HOMESTEAD Cast and Crew Say ‘Thriller’ Shines Light in Darkness

HOMESTEAD Cast and Crew Say ‘Thriller’ Shines Light in Darkness

By Movieguide® Contributor

Actor Jesse Hutch and filmmaker Ben Smallbone discussed the messages they hope their audience takes away from their new project HOMESTEAD.

“It’s interesting because at face value, even watching the trailers and the marketing, it seems like a dark, you know, scary thriller. And yes, there is darkness and it is a thriller, but light shines brightest in the darkness, and there is so much hope and redemption and beauty in the journey of HOMESTEAD that I can’t wait for people to see,” Smallbone told Movieguide®. “And the message of people coming together and celebrating our similarities and working together to survive I think is something that our culture and society needs more than ever.”

A synopsis of the movie reads:

“In making a film that, again, is kind of gritty and dark, we wanted to kind of contrast it with beauty and that visually aesthetic part of hope too,” Smallbone continued. “And so in the moments of sheer terror and fear, you know, we cut to beautiful shots of the mountains and God’s creation. That’s another part of the message of HOMESTEAD; I think as a society and culture we have built these beautiful cities…so we’ve become removed from God’s creation.”

HOMESTEAD is a multiphase story about the way humanity bands together after the apocalypse. The series will kick off with a movie before following up with a TV show. Hutch is one of the main characters and he plays an ex-Green Beret who is grappling with how to keep his family safe in this chaotic world. A portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:

HOMESTEAD has lots of energy and momentum that drives the movie forward into a thought-provoking thriller. Neil McDonough delivers a strong performance as the wealthy man. HOMESTEAD has a strong Christian worldview promoting family and prayer. It raises some valid ethical questions in a scenario that feels realistic in today’s world. Fear leads good people to sin against their neighbors. However, Jesus tells us in Matthew 17:6, “Do not be afraid.” Eventually, the characters in HOMESTEAD learn that faith and trust in God can lift them up from the ashes. HOMSTEAD has some intense scenes of peril, chaos and violence. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for teenagers and adults.

READ MORE: HOMESTEAD REVIEW

“I want to really honor the men and women who serve in our military and it’s important to me that I come across on screen in a way that, God willing, if they watch, you know, when they watch this they go, ‘Yeah, that’s right,’” Hutch told Movieguide®. “And I’ve actually had a few compliments along the way that I only bring up because it’s an honor to have someone who is still serving or has served to come up to you and go, ‘Hey, that was done well.’ And those are the comments that I really take to heart quickly.”

While the story takes place after the apocalypse, it highlights the goodness that can be found in humanity despite our fallen nature. In doing so, it teaches biblical principles in a way that anyone can engage with, regardless of where their faith stands.

“I can’t wait for people to see the series,” Smallbone said. “If there’s a version of that saying, ‘Preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words,’ that is the series… It’s subtle to the point that you could drag your biggest, baddest atheist friend to the series and the movie and they would be entertained. And it would lead to some incredible conversations.”

“Part of what I love is that the story does not promote fear,” Hutch added. “If anything, HOMESTEAD promotes the overcoming of fear and it empowers and encourages you, if that makes any sense.”

HOMESTEAD is in theaters now.

READ MORE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ANGEL STUDIOS’ HOMESTEAD FRANCHISE

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