Watch Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul.

"Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul." is a 2022 satirical comedy-drama that offers a sharp, insightful look at the intersection of faith, commerce, and personal redemption within the context of a modern megachurch. Directed by Adamma Ebo in her feature directorial debut, the film is based on Ebo's 2018 short film of the same name. It features standout performances by Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown as they portray a couple at the forefront of a Southern Baptist congregation, grappling with the fallout of a scandalous downfall and seeking a path to renewed prominence.

At the heart of the movie is the story of Trinity Childs, played by Regina Hall with a striking blend of vulnerability, resilience, and unfaltering faith. As the First Lady of the Wander to Greater Paths Baptist Church, she stands beside her pastor husband Lee-Curtis Childs, portrayed by the charismatic and always-engaging Sterling K. Brown. The film explores their attempts to rebuild their once-thriving megachurch and reputation after a series of allegations sparked a mass exodus of their devoted followers, leaving their enormous sanctuary echoing with emptiness.

As the couple embarks on a journey to make their anticipated Easter Sunday resurrection service a success, they must navigate an increasingly secular world that scrutinizes every move they make. This pressure is intensified by their decision to allow a documentary crew to capture their attempts to regain former glory, which serves as a narrative device supplying the film with a mockumentary feel. The couple's interactions with the crew, along with their private moments, shed light on the complexities of their relationship, the power dynamics at play, and their unwavering determination to regain their status in the community.

Nicole Beharie delivers a poignant performance as Shakura Sumpter, the enterprising leader of a rival church that has absorbed many of the defectors from the Childs' congregation. Beharie's presence in the film underscores the competitive nature of pastoral ministry within this subculture and adds an additional layer to the exploration of the protagonists' struggle to reclaim their flock from this charismatic newcomer.

The film also dives deep into the nuances of prosperity theology and the idea that faith can be rewarded with material wealth and success, a doctrine Lee-Curtis and Trinity have preached with conviction. Their expansive home, designer outfits, and luxury cars not only symbolize their success but also act as a testament to the blessings they claim come from faithful devotion. These symbols become touchstones of tension as the Childs must confront their own beliefs and the expectations of what it means to serve the Lord while leading a life of affluence.

Ebo's writing and direction tackle the material with a satirical edge that never fully lets go of empathy. "Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul." is a film that operates in the realm of absurdity to confront serious themes of corruption, resilience, and the human need for connection and forgiveness. The interplay of comedy and drama is handled with finesse, ensuring that while the audience may laugh at the absurdities of the Childs' situation, there is an undercurrent of genuine pathos.

Throughout their journey, Lee-Curtis and Trinity are shown grappling with the challenges of repentance and redemption. The film presents a nuanced portrayal of their private and public personas, highlighting contradictions with issues such as ego, leadership, and morality. The documentary crew's relentless gaze puts the Childs' attempts at transparency and their performance of piety under a microscope, adding a complex layer to the film's exploration of authenticity and image manipulation.

The aesthetic choices in "Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul." are both bold and deliberate, using vibrant colors, dynamic cinematography, and meticulous production design to capture the larger-than-life atmosphere of the megachurch world. The visuals support the themes by illustrating the contrast between the opulence of the Childs' past and the stark reality of their present.

In closing, "Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul." serves as a poignant and humorous examination of the often sensational world of megachurch culture, while also delivering a heartfelt narrative of two people's quest for absolution and relevance in a world that is constantly shifting beneath their feet. With stellar performances and a finely tuned balance of comedy and depth, the film is a provocative addition to the conversation about faith, morality, and the personal costs of public failure.

Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul. is a 2022 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3 and a MetaScore of 63.