I’M NOT ASHAMED
A moving Christian story of compassion, hope, and costly faith.
Should You Watch It?
I’M NOT ASHAMED is a four-star Christian drama with a powerful emotional center. Rachel Scott’s story brings together faith, identity, compassion, forgiveness, and the hope Jesus gives in a dark world.
The film has weaknesses. Some acting is dry, it has too many beginnings, and the second act is prolonged. But the emotional conclusion honors Rachel’s legacy, and the story’s message can deeply encourage anyone who has struggled between following God and pursuing the world.
The film includes violent moments and mature teenage behavior. For older children and adults, it is worth seeing with discernment. For younger children, choose something gentler.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESRachel Scott grows up in a broken home with a struggling single mother and four siblings. Art and drawing become an escape from pain, while Rachel searches for love and acceptance in unhealthy places.
After a summer away from bad influences, Rachel returns to God with a desire to make a difference at Columbine High School. But friendships, romance, popularity, and a school play test whether she will follow the world or remain anchored in Jesus.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a beautifully made, highly affecting film whose emotional strengths outweigh its flaws.
Masey McLain is a pure delight as Rachel, embodying her quirky, kind, and deeply pained spirit. The actors are passionate, and the movie includes many joyful moments alongside its painful subject matter. The story’s structure is uneven, with too many beginnings and a prolonged second act, and some performances feel dry. Still, the emotional conclusion is powerful enough to make the film a guaranteed tearjerker.
The Worldview
I’M NOT ASHAMED presents a strong Christian worldview. It shows prayer among friends, families, and church members, Gospel witness in a public-school setting, compassion, forgiveness, helping the homeless, and reaching out to those in need.
The film portrays Rachel’s identity as secure only when it rests in Jesus. It also shows how young people can be pulled toward drinking, smoking, sexual behavior, peer pressure, popularity, and other messages opposed to the truth of the Gospel. These struggles are not condoned; they reveal the cost of seeking love and acceptance in the wrong places.
The movie’s central conviction is that Christians can respond to pain with compassion and become a light for Jesus in a dark world. Rachel’s legacy continues through a foundation established by her parents to address school violence, bullying, and teenage suicide.
The film’s longing for hope and light aligns with Jesus’ promise: “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian worldview with many moments of praying among friends, families and church members, Gospel witness in a public school setting, redemptive elements within the lives of several characters, including compassion and forgiveness, with strong biblical, moral elements including moments of helping out the homeless and reaching out and comforting the least of these; no foul language; strong and graphic violence including two very angry male students planning a school shooting, those same male students shooting and killing many students on campus, as well as placing bombs throughout the school (some security and news footage of the actual event is shown), several instances of jocks bullying others, and implied self-harm by one teenage girl; implied sex between teenagers, one scene of two clothed teens on a bed interrupted, kissing between teenagers, and several references to sex; no nudity, but some teenage girls dress immodestly; underage drinking, but not condoned; youth smoke cigarettes many times; and, strong miscellaneous immorality includes lying, dysfunctional family portrayal, divorce among a few parents, teenage girl sneaks out of her house to go to a party with friends, children are rude and disrespectful to parents, and many instances of bullying, though not condoned.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Rachel searches for identity and acceptance in many places before returning to Jesus. Where do you tend to look for identity, and what does Scripture say makes a person secure?
Galatians 2:20 · Ephesians 1:3–5The film presents compassion as a way to bring light into a dark world. What might compassion look like toward someone who feels excluded or bullied?
Matthew 5:14–16 · Luke 10:25–37Rachel faces pressure to choose between the world and her relationship with God. What helps you remain accountable when friends pull you in another direction?
Proverbs 13:20 · 1 Corinthians 15:33Rachel’s story includes pain, depression, and difficult family circumstances. How can Christians offer hope without minimizing someone’s suffering?
Romans 12:15 · 2 Corinthians 1:3–4The Final Word
I’M NOT ASHAMED has structural flaws, but its compassionate Christian message and emotional conclusion can inspire older children and adults to run to Jesus and cling to His hope. For families ready to discuss its difficult content, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP — MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UP.
