The Apostle
A volatile Texas preacher rebuilds his life in Louisiana by turning personal disgrace into a fervent, imperfect ministry of redemption.
Overview
A preacher's fall from grace leads him on a journey of redemption and self-discovery.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- fervent
- intimate
- bruised
- reflective evening
- faith and spirituality viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Robert Duvall’s fearless lead performance and direction, along with the film’s nuanced, deeply theological treatment of faith, sin, race, and redemption.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sonny repeatedly preaches on radio broadcasts, streets, and in church gatherings, making religious intensity central to his behavior.
After attacking Horace and abandoning his former life, Sonny adopts a new identity and pursues service through preaching and church restoration.
The story moves from Texas to Louisiana and centers on Pentecostal preaching, a local radio station, and a church renovation campaign.
The Louisiana ministry brings together Black and white congregants and frames Christian community as universal across race and class.
Films like The Apostle, and why
Tender Mercies
shared Southern setting, spiritual struggle, morally flawed protagonist, and searching dramatic tone
First Reformed
shared religious vocation, redemption themes, and intimate character-driven drama
The Color Purple
shared evangelical culture, race-conscious community conflict, and emotionally forceful Southern drama
Crazy Heart
shared focus on damaged American men, moral reckoning, and deeply humanistic drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Duvall
- Release Date
- 1997-12-19
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (163)
Cast
- Robert Duvall
- Farrah Fawcett
- Miranda Richardson
- John Beasley
- Walton Goggins
- Billy Bob Thornton
- June Carter Cash
- Billy Joe Shaver
- Rick Dial
- Todd Allen
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Apostle about?
- A volatile Texas preacher rebuilds his life in Louisiana by turning personal disgrace into a fervent, imperfect ministry of redemption.
- What is The Apostle like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Apostle as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Apostle violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Apostle as mild.
- What did critics think of The Apostle?
- Critics broadly praised Robert Duvall’s fearless lead performance and direction, along with the film’s nuanced, deeply theological treatment of faith, sin, race, and redemption.
- Which films are like The Apostle?
- Films with a similar feel include Tender Mercies, First Reformed, The Color Purple, and Crazy Heart.
- How long is The Apostle?
- The Apostle runs 134 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Apostle?
- In United States, The Apostle is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
