FATHER STU: REBORN
A moving redemption story for older teens and adults.
Should You Watch It?
You should see FATHER STU: REBORN if you want an entertaining drama about a hard-edged man whose life is changed through faith. The film presents redemption as possible for everyone and centers transformation through Jesus Christ.
It is also a four-star production: well-made, well-acted, witty, and filled with touching moments. The PG-13 re-edit reduces the foul language from the original R-rated version, but some cursing, light sexual commentary, and heavy themes remain.
This is a good choice for older teenagers and adults who can use discernment about those concerns. For younger children, choose something gentler.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESStu has been badly beaten in the boxing ring, and his doctor warns him that continuing to fight could cost him his life. He moves to Hollywood, works as a butcher, and hopes to become an actor.
At the grocery store, Stu meets Carmen, who tells him she will only see him if he comes to church and helps teach Sunday School. Stu begins attending, though he is still far from changing his life. Then one night, after drinking too much, he gets on a motorcycle and is hit by a car.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means FATHER STU: REBORN succeeds both as entertainment and as a made film. It is well-made and well-acted, with witty humor and several touching moments that are deeply affecting.
The movie remains constantly entertaining even though the story changes direction toward the last third and its issues and plotline shift somewhat. Its strongest quality is the combination of a powerful, touching drama with a clear redemptive purpose.
The Worldview
The film presents a very strong Christian worldview with strong moral content from a Catholic perspective. Its central belief is that everyone can change and be transformed by Jesus Christ. Church, Sunday School, prayer, confession, Jesus, and redemption all belong to the film’s account of that transformation.
The film does not present Stu as changed immediately. He begins as a rough man with a hard life who critiques the Mass and continues making poor choices. His transformation unfolds as he encounters Christian faith and faces the consequences of his actions.
The film’s central longing is for a life to be redeemed and made new. Scripture describes that hope plainly: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Very strong Christian worldview with strong moral content from a Catholic perspective where Jesus appears to a man, the Virgin Mary appears to a man, man comes back to life after prayer, confession occurs, a Jesus statue is shown, man hits Jesus figure, but nothing happens to it, and there’s redemption and transformation by the appearance of Jesus, plus there’s a reference to a homosexual encounter, and one man is shown dressed in women’s clothes
Foul Language
Seven obscenities and two profanities
Violence
Some strong fight scenes and other violence, such as a bar fight, man gets hit by a car, a boxing fight with blood, and a man hits another man
Sex
It’s implied that one man is doing a sexual act for another man, there’s implied sex outside of marriage, and a man dressed in women’s clothes is shown walking around
Nudity
Upper male nudity
Alcohol Use
Some drinking and drunkenness
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
Smoking, but no drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Some lying.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Stu begins with a hard life and poor choices but is not beyond transformation. What does it mean to believe that no one is beyond Christ’s reach?
2 Corinthians 5:17 · Luke 19:10Carmen invites Stu into church and Sunday School. How can a simple invitation help someone take a first step toward God?
Romans 10:14–15 · Hebrews 10:24–25Stu drinks too much and then rides a motorcycle. How should freedom and responsibility shape the choices we make?
1 Corinthians 6:12 · Ephesians 5:18The film centers redemption and change through Jesus Christ. Where do you most need God to make you new?
Psalm 51:10 · Ezekiel 36:26The Final Word
FATHER STU: REBORN is a powerful, well-made, well-acted drama about redemption through Jesus Christ. Its language, sexual themes, drinking, violence, and heavy material call for discernment. For older teenagers and adults, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP — OLDER TEENS AND ADULTS.
