'Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.' is the film starring Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown as the first lady and pastor of a mega church in Atlanta, Georgia. When a scandal involving the pastor reaches the community, the congregation quickly turns on the couple leaving them to figure out how to draw everyone back. Can this religious comedy bring light to the inspired experiences of the director?
Based on events that twin sisters, Adamma and Adanne Ebo, witnessed growing up in Southern Baptist churches, the siblings decided to make the directorial debut. The film is set up as a faux documentary as a result. This allows Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. to go to uncomfortable places where the audience may have a difficult time deciding whether to laugh or feel uncomfortable. The realistic moments of growing up in churches where members of the congregation can seemingly forget they are not the focal point of Sunday services are felt throughout the film giving the movie a dynamic element.
The real-life moments, unfortunately, fall apart as the plot lingers on a climatic feeling that it never truly reaches. As the characters pull stunts that feel like the perfect mix between the movie “First Sunday” and the television show “The Office”, the film begins to feel convoluted when it adds in its message. While it does reach a climax among the tangled web, there is something to be desired as the credits begin rolling.
If you grew up attending or know about the culture of megachurches, you will appreciate the humor and characters in 'Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.' The familiarity of the shocking and scandalous events is enough to keep the film moving forward even as the plot falls flat in its imbalance of the message.
'Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.' In theaters and streaming on Peacock September 2nd, 2022.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Ashley Bell (Contributing Editor) is an Orlando native who loves watching movies. Her favorite genres include comedies, thrillers and sci-fi.Click Here to check out Ashley's Articles.