise a young boy’s demons, with tragic consequences. Directed by Jake Mahaffy, the film stars David Harewood, Edwina Findley, and RaJay Chandler in lead roles.

The movie follows the life of a young mother, Melva, who is struggling to provide for her son, Benny. Determined to give her son a better life, she turns to the church for help. There, she meets Abe, a preacher who claims to be able to help Benny by performing a religious exorcism. Despite initial hesitation, Melva agrees to let Abe help Benny.

The film is set in Memphis, Tennessee, and features the inner workings of a tightly-knit religious community, using the Serpentarius Church as a basis for the film's central story.

As the story progresses, the audience is shown the struggles of Melva, a single mother, who is trying to make ends meet, while raising her son as the only guardian. Benny, on the other hand, is a young boy, with an unknown and mysterious ailment that causes him to have violent episodes. He is unable to communicate, and the only way he can convey his pain is through violent outbursts.

Desperate to help her son, Melva seeks help from the Serpentarius Church which is known for their fiery passion and charismatic preaching. She meets Abe, one of the church preachers, and shares her concerns about Benny, hoping that he will cure him. Unbeknownst to Melva, Abe has never performed an exorcism before and does not have the expertise or authority to carry it out.

As a result, the exorcism goes tragically wrong, and Benny dies. The community is shrouded in mystery as they struggle to understand what has happened. The story follows the aftermath of Benny’s death, how the community reacts to it, and how it affects Melva, Abe, and the entire church.

David Harewood plays the character of Abe, a preacher who is tasked with performing the exorcism. His character is conflicted, as he is unsure about his own abilities to perform the exorcism but still decides to go ahead with it. Through the portrayal, the character's internal conflicts are highlighted, ultimately leading to a heart-wrenching scene in the film.

Edwina Findley portrays the character of Melva, Benny's mother. Her performance as Melva is spot on, with her struggles and desperation for a cure for her son being portrayed effectively. The character showcases raw emotions and a mother's unending love for her son.

RaJay Chandler played the role of Benny, the young boy who suffers from unexplained ailments. He portrays his character beautifully, navigating through a spectrum of emotions and physical reactions. Though he doesn't have much dialogue, Chandler's emotive expressions and body language convey much of the character's pain and anguish.

The film is excellently directed by Jake Mahaffy. He perfectly captures the essence of the tight-knit religious community in Memphis and their beliefs and customs. The movie also features an emotive musical score from T. Griffin that enhances the intensity and rawness of the story.

Overall, “Free in Deed” is an emotionally charged film that captures the powerful interactions between religious beliefs and desperation for a cure. The story is incredibly moving and impactful, with stunning performances, and an unforgettable portrayal of the community and its customs. This film is a must-watch for those interested in exploring the depths of religious beliefs and their effects on society.

Free in Deed is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 81.