God's Not Dead: We the People

{{Infobox film

| name = God's Not Dead:
We the People

| image = God's Not Dead 4 poster.png

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Vance Null

| screenplay = Tommy Blaze

| story = {{Plainlist|

Cary Solomon
Chuck Konzelman

}}

| producer = Brent Ryan Green

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| cinematography = Brian Shanley

| editing = Vance Null

| music = Pancho Burgos-Goizueta

| studio = Pinnacle Peak Pictures
Toy Gun Films

| distributor = Fathom Events

| released = {{Film date|2021|10|04}}

| runtime = 91 minutes

| country = United States

| language = English

| gross = $1.1 million{{cite web |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt14578032/ |title = God's Not Dead: We the People (2021) |work = Box Office Mojo |access-date =May 3, 2022}}

}}

God's Not Dead: We the People is a 2021 American Christian drama film directed by Vance Null, with a script written by Tommy Blaze, from an original story co-authored by Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman.{{Cite web|last1=Vlessing|first1=Etan|date=January 22, 2021|title=Pure Flix Rebrands as Pinnacle Peak Pictures|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/pure-flix-rebrands-as-pinnacle-peak-pictures-4120566/|access-date=May 17, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter}} The sequel to God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness and the fourth installment in the God's Not Dead series, the plot centers around Christian minister David Hill's role in defending religious homeschooling before Congress. The film stars David A. R. White, Antonio Sabato Jr., Francesca Battistelli, Judge Jeanne Pirro, Isaiah Washington, and William Forsythe.

The film was released on October 4, 2021, in a three-night theatrical engagement,{{Cite tweet|number=1391777880019922949|user=DavidARWhite|title=When you can't make the gym, work out at work... In this case on the set of God's Not Dead 2. #godsnotdead2 #Throwback God's Not Dead: We The People in theaters this coming October.|author=David A.R. White|author-link=David A.R. White}} and grossed over $1.1 million in the domestic box office.

A sequel titled, God's Not Dead: In God We Trust was released on September 12, 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/gods-not-dead-5-movie-david-ar-white-pure-flix/|work=The Wrap|title='God's Not Dead': Fifth Installment in the Works at Pure Flix and Pinnacle Peak Pictures (Exclusive)|author=Lambert, Harper|date=September 13, 2022|accessdate=January 23, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/gods-not-dead-returns-with-part-5-will-focus-on-politics.html|work=The Christian Post|title='God's Not Dead' to return with part 5, asks 'Is God dead in American politics?'|author=Ortega Law, Jeannie|date=September 15, 2022|accessdate=January 23, 2023}}

Plot

A group of parents led by a local pastor, Dave Hill, are home-schooling their children when a representative from social services makes an unannounced visit and determines the parents' teaching is not sufficient in meeting federal education standards. The parents are summoned to court after their curriculum is deemed non-compliant with state educational standards. The families argue that they should have the right to educate their children in alignment with their religious beliefs. When the judge rules in favor of the state, the families, along with Reverend Dave, decide to appeal the decision.

They travel to Washington, D.C., where they seek to make their case in front of a congressional subcommittee. With assistance from fictional Congressman Daryl Smith, they argue that government oversight of their curriculum infringes upon parental rights and religious freedoms. The film culminates in a hearing where Reverend Dave and the families present their views on individual liberties and the role of the state in education. Following the conclusion of the hearing, a judge rules in favor of Dave Hill and the families' appeal.

Cast

David A. R. White as Reverend Dave Hill, a pastor who appeared in all three previous God's Not Dead films.
Antonio Sabàto Jr.{{Cite web|last=Bond|first=Paul|date=July 14, 2021|title=New "God's Not Dead" movie to star "blacklisted" Antonio Sabato Jr.|url=https://www.newsweek.com/new-gods-not-dead-movie-star-blacklisted-antonio-sabato-jr-1609464|access-date=August 22, 2021|website=Newsweek}} and Francesca Battistelli{{Cite web|last=|date=July 14, 2021|title=Francesca Battistelli to Star in Upcoming Film "God's Not Dead: We The People"|url=https://gospelmusic.org/francesca-battistelli-to-star-in-upcoming-film-gods-not-dead-we-the-people/|access-date=August 22, 2021|website=The Gospel Music Association}} as Mike and Rebecca McKinnon, a couple who plan to homeschool their child
Jeanine Pirro as Judge Elizabeth Neely, the local town judge who decides whether the McKinnons will continue to homeschool their children, send them to public school, or have them incarcerated if they refuse. Pirro previously made an uncredited cameo in the third film.
Isaiah Washington as Rep. Daryl Smith, a Congressman who helps Dave.
William Forsythe as Senator Robert Benson
Matt Anspach as Brandon McKinnon, Mike and Rebecca's older son
Benjamin Onyango as Reverend Jude Mbaye,{{Cite web|last=Harper|first=Jennifer|date=August 12, 2021|title=Inspirational film explores challenges of homeschooling, the battle for 'our children's intellect'|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/aug/12/inspirational-film-exposes-challenges-homeschoolin/|access-date=August 22, 2021|website=The Washington Times}} a minister from Ghana and Dave Hill's friend who died in the previous film. He appears in a dream to encourage Dave to stand up for freedom.
Dani Oliveros as Kayla Neely, Judge Neely's daughter who sells Brandon her car and becomes his girlfriend
Marco Khan as Misrab, Ayisha's estranged father who rejected her from the first film, and tries to reunite her in an attempt to redeem himself all while deciding whether or not to accept Jesus Christ as savior
Hadeel Sittu as Ayisha, Misrab's daughter who became Christian, and becomes involved in a car accident
Paul Kwo as Martin Yip
Paul Carroll as Congressional Aide

Production

The film's production was announced on David A. R. White's Instagram in late 2020.{{Cite web|last=Hallowell|first=Billy|title='God's Not Dead 4': A New 'God's Not Dead' Installment Is on the Way|url=https://insider.pureflix.com/movies/gods-not-dead-movies|access-date=May 17, 2021|website=insider.pureflix.com}} It was filmed in Oklahoma during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|date=May 26, 2021|title=Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt Signs 'Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021' Increasing State's Film and TV Incentives|url=https://www.okcommerce.gov/oklahoma-governor-kevin-stitt-signs-filmed-in-oklahoma-act-of-2021-increasing-states-film-and-tv-incentives/|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Oklahoma Department of Commerce}}

Reception

The film, like its predecessors, was largely panned by critics. Steve Pulaski of Influx Magazine gave the film a rare "F" letter-grade, criticizing the plot and message saying, "God's Not Dead: We the People is not merely the worst in an already-misbegotten series, but so utterly deplorable that its status as a three-night-only event in theaters at least assures that significantly fewer people will see it."{{cite web |last1=Pulaski |first1=Steve |title="God's Not Dead: We the People" (2021) Review |url=https://influxmagazine.com/gods-not-dead-we-the-people-2021-review/ |website=Influx Magazine|date=October 5, 2021 }}

Conservative Christian film critic Christian Toto praised the film, stating that while it "shares the franchise's flaws...its bold mission statement has never been more necessary".{{cite web |last1=Toto |first1=Christian |title='God's Not Dead: We the People' Is the Movie We Need, Flaws and All |url=https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/gods-not-dead-we-the-people-review/ |website=Hollywood in Toto|date=October 6, 2021 }}