Originally published July 4, 2023 6:00 pm PDT
As theaters prepare to unveil the much-anticipated ‘Sound of Freedom’ this Tuesday, the movie has already impressed both critics and early audiences, scoring an impressive 92% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside a perfect 100% score from audiences.
The news comes from a report from The Post Millennial.
In a Variety review, renowned critic Owen Gleiberman lauded the film’s bold subject matter. “‘Sound of Freedom’ comes off as a compelling movie that sheds a much-needed light on a disturbing criminal phenomenon that’s been largely ignored by Hollywood,” he stated.
He went on to add that unlike the often-portrayed drug trafficking narrative, the issue of child sex trafficking has largely been side-stepped due to its challenging nature.
Gleiberman emphasized the importance of addressing this issue in his review.
Child sex trafficking is the “fastest growing international criminal network the world has ever seen,” he said. “A closing title states — accurately — that there are more people enslaved now, by sex trafficking, than there were when slavery was legal. And the nightmare lived by captured children is unspeakable, unimaginable…and all too real. Let’s be clear: This matters more than the cocaine or opioids industry.”
The Pauline Center for Media Studies, an initiative by the Daughters of St. Paul, applauded the film’s unique blend of action and drama.
Their review highlighted, Sound of Freedom “plays like an action thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat at the same time as being a drama about Tim’s first foray into rescuing trafficked kids. Caviezel’s acting is spot on as he expresses Tim’s horror at the reality these victims have endured and his determination to liberate them.”
The review also praised Lucas Avila’s poignant portrayal of Miguel, a trafficked child, “is magnificent at conveying the intense emotion of a trafficking victim coupled with the innocence of a child who just wants his sister back. A troubling aspect of the film, though, is that it makes integration back into ‘normal’ life after being exploited look too easy.”
‘Sound of Freedom’ has already garnered over $10 million in presales, with more than a million tickets sold, a testament to the audience’s anticipation.
The film is inspired by the real-life story of Tim Ballard, who left his role at the Department of Homeland Security in 2013 to establish Operation Underground Railroad.
This organization is committed to rescuing children trafficked globally, and in the film, Jim Caviezel takes on the role of Ballard.
