Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Reboot of faith-based indie hit is confused and awkward.
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Left Behind
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say that this film, despite its mixed reviews, has garnered appreciation from some for its Christian themes and messages, while others critique its plot, pacing, and acting as poor. Viewers find the film to be a blend of awkwardness and unintended humor, resulting in varying opinions on its overall value and execution.
- mixed reviews
- christian themes
- poor execution
- awkward humor
- slow pacing
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Chloe Steele (Cassi Thomson) hasn't been home from college in a while because her mom (Lea Thompson) has gotten very religious, and things are awkward. Chloe visits for her dad Ray's birthday, but Ray (Nicolas Cage), an airline pilot, has agreed to fly to London. Chloe finds him at the airport and fears that he's having an affair with a pretty flight attendant (Nicky Whelan). She also meets a star TV reporter, Buck Williams (Chad Michael Murray), who's on her father's flight and who lends her a sympathetic ear. But then millions of people, including all children, suddenly disappear, sending the world into a panic. Chloe tries to find her brother and her mom, while Ray must single-handedly get his aircraft safely on the ground.
Is It Any Good?
Directed by legendary stuntman Vic Armstrong, LEFT BEHIND is a bigger-budget but subpar reboot of the faith-based indie hit from 2000, itself based on a series of best-selling novels. Everything revolves around the simultaneous fear of -- and desire for -- The Rapture. But the movie's crucial flaw is that the filmmakers want to create sympathetic characters out of those who were deemed sinners and thus not delivered to God. Viewers are supposed to like them but not want to be like them (even though they all fly first class).
Aside from that faulty conceit, the movie, on a pure thriller level, is a massive collection of awkward, poorly written character moments and supposedly spectacular set pieces that are stretched far too thin. The big moment is over in just a few seconds, and the rest is all a bad disaster film. Certainly there are profound, spiritual movies in the world and movies that could enhance your faith, but Left Behind preaches only to the converted.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Left Behind's violence. How did it affect you? How much is shown, and how much is implied? How skillfully does the movie convey the sense of scale of this event?
What's the movie's message? Does it inspire faith or spirituality? Is it a warning?
Are the characters sympathetic, even though they were left behind? What are their faults? Can they be forgiven?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 3, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : January 6, 2015
- Cast : Nicolas Cage , Chad Michael Murray , Cassi Thomson
- Director : Vic Armstrong
- Studios : Freestyle Releasing , eOne Entertainment
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some thematic elements, violence/peril and brief drug content
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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