Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.

Focus Features | Release Date: September 2, 2022

4.6	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 17 Ratings

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Brent_MarchantSep 3, 2022

Nobody likes hypocrites – unless, of course, they make good fodder for laughs, as is the case in this sidesplitting new comedy from writer-director Adamma Ebo. The target here is the hypocrisy often present in the bluster-filledNobody likes hypocrites – unless, of course, they make good fodder for laughs, as is the case in this sidesplitting new comedy from writer-director Adamma Ebo. The target here is the hypocrisy often present in the bluster-filled fundamentalist megachurches, whose elaborate Sunday services play like big-budget Broadway productions and for which their pastors ask their congregations to fork over wads of cash – all in exchange for allegedly saved souls and their leaders’ ability to live lives of grossly ostentatious affluence. Invariably, though, these schemes come with a catch in which their two-faced preachers get caught in career-ruining scandals that expose just how hypocritical and corrupt they really are. Such is what happens in this mockumentary-style offering about a once-big time Atlanta pastor and his “first lady” as they attempt to rebound from a fall from grace that rings all too familiar in the evangelist community. Filmmaker Ebo’s debut feature pulls no punches in the picture’s critically biting humor and in its periodic forays into dramatic material, moves meant to draw attention to the innate insincerity of its protagonists (and some of its parishioners). In doing so, the film straddles a fine line between comedy and drama, presenting a carefully concocted mix that works much of the time but occasionally becomes a little too heavy-handed for its own good. Nevertheless, “Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul.” makes an impact with its fine performances by Sterling K. Brown and Regina Hall, as well as its wickedly delicious wit and ample sight gags, elements that will have viewers delightfully giggling with glee. This one might not have you on your knees, but you might easily fall over laughing.… Expand

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Stream2BigScreeSep 5, 2022

Hey, Streamers! You know you need some laughter and Jesus in your life. Why not try both? There was a comedy released in theaters and on Peacock this weekend called Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. I ventured to the theater to see this one.Hey, Streamers! You know you need some laughter and Jesus in your life. Why not try both? There was a comedy released in theaters and on Peacock this weekend called Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. I ventured to the theater to see this one. Here’s whether my soul was saved by the humor in this one.

Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. follows Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Sterling K. Brown) and First Lady, Trinitie Childs (Regina Hall), as they attempt to rebuild the congregation of their Southern Baptist mega church after a scandal. The movie isn’t explicit about the scandal, at first, that led to the devastation of their ministry, but the audience is led to believe it has something to do with Lee-Curtis’s sexual indiscretions. Trinitie is a dutiful wife, who has been standing by her husband and gets into increasingly silly and humiliating situations all in support of him and the church. There is also a funny side plot about a rival church led by the Sumpters (Nichole Beharie and Conphidance). Will the Childs be able to regain their stature in the community? Praying and hijinks ensue.

The best part of this movie is the cast, particularly Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown. They both came to play and they have great chemistry with each other. Sterling plays Lee-Curtis with the swagger and false charisma of a pastor rocked by scandal. He has the kind of energy that you’d expect from a pastor who had 25,000 congregants, lost it all and desperately wants it back. Regina Hall’s character supports her husband, but you can tell that she’s struggling mightily with all that he’s doing. She puts herself in such crazy situations, but she never breaks a sweat. The control and humor that Hall infuses in her character makes her endearing and hilarious. She is excellent.

On the downside, the plot itself feels thin. It is like an extended SNL sketch. It is a funny sketch, but I can’t say that it is necessary to be the length of a movie. There are a few lulls in the humor. Even though the cast is game and there are some laugh out loud moments, there really could have been more. I wanted every line to hit and they didn’t always. Nevertheless, the movie is more successful than not. Additionally, the moral of the story is kind of murky. Does Lee-Curtis learn a lesson? Does Trinitie continue to stand by her man and support the church despite what she’s been through? It is complicated, and the movie doesn’t do a great job of untangling those issues.

Ultimately, Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is a funny movie even though it is just an extended comedy sketch. The cast does its best with a comedy. Brown brings energy necessary to punch up the jokes while Regina Hall gives a stellar performance from beginning to end. I can’t say it is necessary to see this movie in the theater, but it is definitely worthy of a big box of popcorn if you can catch it on Peacock.… Expand

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Smitty88Sep 8, 2022

Thoroughly enjoyed this film. More of a dramedy, but Hall’s acting is perfection

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