Strongly in favor of religious liberty and even a morally right distribution of government funds, God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust (2024) follows the Rev. David Hill (David A.R. White), recruited by a former political consultant named Lottie (Samaire Armstrong), as he runs for a Congressional seat. His opponent is Peter Kane (Ray Wise), a vain liberal secularist. With a big advantage or two going to Kane, the race is very bumpy, often vexing for the pastor and Lottie and, yes, even Kane. The director is Vance Hull, who does palatable work; it’s too bad he’s directing a screenplay (by Tommy Blaze) that turns feeble.

A man as averse to religion as Kane would not win massive approval. Those scores of Christians to whom the movie refers, who fail to vote, would be motivated to vote against him. Numerous Christian Democrats would dislike him. What’s more, the false information about Kane that Lottie wishes to use against him would not have emanated from Dean Cain‘s Marc Shelley, the man who is financing Hill’s campaign. He would have considered it too risky.

Speaking of Cain, I wish we could see more of him in the film. He is smoothly compelling. At least Armstrong and Wise, who are lively and perceptive, have a lot of screen time. But my preference is for God’s Not Dead 2. And exactly what is wrong with the pastor’s tie, Lottie?