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The Mission

Play trailer 2:09 Poster for The Mission PG-13 2022 1h 35m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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64% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Every year, over 60,000 young missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are sent across the world to preach their gospel. Sundance Film Festival selection THE MISSION follows four Latter-day Saints teenagers from their training in Utah to their missions in Finland, home of Europe's most private and secular people. Tania Anderson's film tracks these wide-eyed, impassioned teens on their two-year rite of passage, as they struggle with being immersed in a new culture, and the daily rejections they inevitably receive throughout their task. Granted total access by the Church, THE MISSION is a sensitive observational documentary detailing the challenges and triumphs of these missionaries' journeys.
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The Mission

Critics Reviews

View All (22) Critics Reviews
Noel Murray Los Angeles Times A poignant and relatable portrait of loneliness... Jan 27, 2023 Full Review Natalia Winkelman New York Times As the events unspool, the film struggles to crystallize more than a handful of compelling points. Jan 26, 2023 Full Review Robert Daniels RogerEbert.com The Mission feels too subversive to be noticed. Jan 26, 2022 Full Review Wade Major FilmWeek (LAist) It's de-stigmatizing but it isn't illuminating. Feb 11, 2023 Full Review Alan Ng Film Threat A profile of young people who love their church and want to change the world for the better. Rated: 6.5/10 Jan 30, 2023 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com The Mission offers a mere glimpse into the world of one of America's most intriguing denominations but that glimpse is, indeed, rather fascinating from beginning to end. Rated: 3.5/4.0 Jan 27, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Trey B The film was very well done and did not seek to portray a biased view of the missionaries or their beliefs in any way. As a returned missionary myself, I found many moments to be very poignant as I remembered congruencies in my own experience. One issue I guess you could say I had with the film was that the missionaries definitely went through some tough times as all do, however it was clear they also had some high points. Maybe intentionally, the high points didn't seem to convey the positive emotional impact of what were definitely highlights and lifelong memories for the missionaries in the film. Regardless of that small issue I found, the movie was enjoyable, relatable, and accurate in my opinion. Very refreshing watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/09/23 Full Review Chris J MOVIE REVIEW The Mission – Genre: Documentary Year Released: 2023 Runtime: 1h 35m Director(s): Tania Anderson Where To Watch: Premiering on VOD & digital on January 27, 2023 RAVING REVIEW: THE MISSION, directed by Tania Anderson, is a film that offers a unique perspective into the lives of young individuals as they embark on a transformative journey. As a selection at the Sundance Film Festival and a Grand Jury nominee, the film delves into the inner workings of an institution that sends thousands of young people to the four corners of the planet to serve and share their spiritual teachings. The filmmaking process was guided by the principle of "standing on equal ground" with the cast and all the people behind the scenes, providing an intimate and, at times, uncomfortably personal experience. The audience is placed directly in the paths of the subjects, offering a unique view into the lives of these young individuals, but the film also leaves the audience wanting more. The film follows a group of volunteers aged between eighteen and twenty-one as they complete their training and try to find their feet in a different country, away from home, sometimes for the first time. One of the critical ways a major denomination spreads its message is through missionary work. The film focuses on this aspect of the institution, and it is an enthralling portrait of a group of young people who put their lives on hold to serve their faith. The filmmaker does not pass judgment, instead allowing events to unfold organically, providing a space for these ordinary youngsters to be seen and heard as they are. Despite its limitations, THE MISSION remains a powerful and thought-provoking film that offers a glimpse into the weight of a spiritual mission. However, the film is open, but not entirely; while we see more than a traditional documentary, it still feels like many closed doors only let us see this entire journey. In conclusion, it's a film that will make you ponder the sacrifices and the weight of a spiritual mission and its impact on the individuals who embark on it. For more reviews and my YouTube channel, please visit linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews. I'm always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Mission

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Movie Info

Synopsis Every year, over 60,000 young missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are sent across the world to preach their gospel. Sundance Film Festival selection THE MISSION follows four Latter-day Saints teenagers from their training in Utah to their missions in Finland, home of Europe's most private and secular people. Tania Anderson's film tracks these wide-eyed, impassioned teens on their two-year rite of passage, as they struggle with being immersed in a new culture, and the daily rejections they inevitably receive throughout their task. Granted total access by the Church, THE MISSION is a sensitive observational documentary detailing the challenges and triumphs of these missionaries' journeys.
Director
Tania Anderson
Producer
Juho-Pekka Tanskanen, Isabella Karhu, Juho-Pekka Tanskanen
Screenwriter
Tania Anderson
Rating
PG-13 (Thematic Elements|Full Nudity|Some Violent Content|Sexual References)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 27, 2023
Runtime
1h 35m
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