I STILL BELIEVE -- Another Inspiring Christian Film

Review by Dan Skip Allen

KJ Apa stars as ‘Jeremy Camp’ in I STILL BELIEVE. Photo Credit: Michael Kubeisy.

​Inspiring Christian films have become their own genre in the last decade or so. Audiences have come to get that Christian message. Films such as God's Not Dead, Breakthrough, and Overcomer were popular with audiences. The Erwin Brothers, Andrew & Jon, actually directed the successful I Can Only Imagine, about the Christian country group MercyMe's lead singer Bart Millard, two years ago, and they return with their new film I Still Believe.

Jeremy Camp (K.J. Apa) is a kid going to college in California. At a concert, he catches the eye of beautiful Melissa Henning (Britt Robertson). They both see a future together, and a romance quickly blossoms, but tragedy soon comes into the picture. Jeremy has to show strength and compassion he has never shown before in his young life. This type of film is about how believing in God can help the person in question get through whatever roadblock is in their way. We as an audience have to come along for the ride.

Like the Erwins other films, Woodlawn and I Can Only Imagine, I Still Believe is about people and events I didn't know anything about until I saw the films. Once I left the theater, I was so enamored with the people depicted in the film. These films really get to my core, and that's exactly what they are going for. They are trying to inspire those watching the film. I Still Believe does that very well. These directors know how to pick the right projects that lend themselves to that Christian audience.

Jeremy Camp (KJ Apa) and Melissa Camp (Britt Robertson) in I STILL BELIEVE. Photo Credit: Michael Kubeisy.

Similar to I Can Only Imagine and Woodlawn, the Erwins like to cast established actors like Gary Sinise with new and up and coming actors like K.J. Apa and Britt Robertson. Apa is known for his breakout role in The CW show Riverdale, based on the Archie comic strip of the same name. He was perfectly cast as this young man dealing with a difficult journey. Britt Robertson is known for her roles as Casey Newton in Tomorrowland and Tulsa in The Space Between Us. It seems like these romantic teen or young adult romances are perfect for her acting sensibilities. These two young actors had quite the chemistry in I Still Believe that anchored this beautiful inspiring film.

These types of films can be a little under-acted or a little corny at times. When you find one that mixes good music, strong acting, and an interesting story you have a winner. I Still Believe is that to me. I was invested in the story from beginning to end. These actors brought their best to this inspiring film. Like the other films from the Erwin brothers, I Still Believe is a beautiful film with a message quite a few people have to deal with in society.

I Still Believe is now playing in theaters.

Rating: 3.5/5