WILD FAITH
A faith-centered Western about overcoming racial prejudice.
Should You Watch It?
WILD FAITH offers a morally uplifting story about keeping a promise in the face of racial prejudice. Its faith-centered foundation includes references to Christ, hymn singing, forgiveness, and mental battles that Emmett faces and resolves. Haddie’s forgiveness toward the preacher also gives the film a strong moral center.
The film is held back by second-rate acting, poor cinematography, and a slow pace. Racial innuendos may also trouble younger viewers, while the story includes several spiritual elements that families may want to discuss.
If your family is looking for a Christian Western and has older children who can handle its racial themes, WILD FAITH is worth watching together.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESTen years after the Great American War, Civil War veteran Emmett keeps a promise made to a dying Black soldier: care for the man’s wife, Haddie, and daughter, Gracie, in Michigan.
When the ragtag family enters town, their presence stirs racial prejudice. Then a circus train breaks down, a tiger escapes, and several men see an opportunity to profit by selling Haddie and Gracie as novelty acts.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means WILD FAITH has worthwhile strengths but noticeable weaknesses. The film’s moral purpose is clear, and its Christian content, forgiveness themes, hymn singing, and central mental and emotional struggles give the story substance.
Still, the acting is uneven, the cinematography is poor, and the pacing is slow. The result is a faith-centered film that should be commended for its message, even though its filmmaking keeps it from being stronger.
The Worldview
WILD FAITH presents a strong Christian worldview. It includes references to Christ, scenes in a church, multiple scenes of hymn singing, positive moral content, and themes of forgiveness. Emmett remains faithful to his promise despite opposition, and Haddie forgives the preacher for his lewd comments about her race and daughter.
The film also presents mental battles that Emmett fights and resolves. At the same time, its spiritual world includes dreams of the Angel of Death, a bear claw said to ward off evil spirits, and an American Indian woman praying to the Great Almighty One, whom she calls “Mantu.” The tiger is also called “Mantu.” These elements sit alongside the film’s Christian themes rather than forming a consistently biblical picture of spiritual truth.
The film’s central moral vision opposes racial prejudice and calls people toward faithfulness and forgiveness. Scripture says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
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 Christian worldview with a faith based Christian worldview, scenes in a church, multiple scenes with hymn singing, and a grandfather has a dream of the Angel of Death as does a young girl, with some Gracie, a character has a bear claw which he claims can “ward off evil spirits,” an American Indian woman prays to the Great Almighty One whom she calls “Mantu” and also refers to a tiger as “Mantu”
Foul Language
No obscenities or profanities
Violence
Several scenes where fighting breaks out with guns, no blood is shed although there are several gun threats throughout as characters pull out guns frequently
Sex
No sex, but man and woman kiss and a man refers to a black woman as “Chocolate Bourbon”
Nudity
No nudity, but a circus owner is pictured wearing a low-cut dress
Alcohol Use
Bourbon is sold in one scene, and at the dinner table the family as well as trackers drink ‘Rattle-snake Juice’ Smoking and or drug use: In two scenes, a man smokes a pipe, and in another a man smokes a cigarette;
Miscellaneous Immorality
The old-fashioned word “Negro” is used.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Emmett keeps a promise to care for Haddie and Gracie despite opposition. What does faithfulness look like when keeping a promise becomes difficult?
Psalm 15:4 · Matthew 5:37The family faces prejudice because of race. How does Scripture challenge favoritism, and where can we practice impartial love?
James 2:1–4 · Romans 12:10Haddie forgives the preacher for his lewd comments. What is forgiveness, and how does God’s forgiveness shape the way we forgive others?
Ephesians 4:32 · Matthew 6:14The story includes Christian references alongside other spiritual ideas. How can we test spiritual claims against God’s Word?
1 John 4:1 · Acts 17:11The Final Word
WILD FAITH is a morally uplifting Christian Western with strong themes of faithfulness, forgiveness, and overcoming racial prejudice. Its uneven acting, poor cinematography, slow pace, and racial innuendos make it best for mature viewers. For older children and adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — OLDER CHILDREN AND ADULTS.
