GOD’S COUNTRY
There’s No Place Like God’s Country.
Should You Watch It?
GOD’S COUNTRY offers an entertaining, inspiring story of redemption. Its central conflict places a high-powered investment-bank representative against a ministry struggling to keep its land, then gives her six days to discover whether that ministry has real value.
The film’s strongest gifts are its positive, redemptive plotline and its plausible presentation of the Gospel. Jenn Gotzon delivers an extremely good performance, and most of the acting is good. Some dialogue is stilted, but most of it works well.
If you want a Christian drama that may convict and transform you while telling an accessible story, this is worth your time. Older children and adults should watch GOD’S COUNTRY.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESMegan is a tough, high-powered investment-bank representative who puts together major deals. Her latest assignment sends her to Nevada, where Japanese investors want to develop part of the Mojave Desert into a new Las Vegas.
A ministry owns some of the land but does not want to sell, even though it cannot make the mortgage payments. Megan’s boss sends her to negotiate with the minister, who challenges her to stay six days and discover whether the ministry’s work has value.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means GOD’S COUNTRY is a solid, entertaining drama with meaningful strengths and some imperfections. Jenn Gotzon is perfect for the role of Megan and does an extremely good job portraying someone very different from herself. Most of the other acting is good as well.
The plot is positive and redemptive, and the Gospel is woven into the story in a very plausible way. The main weakness is that some dialogue is stilted, though most of it is very good.
The Worldview
GOD’S COUNTRY presents Christian faith and ministry positively. Its story exalts redemption, loving people, and the possibility that a person driven by selfish greed can be changed by what matters eternally. The Gospel is woven into the story in a very plausible way, and the ministry’s work is treated as something with genuine value.
The film also contrasts large financial ambitions with the ministry’s needs. A major development project promises a new Las Vegas, while the ministry faces difficulty making its mortgage payments. The source review does not identify a specific distortion or departure from a biblical view.
At the center is a question of what—and whom—we value. Scripture says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian, evangelistic worldview; no foul language; no violence; no sex; no nudity; mild alcohol use; no smoking or drugs; and, lying but rebuked.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Megan has to consider whether her ambitions have made her selfish. What does Jesus say about gaining the world while losing your soul?
Mark 8:36The ministry’s land and work are placed beside a major development project. What does it mean to use what God has given us faithfully?
1 Peter 4:10 · Luke 16:10The story is described as one of redemption. How does the Bible describe the kind of change God brings in a person’s life?
2 Corinthians 5:17 · Ephesians 4:22–24The content guide says lying is rebuked. Why does Scripture call us to speak truthfully, even when dishonesty seems useful?
Ephesians 4:25 · Proverbs 12:22The Final Word
GOD’S COUNTRY is an entertaining, inspiring Christian drama with a positive message, a strong lead performance, and a redemptive story. Some dialogue is stilted, but the film’s convictions are clear and its Gospel message is plausible. For older children and adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP.
