The “Jesus Revolution” is a newly-released movie from the creators of the successful film, “I Can Only Imagine.” It was released in theaters nationwide on February 24. Unlike most pictures, it is based on a true story regarding youth minister Greg Laurie, hippie preacher Lonnie Frisbee and pastor Chuck Smith as they take a monumental part in creating the Jesus movement in California during the late 1960s to 1980s. Also referred to as the “Jesus People Movement” or “Jesus freaks movement”. The story has also been made into a book of the same name, written by Greg Laurie and Ellen Vaughn.

The movement began on the West Coast and spread throughout North America, Europe, and Central America. Prior to the revolution, many hippies in America experimented with psychedelic drugs to find answers. But in their pursuit for the truth, these people came to faith in Jesus Christ, giving birth to the Jesus revolution. Many young people left conventional Christian churches to join the excitement and transformation of the new movement of Christian renewal.

The main actor is Joel Courtney who plays young Greg Laurie. The film follows Laurie through high school as he is raised by his struggling mother. Laurie brawls with drug abuse as he tries to fit in with his hippie friends in search of the “answers”. He finally travels to Southern California with a wave of people from Los Angeles to redefine truth through Jesus. He finds renewal through the church, and becomes a youth minister with the help of Chuck Smith.

An empowering moment of the film is when thousands of baptisms were filmed being done by Chuck and Lonnie at Pirates Cove in Los Angeles. On instagram, the Jesus Revolution Movie account says, “If the baptism scene in Jesus’ Revolution feels authentic, that’s because it is. Lives really were changed on set in unprecedented and transformative ways.”

A character that was very notable was the protagonist, Greg Laurie. It was inspiring to see his tumultuous walk to Jesus. After doubting God and turning to psychedelic drugs instead, he realized the true power He has at healing. The Jesus movement changed the direction of Laurie’s life forever.

Clearly, the film’s main audience are believers of Jesus. But, it would still be enjoyable to watch for any non-believers. The cinematics are beautiful, and the character development can be inspirational to anyone who does not believe.

Coincidentally, the day that the Jesus Revollutin premiered was the same day the Asbury Revival ended. The Christian revival at Asbury University in Kentucky was sparked by students spontaneously staying in Hughes Auditorium following a regularly scheduled chapel service on February 8, 2023. The non-stop praise and worship had gone on for 16-days after. This revival was the first since the Jesus movement.

Notre Dame prides itself in being a mult-religous school, so the film showcases one of the more prominent religions at NDB.

Overall, the film was liked by the majority of viewers. On Rotten Tomatoes, it was a 99% audience score. Throughout the movie, viewers felt sense of many emotions. There were times of laughter, sadness, frustration, and more. The Catalyst enjoyed the “Jesus Revolution” and recommends it to anyone.