On this Friday, April 14, a widely released movie called “Nefarious” will launch spiritual discussions in Alaska and across America – and likely within houses of worship and youth groups. Nefarious is scheduled to play at the Regal Goldstream in Fairbanks and Valley Cinema in Wasilla, but as of this writing, not yet in other communities in Alaska. We hope that will change.

Our friends at our sister organization in Iowa, The FAMiLY Leader, were permitted to preview the film, and asked that we inform and equip our ministry partners about the opportunity this film presents.

“Nefarious” is based on the book “A Nefarious Plot” by Christian talk show host Steve Deace, which brings to light the devil’s dark work in destroying lives. It is written in a style similar to C.S. Lewis’ exemplary tale, “The Screwtape Letters.”

The “Nefarious” movie, however, wasn’t written for Christian audiences. It is a contemporary thriller, an R-rated film with a poster and marketing campaign targeting fans of horror movies.

But as Steve Deace explains, “Nefarious” isn’t just a scary movie – it’s a deliberate conversation starter. Some will see it as the kind of film to invite non-believing friends to watch, in order to follow up with a discussion about the merciless reality of evil, our need for a savior, and Jesus’ victory on the Cross.

“This movie is a thriller but it is with the intent of grabbing the culture by the throat and saying to them… you’re right to the lip, to the tape line of madness. If you take one more step, you’re belly flopping and not coming back.”

– Steve Deace, author of “A Nefarious Plot” 

“Nefarious” was made with Hollywood-quality production values exceeding most “Christian” films – one of the reasons this movie will be widely distributed in thousands of theaters across America. Thus, this movie has the potential to penetrate deep into the wider culture and the conversations of the people all around us.

In fact, “Nefarious” won’t be advertised as a “Christian” movie at all. If you only watched the trailer or saw the film poster, you might assume it was anything but! The filmmakers’ goal is to avoid being limited to the faith market, but rather to bring faith discussions to a much wider audience.

Our friends at The FAMiLY Leader sat down with Steve Deace to ask him about why the movie is being marketed the way it is, why Christians will nonetheless want to know about it, and how the Church can make the most of this moment to talk to others about Christ’s victory over the darkness (John 1:5):

Watch the interview below on “Nefarious” with the mind behind the movie, Steve Deace:

The views shared here are those of the author.

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