Summary
The 2023 Christian thrillerSound of Freedommade waves last year as a controversial and highly talked about film, and continues to be a success even now. A year later, the Alejandro Monteverde hit is still drawing audiences, turning it into one of the most-watched films on advertising-based video on demand (AVOD).Sound of Freedomhas divided audiences across political lines, garnering mixed reviews from critics but garnering an almost perfect audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sound of Freedomwas inspired by the true storyof Tim Ballard and his quest to end child sex trafficking. Jim Caviezel plays Ballard, a government agent who races against time to rescue a girl from ruthless child traffickers in South America. While the film is based on Ballard’s experiences,Sound of Freedommade a few changesto Ballard’s real-life story. Yet, the film is still finding strong viewership.
What Happened To Tim Ballard After Sound Of Freedom
Sound of Freedom tells the story of Tim Ballard, who quit his job to rescue trafficked children. What happened to him after the events of the film?
Sound Of Freedom Has Become An AVOD Hit A Year Later
Renewed Interest In The Film Has Made It Popular Again
In June 2024, a year after its release,Sound of Freedomfound renewed interest, becoming one of the top streaming films in the U.S. on AVOD. Its initial release was also a resounding box office hit, netting the divisive film over $250 million during its run in theaters. The film’s transition to AVOD platforms has allowed it to reach wider audiences, sparking ongoing conversations regarding its themes and controversies.
The success ofSound of Freedomon AVOD demonstrates the effectiveness of digital platforms in extending a film’s lifecycle.AVOD provides a more accessible platform for viewers to engage with the movie, giving those outside of urban hubs and without easy access to cinemas the chance to see it. The platform may also give audiences who wouldn’t ordinarily be interested in films of this nature the opportunity to view it in private, without having to face public scrutiny or financially contribute to it directly.
Why Sound Of Freedom Was & Remains So Popular
A Successful Pay-It-Forward Campaign And Curiosity Keeps Viewers Interested
Among the numerous controversies surrounding the film,Sound of Freedom’s popularity has also come under some scrutiny. During its theatrical release,moviegoers reported that screenings of the film were sold out, but the theater itself was almost empty. Some attribute this discrepancy to the film’s distributor, Angel Studios, developing a “pay-it-forward” strategy that asked viewers to purchase an additional ticket “for someone who would not otherwise be able to see the film.” According toIndieWire, $2.6 million of the film’s opening week sales came from individuals and groups buying these extra tickets that would largely go unused.
Regardless of the distributor’s marketing strategies and how that may have impacted the results, it’s clear thatSound of Freedomis still finding interest among audiences on AVOD. This is likely due to the fact thatmany Hollywood films don’t tend to cater directly to conservative, faith-based audiences. Additionally, given that the film has attracted a lot of attention in the media and on social media platforms, it’s likely that the renewed interest in Monteverde’s film is due to curiosity, as viewers seem to want to find out what all the fuss was about.
Why Was Sound Of Freedom Controversial?
Ballard And A Producer Have Since Come Under Fire
Sound of Freedomwas a controversial filmthat came under fire for numerous reasons.Several reports suggest that the film doesn’t present an accurate telling of the eventsor Ballard’s actions. There’s some debate regarding Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R), the organization that Ballard founded in his mission to rescue children from traffickers, with criticisms aimed at the supposed inaccuracies of the group’s reporting and its methods of operation.
Since the film’s release, Ballard also drew negative attention for sexual misconduct allegations, with six women from his O.U.R organization filing a sexual assault lawsuit against him. As a result,Ballard resigned as CEO of O.U.R and has since been excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sexual misconduct allegations have also been leveled against Paul Hutchison, aSound of Freedomproducer and employee at O.U.R, but no charges have been filed.
In the face of these controversies,Sound of Freedomis still managing to draw audiences. The divisive film has found a captive (no pun intended) audience and continues to be a highly discussed topic in the media and on social media. Whether these controversies and criticisms help or hinder the film’s performance, it’s clear thatSound of Freedomhas touched on a corner of the market that has been previously underserved for entertainment.
Sound of Freedom
Cast
Based on the story of government agent Tim Ballard, Sound of Freedom is a dramatized-action film that follows Ballard as he heads to Colombia to break up a sex trafficking ring and save the children within it. After feeling like his work in the United States isn’t having the intended effect, Ballard decides to investigate further, learning that a former victim is still being held captive in Colombia.
