MULLY
A beautiful true story of faith that changes a nation.
Should You Watch It?
MULLY tells an extraordinary story of faith, sacrifice and obedience. Charles Mully rises from childhood abandonment and years of begging on the streets to become a successful businessman. Then he gives up his businesses and possessions to care for Kenyan orphans.
The film’s greatest strength is the way it brings Mully’s calling to life through his own perspective and the testimony of his family. Joyful moments sit beside horrific but tasteful depictions of life on the streets. The result is both enthralling and deeply inspiring.
The mature material means this is not a choice for younger children. For teens and adults, however, MULLY is worth seeing for its portrait of one man trusting God and making a profound difference.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESCharles Mully grows up abandoned and alone, begging on the streets of Nairobi. After finding work, faith and success, he becomes a husband, father and millionaire.
Then a painful encounter with street children awakens his compassion. Convinced God is calling him to care for Kenyan orphans, Mully makes a life-changing decision that challenges his family and tests his faith.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is a beautiful, well-told documentary with an inspiring story at its center. MULLY places viewers at the heart of Charles Mully’s journey through narration from Mully, his wife Esther and their seven children.
The documentary balances joyful moments with horrific yet tasteful depictions of what it is like to be an orphan on the streets. Its story is powerful enough to enthrall audiences, while its presentation makes Mully’s faith, sacrifice and perseverance feel immediate.
The Worldview
MULLY presents a very strong Christian worldview. It portrays faith as active trust in God, especially when obedience requires sacrifice. Charles Mully believes God tells him to save the orphans, and the film presents his entire journey as a beautiful depiction of belief.
The documentary exalts compassion, care for vulnerable children and trust that God will provide. It also shows the cost of following a calling: family tension, church opposition, drought, sickness and dwindling resources. The film depicts Mully’s home church negatively when its members refuse to let street children attend services, but this is later redeemed.
At its core, MULLY argues that one person, working through God, can make a profound difference. That emphasis aligns with the biblical call to care for the vulnerable and trust God with costly obedience. “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian worldview with strong elements of faith, man believes God told him to save the orphans and his entire story is a beautiful depiction of belief; no foul language; a re-enactment of protagonist’s father beating his mother when he was a boy, re-enactment of street youth bashing protagonist’s car window, re-enactment of community men tying up and beating protagonist’s father, intense footage of Kenyan post-election violence including a man being kicked in the head, beaten and slashed with a machete, mass riots, individual beatings, cars on fire, bodies in the street, and people, including children, being carried away on stretchers; no depicted sexual content, but two street girls talk about being raped as children; naturalistic nudity when we see the backside of a baby when a woman gives him a bath; people drink champagne at a fancy party and protagonist’s father speaks about being an alcoholic; no smoking or depiction of drug use however use of heroin, cocaine, sniffing glue and gas is mentioned by the street children; and, Mully’s home church is depicted in a negative light when they refuse to let the street children come to the services (but this is later redeemed).
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Charles Mully responds to suffering children with compassion and costly action. What might God be asking you to notice or do for people in need?
James 1:27 · Matthew 25:35–40Mully gives up wealth and security to follow what he believes God has asked him to do. How can you distinguish faithful obedience from an impulsive decision?
Luke 14:28–33 · James 1:5Mully continues despite drought, sickness and dwindling resources. What does it look like to trust God while still acting responsibly?
Proverbs 3:5–6 · Philippians 4:19The film shows a church rejecting street children before that failure is redeemed. How should a church welcome people who are hurting or difficult to serve?
James 2:1–5 · Romans 15:7The Final Word
MULLY is a beautiful, inspiring documentary about faith that acts. Its mature subject matter makes it best for teens and adults, but its story of sacrifice and compassion is deeply worthwhile. WORTH THE TRIP for viewers ready to be challenged and encouraged.
