Parents' Guide to

Courageous

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Despite violence, Christian fatherhood drama is uplifting.

Movie PG-13 2011 130 minutes
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A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 10+

Based on 17 parent reviews

Eddy P.
Eddy P. Adult
February 20, 2023
age 12+

Fatherhood and manhood

As a man of faith, currently, 22 years of age, I am at a stage in my where I have to start transitioning from a boy to a man, and really start thinking about potentially being a husband or father. This film depicts truths of life, and the truth is that hardship is inevitable, life is not a breeze, but the question is how as a man you react to that. The main character Adam falls into hardship when a tragic accident hits his family, as expected, there's a period of struggle, and grieving, but Adam searched for a remedy to his pain and found it within the Bible. Motivated and inspired, Adam wanted to share his newfound experience with God with his group of officers and create an oath that as a father and husband, they will uphold each member of their family and protect them at all costs. It was a beautiful moment to see men turn to God for strength to become better fathers and husbands. In a society that is desperately in need of strong fathers and husbands this film, absolutely depicts that. Despite the difference in denominations, the underlying message is universal, turn to God, and find strength in Him, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" ( Philippians 4:13). In particular to the heads of the domestic churches, the heads of the family, the father. Through this film, more awareness and better attitudes of fatherhood can result in it.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
Tammy C.
Tammy C. Parent
August 17, 2017
age 8+

Best movie ever!

I thought the credit messenger gave a bad review.This is one movie everyone should see especially for fathers! You will be so happy that you saw this movie! This movie was so inspiring for everyone even bad credit messenger. I watch this over and over. Great for teen girls also who contemplate premarital affairs, great if you lossed a child this might help your grieving. Excellent movie!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
See all 17 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Adam (Alex Kendrick) is a police officer in a small Georgia town. When Nathan (Ken Bevel) transfers to the squad from a bigger city, the two of them and their partners, Shane (Kevin Downes) and David (Ben Davies), form an easy friendship centered around work and socializing with their families. After a tragic accident strikes Adam's family, he's at first distraught; but then he decides to study the Bible for enlightenment about what it takes to a righteous father. After weeks of research and prayer, Adam creates a special contract that he plans to sign to as a sacred oath. His friends agree to join him -- even David, who isn't a Christian at the start of the movie. Just as the four men are settling into their renewed roles as godly fathers, one of them compromises himself -- and forces his colleagues to decide whether to cover for him or keep him accountable to their shared oath.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (17):
Kids say (38):

In some ways, this is the best film produced to date by Kendrick and the other filmmakers at Sherwood Baptist Church. The production values are good, a couple of the actors -- particularly Bevel and Davies -- seem like pros, and they're obviously using their profits from Fireproof to up the ante here. But for secular audiences or those who don't already believe in the Evangelical idea of what constitutes a good Christian family, the movie could be off-putting once the focus shifts to Adam's mission in the second half.

It's not that the plot isn't touching or the message inspiring -- every man should aspire to be a wonderful, loving father who puts his children first, even when it's not convenient. But so much of the film feels like an invitation not just to church but to a very specific kind of Christianity that it's hard not to feel preached to, even though there are some genuinely poignant moments. Ultimately the appeal here is for those who already believe, in which case the movie is a call to action and reaffirmation to be the ideal Christian father.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what makes a good father. What does this movie teach about the meaning of fatherhood? Does that match your own experience?

  • Do you have to be a Christian to understand or appreciate what this movie is saying about fatherhood and life in general?

  • Do you think the violent/tense scenes were necessary to the story? Why or why not?

Movie Details

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