GOSNELL: THE TRIAL OF AMERICA’S BIGGEST SERIAL KILLER
A compelling pro-life courtroom drama for teenagers and adults.
Should You Watch It?
GOSNELL is a compelling, well-acted drama that presents the case against a late-term abortion doctor from a clear pro-life perspective. It also exposes the lack of oversight by the health departments in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania when it comes to abortion clinics.
The film does not beat viewers over the head with its political and moral perspective. Its strongest elements are Earl Billings’ creepy performance as Dr. Kermit Gosnell and the solid work from Dean Cain, Sarah Jane Morris, Nick Searcy and Cyrina Fiallo. The story also presents policemen who act with integrity and a prosecutor who faces difficult questions about the case.
The cost is disturbing material, including foul language, descriptions of abortion procedures and implied dead babies. See it if you are a teenager or adult prepared to engage seriously with those concerns; younger children should wait.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESDuring an investigation of Dr. Kermit Gosnell’s illegal prescription drug business, Philadelphia Detective James Woods discovers disturbing conditions at Gosnell’s abortion clinic. The investigation raises questions about late-term abortions, babies allegedly born alive and the clinic’s lack of oversight.
Assistant District Attorney Lexi McGuire, a pro-choice mother of five, takes the case to court despite serious obstacles. A witness may possess photographs that could help prove what happened—but will she testify?
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a compelling, well-acted drama that makes its case effectively. Earl Billings gives an appropriately creepy performance as Dr. Gosnell, while Dean Cain, Sarah Jane Morris, Nick Searcy and Cyrina Fiallo also do well.
Director Nick Searcy keeps the movie from simply becoming a political lecture. The courtroom investigation, the performances and the exposure of the clinic’s conditions give the film dramatic force. It is an important movie that should be seen by people on both sides of the abortion issue.
The Worldview
GOSNELL is firmly pro-life, presenting abortion as a moral issue involving the dignity and protection of unborn and newly born children. It condemns the clinic’s filthy conditions, illegal practices and lack of oversight, while portraying police officers who investigate the case with integrity. The film also includes positive Christian references and Christian and moral principles of justice.
At the same time, the movie does not overwhelm viewers with its political perspective. It presents people involved in the case who reconsider their defense of laws making abortion legal throughout the United States. The film’s central moral concern is that legal and governmental systems failed to protect vulnerable human beings.
The movie also identifies one man as Roman Catholic and includes a priest beginning a daughter’s wedding. It treats that faith identity positively, while showing that the defense attorney attempts to use the detective’s Catholic, pro-life convictions against him in court.
The film’s concern for justice connects with Scripture’s call to act rightly: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).
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 moral, generally pro-life worldview with some positive Christian references and Christian, moral principles of justice, plus one man is identified as a Roman Catholic, and a priest begins to perform the wedding for the man’s daughter, and there’s a good expose of the evils of the leftist, statist support for abortion on demand and there’s a positive view of American policemen who have integrity
Foul Language
13 obscenities (including several “s” words and a place is described as a “Hellhole”), plus man accidentally steps in cat feces at a filthy abortion clinic that’s not kept very clean
Violence
No actual violence, but there are implied dead human bodies of babies in many plastic bags at an abortion clinic, a couple images of tiny children’s feet in plastic specimen cups, several scenes describing abortion procedures and the murder of babies born alive during late-term abortion procedures, one scene shows the accidental death of an older woman during the immediate planning stages of an abortion procedure on a clinic hospital table, an image of the dried up corpse of a dead cat is shown, and one man seems ready to punch out another man who disparaged the man’s Catholic faith
Sex
No sexual content, but there is discussion of abortion with at least one mention of unwanted pregnancies
Nudity
No nudity, but at least one woman’s pregnant belly is shown
Alcohol Use
No alcohol use
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drug use, but there is an investigation of illegal prescription drug sales at one point;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Wicked defense attorney calls a police detective a Roman Catholic pro-life zealot in court, but he’s rebuked.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film presents a legal and medical system that failed to provide proper oversight. What responsibilities do authorities have when vulnerable people may be at risk?
Micah 6:8 · Proverbs 31:8–9The movie portrays a prosecutor wrestling with the moral questions raised by the case. How should Christians respond when truth requires us to examine our own assumptions?
Psalm 139:23–24 · Acts 17:11The film emphasizes justice for babies who could not speak for themselves. How can your family practice care for people who are vulnerable or powerless?
Proverbs 31:8–9 · James 1:27The detective’s Catholic faith and pro-life convictions are challenged in court. How can you stand for your convictions without treating people with contempt?
1 Peter 3:15–16 · Colossians 4:6The Final Word
GOSNELL is a compelling, well-acted drama with a serious pro-life perspective and an important argument about government oversight. Its foul language and disturbing abortion-related content make it unsuitable for younger children. For teenagers and adults prepared for those concerns, WORTH THE TRIP — AGES 13 AND UP.
