Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Faith-based romance lacks book's chemistry; sex, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Redeeming Love
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 33 parent reviews
Parents say this film presents a deeply emotional narrative about trauma, redemption, and unconditional love; however, many viewers express concern over its explicit sexual content and graphic scenes, which they believe make it inappropriate for younger audiences. While some appreciate its faith-based messages and character development, others feel it strays too far from the spirit of the original book and lacks sufficient spiritual depth.
- emotional narrative
- explicit content
- inappropriate for children
- faith-based messages
- mixed responses
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say the movie presents a powerful story of redemption and forgiveness, but it is marred by dark and explicit themes including violence and sexual content, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. While some viewers appreciate the deep messages and emotional impact, many criticize it for its graphic nature and question its classification as a Christian film.
- redemption story
- explicit content
- dark themes
- not for children
- emotional impact
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Based on author Francine Rivers' best-selling 1991 Christian romance novel, REDEEMING LOVE takes place in the 1850 Gold Rush town of Pair-a-Dice, California, where Angel (Abigail Cowen) is the most sought-after sex worker in the town's classiest brothel, run by powerful madam Duchess (Famke Janssen). Men enter a daily lottery for the chance to pay for Angel's services. One day, a handsome, humble farmer named Michael Hosea (newcomer Tom Lewis) prays to God for a wife and then is struck instantly with the certainty that Angel will be that wife when he sees her walking around town. Michael pays for time with her, but just to talk -- and to try to convince her that she's meant to marry him. After Angel (who has a traumatic history of domestic, sexual, and emotional abuse) is bloodily beaten, she agrees to leave with Michael, but she remains uninterested in being a wife, while he remains steadfast in his faith that they're meant to be together. The movie, like the book, is inspired by the Old Testament story of the prophet Hosea and and his adulterous wife, Gomer.
Is It Any Good?
Even fans of Rivers' beloved Christian romance aren't likely to think that this uninspired, overlong adaptation does the sweeping story justice. Cowen, who's probably best known for the Netflix series Fate: The Winx Saga, tries to imbue Angel with the emotional detachment you might expect from a trauma survivor. Lewis is less convincing/successful. In only his third screen project, the classically trained British actor (reportedly a graduate of the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) doesn't seem comfortable with the role, the accent (it's one of the worst approximations of a Southern accent in recent memory), or even his co-star. Cowen's best scenes are with the other sex workers -- like Lucky (Derry Girls star Jamie-Lee O'Donnell), a young Irish woman who loves to drink, and Mai Ling (Ke-Xi Wu), who was sold to Duchess by her father. There's a real sense of camaraderie among the trio.
Although the movie is much more mature than the average faith-based movie (with sex work, pedophilia, domestic abuse, sex scenes, etc.), it's still as much a love story between the main character and God as it is a romance between a faithful man and a "fallen woman." And Christian viewers are likely to have a different reaction to the plot than non-Christians. To the former, Michael's actions might be easy to understand as a beautiful expression of his conviction in God's promises and the sanctity of marriage; to the latter, he might seem more like a misguided stalker (albeit one who doesn't require sex for his kindness) who all but kidnaps Angel and forces her to be his wife and farmhand. Despite the film's shortcomings, Logan Marshall-Green, Nina Dobrev, and Eric Dane are memorable in supporting roles as Michael's skeptical brother-in-law, Paul; Angel's put-upon single mother; and Angel's evil former "owner" (Dane channels his Euphoria villainy here), respectively. Ultimately, it's easier to get invested in the Job-like nature of Angel's many tribulations and Michael's enduring love on the page. On the screen, this adaptation underdelivers -- but at least a portion of the movie's proceeds go to combating human trafficking.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Redeeming Love's messages. What love does the title refer to? Do you need to be a Christian or know the story of Hosea to enjoy the movie? Who do you think the movie's target audience is?
What does Angel mean when she says she doesn't need or want to be owned again? How does her relationship with Michael evolve?
How do the characters demonstrate character strengths like empathy and perseverance? Which characters do you consider role models?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 21, 2022
- On DVD or streaming : March 8, 2022
- Cast : Abigail Cowen , Tom Lewis , Famke Janssen
- Director : D.J. Caruso
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Book Characters , History
- Run time : 134 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mature thematic content, sexual content, partial nudity, and strong violent content
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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