The infamous Roe v. Wade court case was overturned recently, and the issue of abortion is again in the news and conversations in the media. Many people are passionate about this issue on both sides, and the division seems to have deepened.
As Christians, we should defend the rights of personhood for humans created in the image of God, the most basic right being the right to life. It is a complex issue, and we must speak the truth of God’s heart for life in love, not judgment and hate. One of the best ways to communicate these truths is through narrative, where we can find appeals across our culture to protect the right to life.
One of the most powerful narratives in our day is film. A friend recently told me that just as Jesus spoke in parables to communicate truth in his day, movies and shows have the same role today. Theology is often complicated and narrow. Stories can be simple and yet go deep in complexity and reveal things from different angles across emotional, intellectual, and spiritual levels, which is why Jesus never gave a firm definition of the Kingdom of God, but several times explained aspects of the Kingdom in a parable. “The Kingdom of God is like …”
Here are five modern movies that can start discussions and provoke questions about pro-life topics.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Fokusiert
1. Children of Men (2006)
In this dystopian film, humanity has lost the ability to have children. Years of infertility pass, and the world becomes more hopeless and violent. Theo Faron is a man devastated by the loss of his child but becomes involved with Claire, a young woman who is the first known pregnant woman in 18 years.
Claire’s pregnancy is something that gives people hope, especially Theo. The movie beautifully portrays this pregnancy’s inspiration to people—like the impossible is possible again. At the same time, other forces seek to manipulate, use, or even kill Claire because of what she means. Theo decides to do all he can to save and protect Claire and the baby within her. The movie is violent and not kid-friendly, but it does a phenomenal job showing how the absence of life leads to despair and the hope of life deserves to be sacrificed for and protected.
Photo Credit: Universal Pictures/Strike Entertainment/Hit & Run Productions/Ingenious Film Partners 2/Toho-Towa via IMDb
2. Horton Hears a Who (2008)
Based on a phenomenal book by Dr. Seuss. Horton is an elephant who begins hearing a voice from a speck. The rest of the animals can’t hear the voice and call him crazy, but Horton continues to stand on what he can hear, that there is life on that speck, as impossible as it may seem to others. Horton places the speck on a flower. Some animals even attempt to steal and kill the speck/flower. Ultimately, enough of the microscopic people on the speck/flower raise their voices to be heard by the other animals, and life is saved.
“A person is a person no matter how small.” This is the repeated phrase from Horton as people argue with him, where he states the personhood of the living beings they can’t physically see or hear. The issue isn’t simply a legal one or a meditation on who has the power (although the movie explores those themes). The heart of the problem is recognizing the personhood of the other. When personhood is acknowledged, life is seen as valuable and protected.
Photo Credit: Blue Sky Studios/Dr. Seuss Enterprises/Twentieth Century Fox Animation via IMDb
3. Arrival (2016)
The science fiction film Arrival was adapted from a 1998 short story. Linguist Louise Banks is recruited to try and talk with aliens who have arrived on earth in ships that hover just over the planet. Louise and her team, including scientist Ian Donnely, begin to understand a different culture and language from scratch. The language isn’t linear like an Earth language, but more of a circle. Learning the alien language changes Louise’s thinking patterns to the point that she gets visions of the future and past.
Part of what Louise sees is the future birth of her daughter. Her daughter will die of cancer, and her husband will leave her over the tragedy. Even knowing the tragedy and sorrow ahead, Louise chooses to have the child and experience the joys of life, despite how temporary that joy might be. The love she will receive from the relationship with her husband and daughter is worth the pain she will experience. Life is worth it.
Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Lava Bear Films/FilmNation Entertainment/21 Laps Entertainment/Xenolinguistics via IMDb
4. Unplanned (2019)
Recommended for Kids: Approved 18+
This movie is based on a true story, following Abby Johnson’s memoir. Abby recounts her experiences as a young woman who had two abortions, one in college and another later in life. The movie also explores her involvement with Planned Parenthood and what goes on there behind the scenes. Once Abby realizes the mindset of those at Planned Parenthood, she leaves and exposes what she has seen. Planned Parenthood sues her, and the movie centers on this conflict.
This is a Christian movie, told as a story but based on the life of a young woman. The topics are difficult to enter because of the violent nature and reality of the abortion industry, hence why the movie is rated for 18 and above. Abby’s passion was to expose the profitable nature of the abortion industry, spearheaded in the media by Planned Parenthood and others.
Photo Credit: ©Pureflix
5. Matter of Life (2022)
Where to watch: as of this writing, this film has finished in theaters and will release on streaming and DVD in late July/early August 2022.
Matter of Life is a documentary by filmmaker Tracy Robinson that goes through the biological and scientific background of the pro-life position. Interviews with doctors and leaders lay out the position and arguments against abortion. Notably, the movie encourages the church to love and forgive women going through unplanned pregnancies and for pro-live proponents to support local crisis pregnancy centers for resources and communities that give resources to young mothers.
This movie does a great job detailing the scientific reality of abortion but also adding the social and legal elements. Even those well versed in the pro-life position and history will learn from the abundance of information Robinson includes. This movie also has a great deal of heart, taking the time to share the story of one young woman who was raped as a teen and goes through her redemptive story. The movie includes images of what happens during an abortion, which are graphic, and there is a warning before they show those images. The clear calls to action are welcome and based on God’s love.
Photo Credit: The Matter of Life/Revelation Media/Fathom Events via IMDb
How Do We Talk about Pro-Life Topics?
As you can see from this list, even Christian movies that tackle abortion aren’t deemed kid-friendly. The difficult, traumatic nature of the issue and the graphic images are part of the industry. Many people are full of fear and anxiety about the overturning of Roe v. Wade. None of this should make us shy away from the topic. We must consider our responsibility to stand for the personhood of all people. We must also speak the truth in love, realizing that with God’s help, we can stand for what is right while loving those who disagree with us on this issue. One way to do that is through sharing stories and experiences through narrative and story, allowing movies like the ones on this list to start conversations and discussions rooted in the love of Christ.
Peace.
Further Reading:
What Is the Christian Perspective on the Roe v. Wade Decision?
Norma McCorvey, the Jane Roe in Roe v. Wade
What Does the Bible Say about Abortion?
How Should Christians Approach the Discussion of Abortion?
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/LightFieldStudios
