Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
Be the Light
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Earnest, faith-based tearjerker shows the power of love.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Be the Light
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
BE THE LIGHT is about Celina (Cara Santana), a good-time, heavy-drinking partyer with a troubled past. And now her drinking is making her cause problems for her best friend and disappointing her 9-year-old daughter. Her life takes a sudden turn when she gets a letter from her estranged father Ramon (Michael DeLorenzo), who asks to see her because he's only got a year left to live. Celina's childhood friend Marvin (Malcolm Goodwin, who also directs) is trying to raise money so that Ramon can get better treatment before it's too late. By helping Marvin and her father, Celina starts to see the true power of love and forgiveness to heal. She also learns the power of coming together as a family and a community. But even with all that, will they be able to raise enough money in time to help Ramon?
Is It Any Good?
This earnest, terminal-illness tearjerker is sometimes predictable and clichéd, but the engaging cast and solid storytelling help the viewer get past those problems. Be the Light is a fine choice for families who can handle the sadness from the death of a loved one and who are looking for diverse, positive representations and uplifting messages about family, love, and forgiveness.
Of course, the plot involves a plucky group of friends entering a talent contest, and unfortunately the singing, songwriting, and dancing are a bit uneven. But it's refreshingly free of preachiness for a movie with strong religious themes. It also encourages viewers to see people for who they are and what they do now, not to judge them for what they used to do. Some iffy behavior, rare strong language, and nuanced situations make it best for teens and up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Be the Light portrays Celina. Is she a positive role model? What are her character strengths and weaknesses?
Why is it important for movies and other media to have diverse characters? Is it important to see people like yourself in the media? Does it affect the way you see people who are different from you?
What other faith-based movies have you seen? How does this one compare? Which is your favorite?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: September 11, 2020
- Cast: Cara Santana , Malcolm Goodwin , Tom Cavanagh
- Director: Malcolm Goodwin
- Inclusion Information: Latino actors
- Studio: Freestyle Digital Media
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 109 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate