We Are Stronger
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We Are Stronger
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that We Are Stronger is a Christian story about a career soldier's struggle with PTSD and his journey toward learning to heal. Other faiths aren't mentioned, and everyone is assumed to believe in the Christian God. Violence includes some blood shown in the aftermath of combat, a trauma survivor telling indirectly about past childhood sexual abuse, and a soldier who had to listen to enemy soldiers repeatedly raping -- hearing the screams of their victims. Alcohol and drug abuse, suicide, and divorce as prominent consequences of not dealing effectively with trauma are mentioned. A minor character smokes. There are lots of messages about the power of God and Christ to heal, the importance of sharing, and seeking help because you can't heal alone. Kids demonstrate how they're taught to proselytize.
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What's the Story?
WE ARE STRONGER tells the story of Master Sergeant Vic Raphael (Ulises Larramendi). Although he was deployed many times in his 20-year Army career, Vic's last deployment left him seriously wounded and guilt-ridden over the death of one of his men. Now back home, retired, and confined to a wheelchair, Vic refuses to see the symptoms of PTSD in himself, and refuses to seek help or to try to improve himself in any way. To make his wife, Michelle (Angela Sweet), happy, he grudgingly agrees to see a counselor, but still doesn't want to talk about anything. Will Vic ever be able to heal from his trauma?
Is It Any Good?
This well-intentioned Christian movie about healing from trauma has a few touching moments, but a weak script and sometimes amateurish acting keep it from genuinely moving the secular viewer. Instead of an in-depth character study about faith and healing, We Are Stronger simply moves from one clichéd exchange of dialogue to another. Viewers can understand and care about the plight of those recovering from trauma, but we never really feel like we're getting to a profound understanding of Vic personally or individually.
Christians who are looking for help for themselves or a loved one will find a lot of resources for Christ-centered healing, and will be moved by Vic and Michelle's story. Secular viewers may be put off by the default assumption that everyone is Christian, but those that stick with it may appreciate secular messages about healing through sharing pain and understanding that we're not alone. Brief blood, mature themes, and a story of past sexual abuse make it best for teens and up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Christian messages in We Are Stronger. How important is faith in God, and Christ in particular, to healing from trauma? Do the messages apply to other faiths? How accessible are the messages to non-Christians and non-believers?
What are Vic's and Michelle's character strengths? What do you like about them? What are their flaws? Can you relate to them?
Do you know anyone who's been through a traumatic experience? How can you help? If you've been through trauma yourself, where can you get help?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: September 15, 2017
- Cast: Ulises Larramendi, Angela Sweet
- Director: Robin B. Murray
- Studio: Reflective Media Productions
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Friendship, History
- Run time: 125 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: Mature thematic material and brief bloody war images.
- Last updated: September 21, 2019
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