Cast: Guy Pearce, DeWanda Wise, Bill Pullman, Raoul Max Trujillo, Josh McDermott, Jamie Newman, Jack Alcott,Joanna Cassidy, Emily Catherine Ford, Charlie Talbert

Written and Directed By: Ned Crowley

Release Year: 2025

*There Is No Known Audio Description For This Title*

What Is It?: In the mid-1800’s, a free former slave seeks assistance in helping her daughter, who she has become convinced is touched by evil. A local doctor believes there must be a non-supernatural reason, but agrees to accompany her on a trip to a faith healer, who might be the last hope.

What Works: While the lack of audio description certainly does put a damper on my enjoyment of the film, I found rewarding performances from both Pearce and Wise, who banter and bond well. This isn’t the first western, so it isn’t like I’m unfamiliar with the whole genre. It’s a pretty simple story, one I feel I’ve seen before. Men have been escorting women across the Wild West like it was their whole purpose on this earth since the western genre hit its proliferation decades ago.

Conceptually, even without audio description, i did have an idea of what this might look like. There is this other possession element, which brings in the potential for some thrills and chills, and that’s where I started questioning the value of the film. ultimately, it is the lead performances for me that carried this, I also very much am someone who can enjoy a movie simply because the performances within the film are compelling.

There’s also a side character here who has a rather hilarious interpretation of what the Underground Railroad is, and the little bit of levity actually did make a difference in a film that is progressively darker in tone as it ambles toward its faith healing prophecy. This is a film that needs more attention. I live in a metro area, and opening weekend for this, it was showing at one screen within a pretty wide radius, and that theater was only doing one showtime per day. Stuff like that used to be unprecedented. Now, it feels like anything just to get butts in seats. the rerelease of Avatar: the Way of Water and Casper both had more showtimes.

The bar is raised now for Pearce following his Oscar nomination. he now must rise to the occasion, and avoid stumbling back into forgettable Liam Neeson vehicles. Killing Faith is certainly an interesting enough story that it didn’t send him back down the Hollywood ladder.

Why You Might Like it: You’re a fan of westerns, and the tiny percentage even made this year.

Why You Might Not Like it: I certainly wouldn’t recommend an expedition to find the only showtime in your area, especially due to the lack of audio description. Sometimes things wind up on a streaming service later, and since you are already subscribing, you might test these waters for yourself.

Final Thoughts: Guy Pearce AND DeWanda Wise deliver strong performances in this underrated western that doubles as a possession thriller just in time for Halloween.

Fresh: Final Grade: 6.3/10