A Review of Soul
on Fire by Olszyk
Distribution Service: Theatrical
MPAA Rating, PG
OSV Rating, Not rated at the time of this review
Reel Rating, Four Reels
By this
point in 2025, there are dozens of Christian films about heroic individuals
overcoming difficult obstacles by personal faith and the charity of those
around them. There’s even one titled Overcomer.
Soul on Fire, though not a masterpiece, is better than most and
demonstrates a level of cinematic sophistication that the genre has been
gradually achieving on a more consistent basis. This story is a wonderful
testament to perseverance and hope amidst terrible obstacles but also something
deeper: the conversion of the soul.
John is a
typical 80s Missouri kid. He is curious, rebellious, likes to listen to the
radio, and is obsessed with playing for the Cardinals baseball team someday. These
dreams come crashing down when he foolishly decides to light some gasoline with
matches in the garage. Not only does most of the house burn down, but he
receives third degree burns over nearly all his body. Initially given no chance
of survival, he defies the odds and returns home several months later after a
grueling rehabilitation process. Yet, he is not unscathed. His fingers on both
hands had to be amputated and he has burn marks everywhere except his face
(which was saved by his little sister pouring water on him). This is only the
first hurdle. As he goes through life relearning everything, he also must
undergo a rehabilitation of the soul, which might not have happened except for
the fire.
The most
heart wrenching aspect of the film involves poor John’s horrific suffering from
his injuries, which the film handles with tact but also doesn’t sugar coat. He
must undress and redress all his bandages (which cover his whole body) every
day. His nurses force him to start bending his limbs, causing him to scream in
excruciating pain that is mercifully behind glass doors. Yet despite this
heartbreak, he has a lot of help. No one ever blames him for the fire or gives
up on his recovery. His parents are always around: reading stories, praying for
healing, or just sleeping. The doctors are patient, honest, and encouraging. He
is even visited by the legendary announcer Jack Buck (William Macy) who takes a
special interest, inviting him to Busch Stadium to meet players multiple times.
Suffering is always difficult, especially for children, but it gives others an
opportunity for charity. In times of trouble, communities come together.
As John
grows and attends college, he learns to manage his disability but still suffers
from invisible wounds. He really likes Beth (Masey Stanley) but won’t ask her
out because he is sure she would reject him due to his appearance. A year
later, after she has moved on, he asks her on a date finally, but she passes.
“Why didn’t you ask me out before,” she questions. He shrugs and holds up his
stumped hands. She frowns, “Don’t ever underestimate me like that again.” It
was good they didn’t date at that point; John wasn’t ready to be a husband and
a father. He was under the lie that his injuries made him unlovable and
incapable of anything great. Later, when he accepts God’s grace, he does break
out of the friendzone, and they eventually marry.
Something
that comes out strong in Soul on Fire and another recent film East of Wall
is the beauty of God’s work through the ugliness of the world’s struggles. John’s
burn scars and misshapen hands are an afront to the natural order. Yet God not
just accepts us in our brokenness, but our poverty gives him glory. As a father
of six children under twelve, my small house is constantly in chaos with
spilled juice, broken toys, pen marks on walls, and a budget that is always
strained. This has always given me, someone who prides himself in cleanliness
and order, an intense feeling of anxiety and fear I’m not living up to my
vocation. Yet I’ve recently come to the knowledge that it is a natural
outcropping of the blessing of a large family. Because of his wounds, both
physical and spiritual, John can, with St. Paul, “boast of his weakness.” The
cross is not a sign of weakness but exaltation.
Soul on
Fire is a bit formulaic at times but stands out from more mediocre
Christian films due to its stellar acting and compelling narrative. It’s easy
to view films like these as sappy movies with predictable, happy endings, but
it could’ve come out quite differently. First, John succeeded due to
intervention of hundreds of people. Second, everyone – whether our challenges
are great or small – is called to a conversion of spirit. If we do this, we
will be a soul on fire, not one that destroys but one that purifies others for
the glory of God.
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