The River Thief

This is not the kind of movie that leaves you complacent. Its narrative power and intensity held my attention while I watched and afterwards, and while it's not perfect, it's a great feature film debut for N. D. Wilson. His faith is here without shame as it should be, but it doesn't overwhelm the film, and he's comfortable creating all kinds of characters, good, flawed, and quirky, and letting them do what they do. The cinematography is great as well. Another reviewer mentioned Flannery O'Connor, and I agree that TRT did make me think of several of her stories. Not comparing N.D's artistic ability to hers in any way, but the movie's story, overall and in some of the details, works in a way that's very similar to that of her writings (if you've read them and seen TRT you'll know specifically what I mean). When I realized this it really helped me understand TRT. N.D. has said he's an O'Connor fan in interviews, so I believe the connection very much is there. It's a different kind of Christian movie, and very much better for it, with a message that challenged me passed the point of comfort in a good way. That's what does the most to make TRT valuable, its call to look at yourself, the world, and your faith differently. I can't wait to see whatever N.D. Wilson comes out with next.

This is a hauntingly hard movie. Author Jonathan Rogers (The Wilderking Trilogy) wrote a biography of Flannery O'Connor called "The Terrible Speed of Mercy." I think that this movie could be subtitled the same. Like O'Connor's writing, this movie tells an excellent, unpredictable, and interesting but very dark story that shocks the viewer and leaves us deeply unsettled. Like O'Connor's writing, however, the story sticks with the viewer forcing us to consider what is really at work. Staying as far away from sentimental and sacchraine religiousity and romance as posisble, The River Thief presents believable and relatable characters who live lives that are variations on a theme of normal. Some are good, some are bad, all are a mix of both. None are wasted. None are without the possibility of both. The main character is a throw away kid - unwanted, unloved, and uncivilized. Growing up without a father, he has no sense of who he is and what his life is for. Hardened by a hard world, he is a thief and a destructive force. However, he also has a conscience and lives by a self determined code of right and wrong. Like O'Connor's characters, this thief lives the life infront of him without much thought to how his choices impact others or how others have impacted him. This survival mode attitude puts him in the path of both actue goodness and actue evil. Straddling the line between the two, he makes some catastrophic choices which result in a lot of individual deaths. But, also like O'Connor's writing, no one is too hardened to be without the possibility of grace. The movie is visually beautiful. The acting is authentically good. The plot twists are unexepected and intriguing. While this movie is unrated, it is for a realtively mature audience. The necessary violence is done very tastefully but the pschological impact of it should sting us. The ending is not tidy and, while appropriate, it is somewhat unresolved. Again, like Flannery O'Connor, the movie ends with an invitation to contemplate the human condition, the way that grace works, and the impact of mercy on putrified souls. While very entertaining and a poignant example of modern storytelling, this is not a feel good movie. It is a movie that I will watch many times and will probably appreciate more each time. It is a movie that makes me feel grateful for my blessings and sensitive to the needs of others. It is a movie which showcases sacrifice and generosity of spirit. It would be an excellent movie for teens or young adults who want to wrestle with challenges of how to live rightly in a world of expediency.

I think this is a genuine classic, raising important questions for us to ponder. Two examples of these great questions are- Marty's (grandpa of Selah) treatment of the thief (Diz) and how physical attraction between Selah (granddaughter of Marty) and Diz (a young drifter) can appropriately affect their relationship. I highly recommend "The River Thief."

Ironic: Once again rotten tomatoes delivers a rotten review. However if you are looking for a good movie that breaks away from the usual, this movie definately delivers on that mission. Yes faith is a theme in the movie no need to write it off because of that. Even if one has no faith, there are other great themes like freedom, mercy, love, and gratitude to name a few.

This moive is incredible! It is the freshest movie I have ever seen on a seemingly small budget! Bigger Hollywood productions should take a page out of The River Thiefs book. Incredible acting and cinematography.

The first word that comes to mind after watching this film is "refreshing." It's adventurous and deep, with stellar performances by the entire cast and a particularly heartwarming one by Tommy Cash. "The River Thief" avoids an obnoxious Hollywood cliché ending without sacrificing a thriller-level plot twist, and spectacularly upends the good-girl-bad-boy trope with the first 100% relatable female lead I have ever watched on any screen. While the intensity and violent crime makes this film unsuitable for young children I highly recommend it for families with older children. The quality production and valuable lessons on living life with integrity, facing death with dignity, and keeping faith and grace through everything, will promote thoughtful discussion and growth.

We really enjoyed it and will watch it again someday. I've grown tired of movies re-hashing the same stories. This seemed fresh and was well shot.

Deep and thought provoking story. Beautiful cinematography.

Showed to my kids(ages 6-10). They loved. I loved. Lots to talk about afterward. Fantastic film!

If you're familiar with N.D. Wilson's children's novels, you know you're in for a treat with The River Thief, his first feature film. This film breaks from the typical Christian film by telling a good story first and foremost. A lost, father-hungry boy discovering true love. Not the sappy, romantic love of your typical Hollywood flick (this girl wouldn't have any of that), but rather the kind of love that creates a longing to live or die for someone else (something new for Diz). A wonderful family film, although there are some rough scenes. My 7-year-old son was spellbound, and somewhat affected by the rough parts. Yet this is the kind of story that is healthy. The emotion, drama, and violence of this *good* story are like emotional boot camp; it allows a young boy or girl to experience these emotions of grief and fear along with the positive life lesson that a good story provides. As a resident of the Northwest where this was shot, I also appreciated the cinematography, which was outstanding! Beautiful aerial views in particular. I highly recommend The River Thief!