THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD
Intense, well-made, and morally stirring — but for discerning adults only.
Should You Watch It?
THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD is an intense, exciting thriller with strong performances and powerful dramatic moments. Its fire scenes are amazing, and the scenes between Connor and his father help you sympathize with their plight. The story also offers morally uplifting moments through courage, sacrifice, and a determined effort to protect a traumatized child.
The cost is substantial. The movie contains pervasive foul language, including many gratuitous “f” words, and graphic depictions of shootings. It also lacks positive references to God or faith. Those elements diminish the joy that its heroic characters and stirring emotions might otherwise provide.
If you are a discerning adult who can withstand those concerns, this is a well-made thriller worth considering. It is not suitable for children or young teens.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESHannah, a smoke jumper in Montana, is haunted by failing to save three teenage boys during a wildfire. Meanwhile, two assassins pursue Connor, a traumatized 12-year-old boy whose father uncovered high-level corruption among major politicians.
Connor reaches Hannah’s watch tower as the assassins close in and a massive wildfire blocks the way out. Hannah must protect him from both the killers and the flames.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a highly effective thriller. THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD is intense and exciting, with strong performances and stirring emotional drama. The fire scenes are amazing, and the cast does a very good job with the material.
The scenes between Connor and his father are especially effective because they build sympathy for the boy and his plight. The film’s morally uplifting moments also give its suspense a serious human dimension. Its major weaknesses are not in its craftsmanship but in its pervasive, gratuitous profanity, which diminishes the pleasure of watching it.
The Worldview
The film presents a light moral worldview centered on protecting the vulnerable, facing danger, and exposing corruption. Connor’s father works with a district attorney to uncover high-level corruption among major state and federal politicians, making government corruption central to the story.
The movie also portrays courage and sacrifice through Hannah’s determination to protect Connor and through the dangerous efforts of others caught in the assassins’ pursuit. However, the moral framework is marred by heavy use of foul language, including many “f” words spoken by the “good guys.” The film lacks positive references to God or faith.
Its central moral impulse—to protect the innocent and confront wrongdoing—aligns with biblical concern for justice and the vulnerable. Scripture says, “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression” (Isaiah 1:17).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Light moral worldview marred by heavy, pagan use of foul language, including many “f” words by the “good guys,” plus plot revolves around a man being hunted by assassins because he was working with a DA to expose big government corruption
Foul Language
About 94 obscenities, six strong profanities, three light profanities
Violence
Very strong violence when a character is shot in the head, when a stopped female motorist is shot near the head, and when a man is shot multiple times by two assassins, plus lots of strong violence such as man standing in a road and sniper from a nearby ridge fire at a man driving a car with his son as a passenger and the man is wounded in the arm and shoulder, man drives into car which hits the gunman standing in the road, car tumbles down a slope part way and stops, boy gets out of car and hides, assassins pump multiple bullets into the driver as he tries to drive away (bullets tear through him; see above), woman’s foot partially struck by lightning (it turns the bottom of her foot black and makes her fall), woman falls off a rope and falls to the ground on her back, some facial wounds are shown, man is burnt my fire and side of his face shows red burn marks, assassins fire at three people in a high watch tower in a forest, assassins commit arson in a forest with road flares, and it becomes a raging wildfire later, assassins fight and subdue and threaten a pregnant woman, but she turns the tables on them and seems to escape but may have been hit by a bullet from their guns, woman and boy jump into small river to escape raging wildfire, house explodes
Sex
No sex, but a few “f” word have sexual connotations
Nudity
No nudity but woman seen in bra when she changes blouses
Alcohol Use
Beer drinking outside in one scene and beer drinking in a brief bar scene
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
Politicians send assassins after a DA and a whistleblowing forensic accountant.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Connor’s father risks everything to expose corruption. Why does truth matter even when telling it is dangerous?
Proverbs 12:22 · Ephesians 4:25Hannah is haunted by people she could not save, yet she chooses to protect Connor. How can past failure shape—not end—a person’s willingness to do good?
Isaiah 43:18–19 · Galatians 6:9The film’s heroes use strong language even while doing morally good things. How should our words reflect the character we want to have?
Ephesians 4:29 · Colossians 4:6The assassins use violence and deception to pursue their goals. What does Scripture say about the difference between worldly power and righteous action?
Micah 6:8 · Romans 12:17–21The Final Word
This is a gripping, beautifully acted thriller with remarkable fire scenes and genuinely stirring drama. But its pervasive obscenity and graphic violence make it a poor choice for children and young teens. For discerning adults who can withstand those concerns, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For other family viewing, see.
