19-year old Hannah’s parents have secrets. Things they’ve kept from her. Her adoption, the reason for her life-long health issues…why would they not tell her? Bewildered and angered, Hannah turns to Jason, her best friend since childhood. He helps her deal with growing resentment and confusion—and encourages her to join his group of friends on a Spring Break road trip. Together they embark on a journey to unearth Hannah’s past in Mobile, AL, the city where her biological mother may still reside. On her quest to find the truth, Hannah discovers much, much more.

October Baby is simply a superb film. The true-to-life characters have great depth, and Baby handles numerous sensitive issues with dignity and respect. The main character Hannah (Rachel Hendrix) is an abortion survivor, and Baby doesn’t shy away from the subject matter—and for some in the cast, the subject hits close to home (Shari Rigby, who plays Hannah’s biological mother, brought her real life experiences with abortion to the role). Hendrix as Hannah is amazing in her first feature film. She brings complexity, sympathy, and even touches of humor to her character, without appearing whiny or shallow. She’s a joy to watch.

John Schneider is fabulous as Hannah’s adoptive father, Jacob. His character is heavy-handed at times, but Schneider is able to keep the audience sympathetic, motivated by love, but still capable of bad choices. Rounding out this great cast is Jennifer Price as Hannah’s adoptive mother, and Jason as Hannah’s friend Jason.

First time feature directors (and brothers) Andrew and Jon Erwin do a fantastic job of navigating this story and subject matter. This is not a film so much about abortion, but about forgiveness and finding worth in spite of what life has handed you. Interspersed throughout Baby are many fine moments of humor: honest, authentic and never forced. For example, a scene where Hannah finds herself at an unfamiliar gospel church. The scene isn’t over-the-top, which it could’ve been, but played as an example of a good pastor doing his job well. Some scenes seemed unnecessary and added little to the story—but if this is the quality the Erwins are establishing with their first feature, it will be exciting to see where their talents take them in the future.

October Baby is rated PG13 because of the subject matter alone, with no elements of bad language, violence, or sex. In one scene a supporting character is bemoaning the effects of a hangover, but the message is clear that alcohol abuse is unwise, and he is now paying the price. October Baby is a film everyone 13 and older should see: faith-based filmmaking at its best.

Want more OCTOBER BABY?

Check out the October Baby:  Official Trailer

Don’t miss Co-Director Jon Erwin’s intimate video Jon Erwin Talks About October Baby.

And watch the video from the October Baby soundtrack:  Andrew Belle – Oh My Stars, Live

For more details about October Baby, check out the Christian Film Database.

 

October Baby is a movie about forgiveness and finding self worth, and two characters guide us through these themes. Hannah has to live with the fact that her mother doesn’t love her—and never wanted her. She struggles with deep feelings of unworthiness, understandably so. Many of us, at one time or another, have felt unworthy or unloved. It’s in those times we can find acceptance and love in the One who created us. The Bible says, “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22). God loves us and finds us so precious and worthy that, according to Romans 5: 8-12, “demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” At our most unlovable, God sacrificed his utmost. On the flipside, sometimes it’s hard to forgive those who’ve wronged us, or who’ve caused us pain. One of the toughest passages in the Bible is found in Luke 6:35, “Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.” Hannah not only had to accept the hand she’d been dealt and cast her cares on God, but also had to find a way to forgive someone who discarded her. How difficult it must be to, as Colossians 3:13 suggests, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Some questions to think about: • Think of someone who has wronged you in some way. How did you react? • When you cause harm to someone else, how do you handle it? • How can God help in either of those situations?