The Shack (2017)

This has to be the most laid back movie on forgiveness, faith and love I have watched. Even behind the screen, being the audience, I felt the whole message. I caught the message. Honestly, if I could continually find movies like this, I won’t mind.

The Shack is an American faith-based movie directed by Stuart Hazeldine based on the 2007 novel of the same name. It follows the story of Mackenzie Phillips (Sam Worthington) and his deep rooted anger towards God after losing his youngest daughter, Missy (Amélie Eve), to the cold blooded hands of death because of a serial killer. Mack deals with grief and sadness the months before he receives a letter in his mail box signed by a “Papa” which happens to be his wife’s nickname for God. The note invites him to come to the very shack that holds his greatest pain and memories of loss. And Mack, out of his anger decides to go finish off who ever is playing this twisted game with him. However, what Mack finds isn’t a killer. Rather, he meets a trio unlike he ever imagined.

I saw this movie’s trailer around 2020. I kept telling myself I would see it and never did. Now I wonder, with where I was then and who I was, would I have caught the message as good as I did now? Would it have stayed with me till this long? Maybe or maybe not. The fact remains I have seen it and the most beautiful part of it is how it’s centered on my theme of the year: Healing.

I felt so many things watching this movie but each and every time, I had to stall my reaction. Each and every time when I would ask myself, “What will Papa say here?” And each and every time, Papa says the right things. I was a bit skeptical by the character they used here. I first thought, is this the Ariana Grande propaganda of God being a woman? But then, I’m quickly reminded when Papa takes the form of a Man that God will take whatever form he needs to make one feel comfortable. I have no idea how to explain it here without sounding deeply religious so, I’ll skip that part.

The illustrations given in the movie was filled with so much wisdom. For example, when Sarayu (Sumire) took Mack to the garden that was a “beautiful mess”. It was so profound seeing such a place being referred to as “Us”. We are beautiful messes.

When Mack had an encounter with Sophia, I had the answer I had been looking for to the question I have been asking myself for a while:

Why does God let bad things happen to good people if He really is all powerful? Why can’t He stop these evil people from destroying lives?

The illustration used to give an answer broke my heart as much as it answered my question. It all made sense and honestly, I can’t look at people the same way again. Pondering on that answer given by Sophia made me realise truly what the Book of Proverbs is in the Bible.

Now, this is a faith-based movie and not meant for everyone. However, it is centered on things many people struggle with which is sadness, grief, trauma and anger.

One other character that struck me and further illustrated the importance of forgiveness (not just a person this time but oneself) is Kate. Kate (Megan Charpentier) blamed herself for Missy’s death and as such, she pulled away from Mack, her father who never blamed her. This has so much meaning to me because I saw what I did when I felt guilt for something and pulled away from my Creator. That was in so many ways comforting and it mended something deep within me I had failed to acknowledge. Also, when Kate blamed herself, she projected on Mack causing a rift in their relationship. I think we all do that.

One further illustration that I found quite interesting was the scene at the Lake when Mack found himself drowning. That was a message for what it’s worth to whoever believed. And I do. So, I totally understood what it was all about.

This movie is so beautiful of itself especially given the message it carries. Many people won’t understand it and may even speak against it (I saw some very critical reviews based on logic of course, missing the vital part of the film) but it is a solid 10/10 for me. The actors, especially Mack, carried their parts as best as they could. I really liked Mack. He always had this clueless look on his face that made him seem adorable. I guess we have the actor to thank for that.

Would I recommend this movie? To every faith-filled believer I would. Like I said, it’s not for everyone.

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ALL IMAGES ARE SCREENSHOTS TAKEN BY ME FROM WATCHING THE MOVIE.