Overview
A mother's unwavering faith is tested when her son struggles with his identity in a world of intolerance.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- devastating
- earnest
- poignant
- social issue film night
- lgbtq+ history viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the fact-based drama powerful and emotionally affecting, especially because of Sigourney Weaver's performance, while some considered its tearful earnestness overly calculated.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mary Griffith pressures Bobby to change his sexuality through prayer and church activities, intensifying his isolation.
The Presbyterian church's disapproval and surrounding conservative norms shape Bobby's shame and Mary's initial response.
Mary's devastating loss leads her to question her faith and engage with the gay community.
Mary's later outreach and public engagement connect Bobby's story to opposition against anti-gay prejudice.
Films like Prayers for Bobby, and why
Boy Erased
shared lgbtq+ subject matter, family conflict, religious prejudice, and emotionally devastating social-issue drama
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
shared coming-out narrative, parent child relationship, faith-based condemnation, and grief-centered drama
A Family Thing
shared lgbtq+ family drama, conservative religious community, and painful journey toward acceptance
An Early Frost
shared true-story television drama, parental transformation, and advocacy against institutional prejudice
Movie Details
- Director
- Russell Mulcahy
- Release Date
- 2009-01-24
- Runtime
- 89 min
- Rating
- 8.1 / 10 (654)
Cast
- Sigourney Weaver
- Henry Czerny
- Ryan Kelley
- Austin Nichols
- Carly Schroeder
- Scott Bailey
- Rebecca Louise Miller
- Shannon Eagen
- Susan Ruttan
- Dan Butler
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus, Lifetime Movie Club, Lifetime Movie Club Apple TV channel, Lifetime Movie Club Amazon Channel
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Prayers for Bobby about?
- A grieving mother confronts the destructive consequences of religious rejection after her gay son's death and gradually transforms into an advocate for acceptance.
- What is Prayers for Bobby like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Prayers for Bobby as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Prayers for Bobby violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Prayers for Bobby as mild.
- What did critics think of Prayers for Bobby?
- Critics broadly found the fact-based drama powerful and emotionally affecting, especially because of Sigourney Weaver's performance, while some considered its tearful earnestness overly calculated.
- Which films are like Prayers for Bobby?
- Films with a similar feel include Boy Erased, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, A Family Thing, and An Early Frost.
- How long is Prayers for Bobby?
- Prayers for Bobby runs 89 minutes.
- Where can I watch Prayers for Bobby?
- In United States, Prayers for Bobby streams on Disney Plus, Lifetime Movie Club, Lifetime Movie Club Apple TV channel, Lifetime Movie Club Amazon Channel.
