Believe Me (2014) Movie Review: A Thought-Provoking Take on Faith and Deception

The first time I watched Believe Me, I wasn’t sure what to think. And honestly? I’m still not sure. But one thing’s for certain—this is the kind of movie that sparks conversation. If you're looking for something to dissect during family movie night, this just might be it.

Directed by Will Bakke and starring Alex Russell, Zachary Knighton, and Christopher McDonald, Believe Me takes an interesting approach to faith, deception, and the power of perception. Christian rapper Lecrae even makes a brief appearance, though blink and you might miss it.

The story follows Sam Atwell, a college senior who’s on track to graduate—until he finds out he still owes tuition money. With no way to pay and only two weeks until graduation, he comes up with a desperate (and highly questionable) plan: start a fake Christian charity. After all, he’s seen how generous Christians are when it comes to giving to mission work. With the help of his friends, they launch a fundraising scheme that quickly catches the attention of a major organization called Cross Country, which specializes in raising money for charity.

Seeing an opportunity to cash in, Sam and his friends decide to go all in. They study Christian culture, learn the right phrases, and master the art of blending in. They don’t believe in God—but does that really matter if they can play the part? As they tour with Cross Country and interact with real believers, things get complicated. People start looking up to them for spiritual guidance. But how do you lead others in faith when you don’t have any yourself?

While the premise is intriguing, the execution is where my feelings get mixed. For one, Jesus is mostly seen through the lens of characters who are faking their faith, making for a skewed perspective. It isn’t until near the end that we hear a Christian character express that their hope should be in Jesus alone—not just in a cause or an organization. I only wish there had been more balance, showing a clearer picture of who Jesus is through genuine believers.

Another thing to note: the movie contains a few cuss words. While they are either spelled out or abbreviated, it still raises the question—should a film that touches on Christian themes include profanity? And speaking of themes, is Believe Me really a Christian movie, or just a movie about people pretending to be Christians?

That said, the film does have its strong points. The humor and satire are well-executed, particularly in a scene that exaggerates the way Africa is often portrayed in charity campaigns. It’s a clever way of highlighting Sam’s indifference to the cause he’s supposedly supporting.

Overall, Believe Me is an interesting watch, but I’d advise parents to preview it before letting their teens watch alone. It raises deep questions about faith, integrity, and authenticity—conversations that are best unpacked together. So if you’re in the mood for a movie that challenges perspectives, this one is worth considering.

Would I watch it again? Maybe. Would I recommend watching it with a discussion afterward? Absolutely.