Sometimes I enjoy watching a movie "blind"—having no idea what it’s about. And I wasn’t sure what to expect when I sat down to watch The Last Sin Eater. I haven’t read any of Francine Rivers’ novels (I hear she’s an excellent writer), so I wasn’t familiar with this title. (The Last Sin Eater is based on the novel of the same name.)

 

Travel back to the 1850s with a group of Appalachian people. These folks believe that at a person’s grave the Sin Eater eats bread and wine, therefore "eating" sins and absolving guilt. They appoint a Sin Eater for their group, but 10-year-old Cadi Forbes needs to find peace while she's living. This child is wracked with guilt over the death of her younger sister. She decides to seek out the Sin Eater. But he can’t set her free.

 

Then Cadi meets a traveling evangelist. He explains to her that Jesus died to set her free. He was the Last Sin Eater. She accepts His grace and sets out to reveal the truth so others can know they can be forgiven.

 

But some in the group don’t want the truth revealed, and they will stop at nothing to keep the secrets safe.

 

This film presents the gospel in a unique way. I appreciated that the missionary wisely used a concept the girl could understand, the Sin Eater, to help her understand the truth.

 

But I have to be honest. The visual presentation was a bit disturbing. The scenes of death, graveyards and nightmares were eerie. It reminded me of The Village, which I liked, but I guess I just wasn’t expecting it in this film.

 

The story did demonstrate the concept that the truth will set you free. These people were deceived and believed a lie. They lived with fear and condemnation--true bondage--for years. When the truth was revealed, they were set free emotionally, spiritually and even physically.

 

I am grateful that a clear gospel message and other truths were depicted. But I asked myself, What is the point?

 

I am so glad that more and more we are seeing Christian films making it to the big screen. But I am confused about the purpose for some of them.

 

If we’re sending a message to Hollywood that these are the types of movies we want to see, fine.

 

And if this film is on the big screen for just Christians, that’s great. But don’t we already know the truth? We’re supposed to.

 

But I am really nervous if these are being created to evangelize. Maybe I’m wrong, but will non-Christians go see a film titled The Last Sin Eater?

 

What I hope doesn’t happen is that they will go thinking it’s a horror film. I trust the real message can work in their hearts and that they can be set free. But I sure don’t want them to feel tricked and think these films were sermons in disguise. (I’m not implying 20th Century Fox intended to trick anyone.)

 

The Bible does say His word will not return void. So I shouldn’t worry. He is in control and He can use any means possible to reach people.

 

Obviously, I’m asking a lot of questions, and I haven’t figured out the balance in my own mind yet. I was just a little confused by this film. It’s not a movie for family night. (I consider those to be movies a wide age range can watch.)

 

But if you’re a Francine Rivers fan you might like seeing one of her novels come to life on the big screen. Or if you like a story with a touch of mystery then you’ll likely enjoy The Last Sin Eater. And if you want to go just to send a message to Hollywood, by all means, go see it and speak loud and clear.

 

But I have a feeling I would have enjoyed the novel more. Hopefully my own imagination wouldn’t have been quite as creepy.