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Romantic drama

The Revival (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot

The Revival (2018) movie poster

The Revival is a 2018 romantic drama directed by Jennifer Gerber, starring David Rysdahl as Eli, Zachary Booth and Lucy Faust. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes. Critics gave it 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10.

IMDb rating
5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
78%
Echo Score
65
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The Revival (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m (85 min)
Director
Jennifer Gerber
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Revival About?

The premise of The Revival without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In a community deeply rooted in faith and tradition, a Baptist preacher finds himself drawn to a captivating young drifter. Their forbidden romance blossoms in secret, defying societal expectations and stirring intense emotions. As their passion grows, it threatens to unravel the established order and expose them to judgment.

The Revival Themes & Keywords

· 34 tags
  • gay
  • two word title
  • gay protagonist
  • gay kiss
  • homosexual
  • gay interest
  • church
  • religion
  • minister
  • controversy
  • congregation
  • gay character
+22 more
  • husband wife relationship
  • illicit
  • infidelity
  • closeted
  • doubt
  • queer cinema
  • guilt
  • fight
  • confrontation
  • title directed by female
  • sex scene
  • talking about sex
  • talking about love
  • lgbt
  • lgbt interest
  • lgbt plus
  • arkansas
  • making meth
  • gay bashing
  • murder
  • arson
  • independent film
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Cast & crew

The Revival Cast & Characters

David Rysdahl leads the cast as Eli, with Zachary Booth as Daniel and Lucy Faust as June. Directed by Jennifer Gerber; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Revival

· 3 more
Ratings

The Revival Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Revival 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

65 /100

The Revival Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, The Revival presents a thoughtful examination of faith and identity with standout performances and assured direction that sustain audience engagement. Critics appreciate the film’s sensitive balance between religious fervor and personal longing, while the restrained visual approach underscores its intimate scope. However, recurring observations about tonal inconsistency—particularly an abrupt shift in the third act—and a divisive conclusion temper its impact. The narrative’s focused thematic exploration is noteworthy, yet structural unevenness limits its broader resonance and replay appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, The Revival demonstrates assured directorial control and a measured visual style. The simple yet effective cinematography captures the intimate setting without distracting flourish, and the editing maintains brevity. Occasional moments of static framing and limited scale are noted, but overall the production design and pacing support the film’s intimate tone.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When it comes to character and emotion, The Revival benefits from compelling performances that convey inner conflict with subtlety. Its central actors deliver nuanced portrayals, rendering the protagonist’s spiritual crisis and interpersonal chemistry authentic. Minor inconsistencies in emotional clarity emerge in select scenes, but the film ultimately provides a resonant character study of conflicted identities.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Regarding story and flow, The Revival offers a poignant thematic premise exploring faith and desire. The narrative’s deliberate pacing and layered conflict yield compelling moments, yet the abrupt tonal shift in the third act undermines cohesion. Predictable elements recur alongside powerful set pieces, creating a mixed engagement that balances insightful observations with structural unevenness.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of sensory experience, The Revival’s soundtrack is understated, complementing the restrained visual approach. Sound design occasionally falters, with noticeable Foley unevenness that distracts from immersion. The simple color palette and naturalistic production design reinforce thematic intimacy, but a more inventive audiovisual treatment could have enriched the film’s atmospheric depth.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    When considering rewatch factor, The Revival offers thematic depth that may reward attentive viewers, but its uneven pacing and unsettling conclusion limit revisitation appeal. Strong performances and thoughtful direction invite further reflection, yet the film’s structural inconsistencies and divisive final act reduce the desire for subsequent viewings. Overall, the lasting impression is thought-provoking but not easily revisited.

Plot

The Revival Plot Summary

What happens in The Revival from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 6-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Eli, a preacher in Hot Springs, Arkansas, inherits his late father’s Baptist church and walks into a slowly crumbling faith community. The once-thriving congregation has dwindled, and the church’s funds have nearly run dry. In town, Emmanuel Baptist stands as a rival beacon — a larger, louder presence with a minister known as “Brother Aaron,” whose sermons even reach listeners on the local radio. The scene is set for a collision between two visions of faith, one fading and one flourishing, as Eli tries to keep his flock together while the town watches the newer church’s momentum.

Full summary

The whole story of The Revival, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

The Revival Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Revival.

The Revival Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips Indie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Revival?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of Eli's pregnant wife?

Details

The Revival Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “O Renascimento” and “Emoções Reprimidas”.

Also known as
  • O Renascimento
  • Emoções Reprimidas
  • 더 리바이벌

Seen The Revival?

FAQ

The Revival FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Revival, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Revival?

The Revival runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).

When was The Revival released?

The Revival was released on January 19, 2018.

Who directed The Revival?

The Revival was directed by Jennifer Gerber.

More films by Jennifer Gerber

Who is in the cast of The Revival?

The Revival stars David Rysdahl as Eli, Zachary Booth as Daniel and Lucy Faust as June, among 7 credited actors.

How is The Revival rated?

The Revival has 5.6/10 on IMDb, 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 56% on TMDB and 2.8/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Revival have a post-credit scene?

No. The Revival has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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