How Hollywood's Darkest Films Point Straight to Jesus (And Why It Matters)

Hey friends! Welcome to Christian Podcast™! Movies do more than entertain—they weave stories that can reveal God’s truth if we watch with discernment. In our latest episode, we sat down with Jarrad and Danielle, two of the four passionate hosts of Lord Forgive Us Our Cinema, alongside Annie Simon-Valencia and John Simon-Valencia. Mili and I love digging into culture with an open mind, and we were captivated by their approach to finding faith in films. It’s a conversation that’ll change how you see your next movie!

Why They Started: A Passion for Faith and Film

Jarrad kicked off by sharing the spark behind Lord Forgive Us Our Cinema. A lifelong film lover, he took a college class called “Faith in Film” that reshaped his perspective. “I wanted to teach people not just to watch films, but to engage their faith with them,” he said, inspired by C.S. Lewis’s idea that the gospel is “the light by which we see everything else.” Danielle, his wife and co-host, explained how they teamed up with close friends John and Annie to explore secular films’ deeper themes. “We were all made in the image of God,” she said, so we can look at films “through that lens” to find what people long for. Their podcast asks: What does a movie say about life’s meaning? What idols does it chase? How does it point to God, even unintentionally?

Diving into Secular Stories

The conversation dove into their approach to secular films. Jarrad highlighted Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino’s reimagining of 1960s LA. He saw redemption in Tarantino’s choice to rewrite the tragic Sharon Tate murder into a story of justice. “It’s like he’s playing God, making a sad thing untrue,” Jarrad said, linking it to the gospel’s hope of undoing brokenness. It’s a bold way to find divine echoes in unexpected places.

Mili connected deeply with Instructions Not Included (No se aceptan devoluciones), the Mexican hit starring Eugenio Derbez. “As immigrants, we see ourselves in its blend of English and Spanish,” she shared, loving its story of fatherhood, sacrifice, and cultural connection. Jarrad and Danielle, who share a passion for film’s ability to bridge divides, nodded along, noting how such stories reflect universal human longings. Danielle’s point about seeing God’s image in all people’s desires—love, hope, connection—resonated with the film’s cross-cultural appeal.

Wrestling with Horror as Christians

We took a detour into horror films, a genre I approach with hesitation. I shared how, growing up in the ’80s, I watched films like Freddy Krueger, but now I dislike Halloween and horror, finding them unsettling despite their cultural pull. Jarrad, however, sees redemptive potential. “Horror reflects our world as it is but not as it’s supposed to be,” he said, noting it explores grief and trauma, like Get Out tackling racial fears. He believes engaging horror helps Christians process darkness, asking, “What’s not right here, and how can it be different?” Danielle admitted she’s “such a baby” with gore, preferring lighter fare like Casper, but tries to find redemption by imagining how a story could resolve. As Christians, they suggest watching with prayerful caution, trusting Christ’s power to protect and guide, while recognizing not all horror has value—some is just cynical violence.

Movies We All Love

We had fun sharing our favorite films. Jarrad’s top pick is There Will Be Blood, a gripping drama about an oilman clashing with a preacher. “It’s intense, but it’s the best movie I’ve seen,” he said, drawn to its raw storytelling. Danielle loves Little Women (2019), a film they watched the night they got engaged. “I cry every Christmas watching it,” she laughed. She also raved about The Taste of Things, a French film celebrating food and connection. Mili, who cherishes stories that ring true, picked George Foreman for its powerful depiction of God’s transformation. I went with Inception for its mind-bending take on reality, plus Back to the Future and Lord of the Rings for their timeless fun. What’s your go-to movie? Share in the comments!

A Nod to Christian Cinema

We briefly touched on Christian films, though secular stories took center stage. Jarrad and Danielle were skeptical of movies like God’s Not Dead, calling them preachy with flat characters. “It’s just preaching to the choir,” Jarrad said. But they praised The Chosen as a standout. “It feels like sitting with Jesus,” Danielle shared, loving its human portrayal of Christ and scenes like Mary Magdalene’s redemption. Mili and I agree, though we’re cautious about some extra-biblical additions. Its cinematic excellence shows what Christian art can achieve when crafted with care.

Teasing the Emoji Meter

Our Emoji Meter—from “blasphemous”  to “divine” —sparked lively takes. For “blasphemous,” Jarrad and Danielle pointed to God’s Not Dead, frustrated by its lack of depth and persecution complex. Want to know where The Chosen, ’90s rom-coms, and more landed? Watch the episode to find out!

Wrapping Up: Seek Truth in Every Frame

Jarrad and Danielle’s passion for finding God in secular films inspired Mili and me to approach movies with discernment, not judgment. Their podcast reminds us that every story—whether a Hollywood blockbuster or a Mexican dramedy—can reflect the Creator’s truth if we look thoughtfully. Catch Lord Forgive Us Our Cinema on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or their Instagram lord_forgive_us_our_cinema for memes tying films to Scripture. (It’s audio-only, letting their insights shine raw and free!)What film has sparked your faith? Share below—we read every comment! Until next time, keep seeking God in every story. ¡Dios te bendiga!

In His light,

Beto & Mili

Christian Podcast™

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