Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist is a 2023 Canadian apocalyptic thriller film directed by Kevin Sorbo and co-written by Paul Lalonde. It stars Sorbo, Neal McDonough, Bailey Chase, Corbin Bernsen, Greg Perrow, Sarah Fisher, Sam Sorbo, Charles Andrew Payne and Stafford Perry. It serves as a sequel to 2014 reboot Left Behind, which itself is based on the 1995 novel of the same name written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.[3]
| Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Kevin Sorbo |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Charles Hamilton |
| Edited by | Chris Bragg |
| Music by | Tyler Bragg |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | 101 Films International |
Release date |
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Running time | 118 minutes[1] |
| Country | Canada[1] |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $4.2 million[2] |
The film was released on January 26, 2023.
Premise
editThis section needs an improved plot summary. (February 2023) |
The world is in chaos six months after the Rapture took millions of people, and a new charismatic leader named Nicolae Carpathia is gaining prominence. Unclear whether he can be trusted or if he has a larger plan that involves the Tribulation, the world will soon know his name.[3]
Cast
edit- Kevin Sorbo as Rayford Steele
- Neal McDonough as Jonathan Stonagal
- Bailey Chase as Nicolae Carpathia
- Corbin Bernsen as Steve Plank
- Greg Parrow as Cameron "Buck" Williams
- Sarah Fisher as Chloe Steele
- Sam Sorbo as Amanda White
- Charles Andrew Payne as Pastor Bruce Barnes
- Stafford Perry as Dirk
- David LeReaney as Chaim Rosenzweig
- Kathryn Kohut as Hattie Durham
- Braeden Sorbo as Connor
Production
editDevelopment
editIn April 2015, Paul LaLonde launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, asking for $500,000 in contributions.[4] In July 2017, LaLonde announced on the film's Facebook page that he has purchased the rights to all 16 books of the series. He explained that he had been "handcuffed" to the first two books in the series and will now be able to finally tell the story with a plan for a series of 7 films covering the books in their entirety.[5]
Casting and filming
editAll cast members from the previous film were recast.[3] Sorbo replaces Nicolas Cage as Rayford Steele, while Greg Perrow, Sarah Fisher, Kathryn Kohut, and Charles Andrew Payne replace Chad Michael Murray, Cassi Thomson, Nicky Whelan, and Lance E. Nichols as Cameron "Buck" Williams, Chloe Steele, Hattie Durham, and Bruce Barnes, respectively. David LeReaney plays Chaim Rosenzweig, Sorbo's wife Sam Sorbo plays Amanda White, and Linda Kee plays Ivy Gold, a character who is not from the books, having first appeared in the original Left Behind film played by Krista Bridges.[6][7] Sorbo revealed that he was initially approached seven years ago to replace Cage for the role, but came onboard when it was time to go into production as he felt that "it just seems like the time is right".[8]
Principal photography took place in Calgary, Alberta for 19 days in late fall 2021.[7]
Release
editLeft Behind: Rise of the Antichrist was scheduled to be released in October 2022, but was pushed back.[9] It was released from January 26 to January 29, 2023 in partnership with Fathom Events.[10] The film was distributed worldwide by 101 Films International.[11]
The film surpassed $3 million at the box office in Canada and the United States.[12] It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on March 21, 2023.[13] The film was released in Brazil a month later on April 27, debuting in number five on the box office charts.[14]
Reception
editMichael Foust writing for the Christian website Crosswalk.com gave the film an entertainment rating of 3 out of 5, stating that the film is "one-third a thriller film, one-third an apologetics lesson, and one-third a sermon", ultimately concluding that "Rise of the Antichrist is the best Left Behind movie yet, even if it does include one or two moments of 'cheese' that briefly distract from the plot."[15]
Chris Willman of Variety states that while "the latest installment in the rapture franchise provides efficient filmmaking at times", in the end it "doesn't offer much movie rapture on the way to an altar-call epilogue."[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "Left Behind: Rise Of The Antichrist". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist (2023) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Willman, Chris (January 30, 2023). "'Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist' Review: Kevin Sorbo Steps Into Nicolas Cage's Shoes for Sequel, After Rapture of Previous Movie's Entire Cast". Variety. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ^ Osborn, Alex (April 13, 2015). "Left Behind producer seeks crowdfunding support for sequel". IGN. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "'Left Behind' Film Writer Bringing Series Back". Christian Broadcasting Network. July 8, 2017.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (May 12, 2022). "Neal McDonough, Corbin Bernsen, Bailey Chase Join Apocalyptic Thriller 'Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist' (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ a b Volmers, Eric. "Local actor lands major role in Calgary-shot Christian film Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist". Calgary Herald. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ Klett, Leah MarieAnn (December 27, 2022). "Kevin Sorbo says new film 'Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist' is timely amid chaos worldwide". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (May 12, 2022). "Neal McDonough, Corbin Bernsen, Bailey Chase Join Apocalyptic Thriller 'Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist' (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Fathom Events Announces Release of 'Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist'". PR Newswire (Press release). Fathom Events. November 22, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (May 17, 2022). "Apocalyptic Thriller 'Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist' Acquired by 101 Films Intl. (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
- ^ Law, Jeannie Ortega; Reporter, Christian Post (February 2, 2023). "'Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist' surpasses $3M mark at box office". The Christian Post. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ "Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist Blu-ray Disc Details". High-Def Digest. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "Super Mario Bros. – O Filme continua o reinado nas salas brasileiras". Omelete. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
- ^ Foust, Michael (January 27, 2023). "Kevin Sorbo says new film 'Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist' is timely amid chaos worldwide". Crosswalk.com. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
