The summer season is known for its crowd-pulling blockbusters. Still, this year, a spiritually-infused indie drama is competing against big names like Indiana Jones and stirring up political discussions.
“Sound of Freedom” narrates the tale of a government agent dedicated to taking down a child sexual abuse network operating within Colombia.
The lead character draws inspiration from Timothy Ballard, a former US Department of Homeland Security agent who established the anti-human trafficking organization Operation Underground Railroad (OUR).
Taking the form of an undercover agent, the narrative unfolds through tense action scenes set in the Colombian jungles that could easily fit into any conventional Hollywood movie.
The film review platform, Rotten Tomatoes, rates the film at 77% based on critics’ scores.
However, this isn’t your regular summer blockbuster. It has become a subject of the culture war, thanks to a string of conspiratorial remarks from its lead actor, Jim Caviezel, and the contentious themes the film explores.
Mixed Reviews
Rolling Stone describes “Sound of Freedom” as a “QAnon-infused thriller,” alluding to the wide-ranging conspiracy theory asserting that Donald Trump is battling a ring of satanic pedophiles.
This critical perspective, which refers to it as a “superhero movie for parents with brain worms,” largely echoes the reviews from left-leaning media. At the same time, right-leaning outlets have presented entirely different viewpoints.
Conservative National Review retorts, “Highlighting horrors that are very real is neither ‘paranoid’ nor ‘akin to QAnon.'”
The premise that powerful child sex trafficking rings exist everywhere is a fundamental part of QAnon. Nonetheless, the company producing the film refutes any claims of promoting conspiracy theories.
“Those who’ve watched this movie can confirm that it bears no relation to conspiracy theories,” states Jordan Harman, president of Angel Studios. “It tells the story of a brave man’s actions.”
Caviezel Endorses QAnon
Caviezel, however, has indeed made several public references to QAnon.
Having attended a QAnon conference in 2021 and frequently appearing on Steve Bannon’s podcast, he has openly endorsed QAnon as “a good thing.” Caviezel has even used QAnon’s specific language, warning of an impending “great storm” and referencing the “mystical properties” of adrenochrome, a chemical QAnon supporters falsely claim is harvested from the brains of child victims.
John Knefel, a journalist for left-wing media watchdog group Media Matters for America, said, “While Angel Studios tries to portray this movie as mainstream, Jim Caviezel fully embraces QAnon’s messages and theories. This might serve as a blueprint for popularizing extreme-right ideas under the disguise of a blockbuster movie.”
Past criticisms of Operation Underground Railroad and Timothy Ballard, suggesting exaggeration of their successes in tackling child abuse networks, may further fuel the conspiracy theory discourse, potentially detracting from legitimate efforts to confront a pressing issue.
“Anti-trafficking organizations have already argued that QAnon is obstructing their work. The film pivots around the baseless panic that massive trafficking rings are out to abduct American children,” says QAnon expert and author Mike Rothschild. “This film obfuscates the real issue of trafficking.”
Despite these criticisms, Ballard defends the film, stating that those referencing conspiracy theories are disconnected from the narrative. He also accused mainstream media of falsely labelling rescued children as part of a conspiracy.
Angel Studios continues to distance itself from the QAnon references and Caviezel’s comments, focusing on the film’s essential message about the suffering of children.
Despite a rocky journey to American theatres, the film has grossed over $40 million in just a week of its release, overshadowing the earnings of major titles like the latest Indiana Jones installment.
Apart from the political debate, the film has garnered some positive reviews, with Variety calling it a “well-executed, haunting thriller” tinged with an occasional overdose of Christian sentiment.
Meanwhile, Angel Studios has several other projects lined up, with President Harman stating that their community is “expanding rapidly.”
Despite the controversy surrounding “Sound of Freedom,” the film’s success at the box office and the polarized reviews demonstrate the potency of entertainment as a platform for engaging audiences with complex social issues. The impact of such films goes beyond the screens, provoking debates and discussions in society at large. Whether the film will alter public perspectives on the issues it depicts or add fuel to existing conspiracy theories, only time will tell.
