Ben Shapiro’s new film Confession, a pro-Christian, anti-communist drama featuring an A-list cast, is making waves in Hollywood—not just for its cinematic merits, but for the ideological battle it has ignited among critics. The movie, which premiered November 11, has drawn unexpected praise from both conservative commentators and even some typically hostile mainstream reviewers, while also exposing deep-seated political divisions in the entertainment industry.
A Stellar Cast and Unlikely Acclaim
Directed by Venice Golden Lion nominee Václav Marhoul, Confession stars Rob Lowe, James Franco, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Kodi Smit-McPhee in a story that explores faith, redemption, and ideological struggle. Early reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, with conservative voices like Rod Dreher of The Free Press calling it ‘one of the most philosophically and theologically profound films I’ve ever seen.’
Even left-leaning outlets like The Hollywood Reporter and Slate begrudgingly acknowledged the film’s technical brilliance, with THR praising Marhoul’s ‘gritty, intense tone’ and cinematographer Peter Menzi Jr.’s ‘strikingly harsh visuals.’ Slate’s reviewer admitted to enjoying James Franco’s performance, calling his portrayal ‘treacherously charming.’
Hollywood’s Ideological Resistance
Despite the film’s artistic strengths, some critics couldn’t resist framing their reviews through a political lens. The Hollywood Reporter opened its critique by attacking Shapiro’s conservative politics, writing, ‘I’m tempted to pan it on ideological grounds.’ This approach drew backlash from commentators like Eli Steele, who called the admission ‘utterly disqualifying for a film critic.’
Christian Toto, founder of Hollywood in Toto, noted that such bias was why he launched his own publication, saying mainstream reviewers feel compelled to ‘strangle anything that tilts conservative in the crib.’
A Broader Cultural Clash
The polarized reception highlights Hollywood’s ongoing struggle with ideological gatekeeping. While the industry has celebrated controversial figures like Roman Polanski and Harvey Weinstein, Shapiro’s foray into filmmaking—with an unapologetically conservative message—has rankled many in the entertainment press.
As Confession continues to screen, its success—both critically and commercially—could signal a shift in the cultural landscape, proving that films with conservative themes can compete on artistry alone, even in an industry resistant to their politics.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/even-our-biggest-haters-have-a-confession-to-make