Father Stu
A hard-living boxer discovers a vocation in Catholic priesthood while confronting family estrangement, physical decline, and the possibility of redemption.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- earnest
- gritty
- hopeful
- inspirational movie night
- faith based viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found Mark Wahlberg committed and the true story sincere, but considered him miscast and the fact-based drama dramatically underdeveloped.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Stu moves from boxing, destructive behavior, and personal instability toward Catholic priesthood.
The plot explicitly emphasizes Stu's conflict with Bill Long and the evolving family relationship.
Stu's degenerative disease complicates his path toward ordination and gives his priestly mission heightened urgency.
The film dramatizes a real Catholic priest's life in an accessible Hollywood format centered on conversion and perseverance.
Films like Father Stu, and why
The Case for Christ
shared biographical redemption arc, religious faith, family conflict, and emotionally earnest drama
Soul Surfer
shared inspirational true-story structure, spiritual transformation, and illness-centered emotional stakes
The Two Popes
shared Catholic subject matter, troubled protagonist, and sincere conversion drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Rosalind Ross
- Release Date
- 2022-04-13
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (764)
Cast
- Mark Wahlberg
- Mel Gibson
- Jacki Weaver
- Teresa Ruiz
- Malcolm McDowell
- Annet Mahendru
- Cody Fern
- Winter Ave Zoli
- Ronnie Gene Blevins
- Ned Bellamy
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu, fuboTV, YouTube TV, FXNow
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Father Stu about?
- A hard-living boxer discovers a vocation in Catholic priesthood while confronting family estrangement, physical decline, and the possibility of redemption.
- What is Father Stu like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Father Stu as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Father Stu violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Father Stu as mild.
- What did critics think of Father Stu?
- Critics generally found Mark Wahlberg committed and the true story sincere, but considered him miscast and the fact-based drama dramatically underdeveloped.
- Which films are like Father Stu?
- Films with a similar feel include The Case for Christ, Soul Surfer, and The Two Popes.
- How long is Father Stu?
- Father Stu runs 124 minutes.
- Where can I watch Father Stu?
- In United States, Father Stu streams on Hulu, fuboTV, YouTube TV, FXNow.
