In this episode of Movie Night Apologetics, Clark and Bethany take on Cry, The Beloved Country—a powerful and challenging film set in South Africa just before apartheid was officially enacted.

Following Reverend Stephen Kumalo’s journey from his rural village to Johannesburg, the film confronts racial injustice, generational pain, fractured families, and the cost of Christian silence in the face of suffering. As Kumalo searches for his lost son and sister, a parallel story unfolds between him and James Jarvis, a white landowner whose worldview is shattered after the death of his son—a man who worked tirelessly for racial equality.

Bethany praises the film’s poetic honesty and emotional depth, while Clark wrestles with its pacing, structure, and missed relational opportunities—yet both agree the film’s dialogue and themes are deeply thought-provoking.

Together, they explore:

• Belonging vs. separation under apartheid
• How Scripture has been misused to justify racism/slavery
• The difference between suffering for righteousness and suffering for suffering’s sake
• Why Christian silence in injustice is never neutral
• And what it really means to bring God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven”

This episode isn’t just a movie review—it’s a theological reflection on mercy, pain, and the responsibility of believers to act when the world is breaking.

Boyhood is one of the most unique films ever made—shot over 12 years, following a young boy as he grows from childhood into adulthood. But does a movie with no traditional plot actually have something meaningful to say?

In this episode of Movie Night Apologetics, Clark and Bethany dive into Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, exploring its quiet moments, complex parent relationships, and its famously debated ending. They talk about childhood wonder, fatherhood in film, empty nest syndrome, honesty in prayer, and whether life’s meaning is found in big revelations—or in ordinary moments over time.

Along the way, they connect the film to Scripture, the mystery of God, the incarnation of Jesus, and what it means to be fully human. If you’ve ever wondered where God is in the mundane, this conversation is for you.

Articles We Mentioned in this Episode

5 Ways to Overcome Empty Nest Syndrome

https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/well-being/5-ways-to-overcome-empty-nest-syndrome/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NA_leads_performancemax&utm_term=&kpid=go_cmp-17884784088_adg-_ad-__dev-c_ext-_prd-&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21507416811&gbraid=0AAAAAD2htEw7YDV6Oghc461NjHdoRVVOs&gclid=CjwKCAiAmKnKBhBrEiwAaqAnZwx1DZlW5H7yUr2fhrv4AfsDPkvLfCJbylPZD3PjFt3dVAcwS9EEwRoCmIkQAvD_BwE

Let's Not Overspiritualize Our Problems (A Christmas Reflection)

https://baremarriage.com/2025/12/lets-not-overspiritualize-our-problems-a-christmas-reflection/

Scenes of the Movie We Discussed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkczyjYVUVk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1kuac45pe8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu-yKaX1ZDY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0mcF7FQY1I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxVRZ2Z2wR4

In this episode of Movie Night Apologetics, Clark and Bethany dive into the dark comedy cult classic Death Becomes Her. They break down Helen and Madeline’s fight for eternal youth, their totally dysfunctional rivalry, and the absurd consequences of living forever without any real transformation.

We talk CGI breakthroughs, hilarious movie trivia (including Meryl Streep literally leaving a scar on Goldie Hawn!), and why this film barely squeaks by the Bechdel Test. We also connect the movie’s obsession with outward appearance to a deeper spiritual truth.

From over-the-top comedy to unexpectedly thoughtful themes, this episode explores how Death Becomes Her gives us a surprisingly relevant look at vanity, insecurity, and how God cares about the heart more than the outward appearance.

Grab your (immortality) potion and join us!