END OF THE SPEAR
A powerful story of courage, forgiveness, and the Gospel.
Should You Watch It?
Yes. End of the Spear tells a powerful story of missionaries who risked their lives to reach a violent tribe, followed by the wives who chose to bring the Gospel to the people who killed their husbands. The film’s central themes—courage, peace, forgiveness, and transformation—give it genuine spiritual and emotional weight.
The violence is intense in places, including spearing with blood, but the source review says it is not excessive. Younger children may still find it difficult. The film also explains the story of Christ without using the name of Jesus.
If your family can handle the violence, this is worth seeing for its moving Christian message and dramatic power.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESIn the 1950s, five missionaries seek contact with the Waodani, a fierce tribe in the jungles of Ecuador whose revenge killings have nearly destroyed the community. Missionary Nate Saint begins flying over the jungle and lowering gifts in a bucket to the people below.
Eventually, the missionaries land on a river sandbar and make contact. Their families must then decide what courage and forgiveness require when a dangerous mission takes a devastating turn.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this film is exceptionally powerful, and the source review strongly supports that judgment. The drama is intense and moving, with music that wonderfully supports the story and an authentic look that helps the missionaries feel like young people in the 1950s.
The film was made on a relatively small budget, and some jungle scenes are slightly repetitive. More cameras might have added depth to the direction. Those limitations do not overwhelm the film’s strengths. The filmmakers have captured the power of this classic story, and its ending moved screening audiences to tears.
The Worldview
The film presents a strongly Christian, moral, and biblical worldview. It exalts courage, peace, forgiveness, sacrificial love, and the power of the Gospel to transform people trapped in violence. The missionaries respond to murder not with revenge but by bringing the story of God’s Son to the tribe.
The film discusses native pagan beliefs and presents them as superseded by the missionaries’ message. God is named in the native language, and the story of Christ is explained, but the film does not use the name of Jesus. That omission may trouble Christian viewers, even though the film’s central message remains clearly Christian.
The film’s casting is authentic, with the missionaries looking like college students in the 1950s. This supports the story’s period setting and makes the missionaries’ courage feel grounded and human.
The film’s vision of peace and forgiveness aligns with Christ’s call to reconciliation: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian, moral and biblical worldview, some discussion of native pagan beliefs, which is superseded by missionaries bringing the story of God's Son, God is named in the native language, and the name of Jesus is not used though the Son of God is discussed; no foul language; some intense violence including men speared with blood shown, people beaten, natives battle, people hit by machetes, all of which deserves a caution for young children but is not excessive; friendly hugging and kissing, and discussions of woman being pregnant; natives in loincloths and man in boxer shorts; no alcohol; no smoking; and, nothing else objectionable.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The missionaries answer violence with peace and forgiveness. What makes forgiveness courageous, and where might God be asking you to practice it?
Matthew 5:9 · Ephesians 4:32The Waodani have nearly destroyed themselves through revenge killings. What does revenge promise, and what does Scripture say God wants us to do instead?
Romans 12:19–21 · Proverbs 15:1The missionaries bring the story of God’s Son to people who have never heard it. Why is sharing the Gospel an act of love?
Matthew 28:19–20 · Romans 10:14–15The film shows a message of peace transforming a violent community. Where do you need Christ’s peace to reshape your own responses?
John 14:27 · Colossians 3:15The Final Word
End of the Spear is a powerful, authentic drama about courage, forgiveness, and the Gospel. Its intense violence calls for parental discernment with younger children, but older children and adults can find much to discuss and admire. Our answer is clear: WORTH THE TRIP.
