HONK FOR JESUS. SAVE YOUR SOUL. -- Save Your Money and Time

Review by Paris Jade

Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown star in a new satirical comedy: Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul. After they go through a huge scandal, Trinitie Childs (Hall) helps her husband, Lee-Curtis Childs (Brown), bring their once thriving church back to life. Director Adamma Ebo takes a documentary-style approach to the film, making the characters feel more like real people. 
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This movie was a bit weird in pacing, and it was honestly a little boring. Ebo based the film on a short she had created, and it should have stayed that way. I don't think you are supposed to attach yourself to these characters as they are all bad people. When it comes to satire, it's difficult to find a good middle ground where you make terrible characters yet still enjoy them and be entertained. However, here they are all just a bit too much. They are not very entertaining or funny — just sort of bland. You need to have a very particular sense of humor to find this film even remotely funny. A casual moviegoer might not understand it and take the plot seriously, and some scenes might even make you uncomfortable, especially when they involve Lee-Curtis Childs being on screen. Back to the pacing of the film, it felt very odd. Some things happened very fast, while other moments dragged on for way too long. The entire scene based on the short film is the most entertaining part, which again makes you think: should this have been made into feature length?

Even though the film isn't very enjoyable, the performances given by Hall and Brown can be praised. They absolutely deliver when it comes to their characters, and they did a spectacular job. The supporting cast also made themselves memorable, specifically Nicole Beharie and Conphidance. They were definitely the best part of the film and had the best bits of comedy. Their characters, the Sumpters, ran a church competing with the Childs. Anytime they were on camera, they made sure to advertise their brand new church while still putting up a supportive front for the Childs' church. Anytime I actually laughed, it was always something to do with them. I'd love to see this duo again in another film where they may have the starring roles. 

If you're the type of person with a dark sort of satirical sense of humor, you might enjoy Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul. The characters have a lot of cult-like behavior due to their religion which plays a big part in why the film is satirical and enjoyable to see. However, I feel bad for any hardcore Christians that decide to see this film blindly. They'll be in for quite a shock, which might be a bit more entertaining to witness than the film itself. 

See Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul in theaters and on Peacock September 2.

Rating: 2/5