Why 'Sound of Freedom,' Jim Caviezel's controversial child sex trafficking film, is a hit

So far the summer's box-office titans feature wholly predictable stars and titles. There's Harrison Ford in his final "Indiana Jones" installment, Chris Pratt and the "Guardians of the Galaxy" gang, and Spider-Man swinging across the "Spider-Verse."

Far less expected is the impressive showing of Jim Caviezel and "Sound of Freedom."

The outside-of-Hollywood entry in the summer sweepstakes about a federal agent tackling child sex trafficking took in $27 million this weekend, according to Comscore. That makes "Freedom" the second most-popular movie in the country, behind Tom Cruise's top-grossing "Mission: Impossible − Dead Reckoning Part One" (which debuted with $56.2 million for the three-day weekend). "Freedom," which also stars Bill Camp and Mira Sorvino, has earned $85.5 million domestically since its release July 4.

'Breaks my heart': 'Sound of Freedom' director Alejandro Monteverde addresses controversies

But "Sound of Freedom" already is as much a political football as it is an unlikely cinematic success. The film is generating buzz among conservatives and liberals not so much for its content − both ideologies agree child sex trafficking is the height of immorality − but for comments made by its star. Fans say the movie speaks to an audience underserved by Hollywood; critics contend it's a recruiting tool for the far right.

Brandon Purdie, head of theatrical distribution at Angel Studios, which released the movie, attributed the success to word of mouth. “We’re deeply grateful to AMC, Cinemark, Regal, and all our theater partners − and their hard-working theater staff members − for working with us to accommodate the surging demand for this film and having the courage to release ‘Sound of Freedom’ during the busiest movie season of the year,” Purdie said.

Here's what to know about the film:

Is 'Sound of Freedom' based on a true story?

"Sound of Freedom" draws upon the real life of Tim Ballard, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent who is credited with saving countless children, largely from outside the U.S., from traffickers who force them into prostitution rings aimed at pedophiles.

In 2013, Ballard started the nonprofit group Operation Underground Railroad, which according to its website, "directly responds to international government requests to develop intelligence and assist to carry out rescue efforts." In 2020, Vice News published reports critical of the organization.

Ballard advised then-President Donald Trump in 2019 on trafficking issues.

Who funded 'Sound of Freedom'?

"Sound of Freedom" was shot in 2018 largely with funding from Mexican investors, according to The New York Times. Its writer and director, Alejandro Monteverde, is from Mexico. The film was originally slated for release by 20th Century Fox, but Disney shelved the project when it acquired the studio in 2019.

Angel Studios then stepped in to distribute "Sound of Freedom." The Provo, Utah-based company takes its name from the Silicon Valley term "angel investors," individual contributors that support fledgling start-ups. The company said it raised around $5 million from thousands of angel investors, each of whom get a revenue share in the project, to market the film.

What is 'Sound of Freedom' streaming on?

The PG-13 movie is only in theaters at this time and is showing on nearly 3,300 screens nationwide. On its website, Angel Studios encourages fans to "pay it forward" and purchase tickets for those interested in seeing the movie but who can't afford a seat.

What are critics saying about 'Sound of Freedom'?

"Sound of Freedom" has a 79% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 100% audience score. Audiences gave it an A+ on CinemaScore. In a largely positive review, Variety's Owen Gleiberman wrote, “Let’s assume that, like me, you’re not a right-wing fundamentalist conspiracy theorist looking for a dark, faith-based suspense film ... you needn’t hold extreme beliefs to experience ‘Sound of Freedom’ as a compelling movie that shines an authentic light on one of the crucial criminal horrors of our time, one that Hollywood has mostly shied away from.”

In contrast, Nick Allen, writing for RogerEbert.com, says the movie is too preoccupied with its overarching message, noting, "If 'Sound of Freedom' were less concerned with being something 'important,' it could be more than a mood, it could be a movie." And Rolling Stone critic Miles Klee called the film a "superhero movie for dads with brainworms," while The Guardian critic Charles Bramesco took "Sound" to task for being "QAnon-adjacent."

What are actor Jim Caviezel's beliefs?

Jim Caviezel, who played the title role in Mel Gibson’s 2004 box-office sensation “The Passion of the Christ,” recently appeared on Steve Bannon's podcast to promote "Sound of Freedom."

During the segment, Caviezel made mention of “adrenochrome,” a hormone that QAnon adherents say global elites harvest from child victims as an allegedly life-extending elixir. "Couple of years ago, I'm talking about adrenochrome, you can't say that word," the actor told Bannon.

As the credits roll on "Sound of Freedom," Caviezel appears as himself on the screen saying he hopes the film will be seen as “the ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ of 21st century slavery," adding, "We believe this movie has the power to be a huge step forward toward ending child trafficking.”

What is QAnon?

QAnon is described by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an "umbrella term for a sprawling spiderweb of right-wing internet conspiracy theories with antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ elements that falsely claim the world is run by a secret cabal of pedophiles who worship Satan and are plotting against President Trump. ... QAnon believers falsely claim the cabal is abducting children to kill them and harvest their blood for a chemical known as adrenochrome, which is used to extend their lives."

"Sound of Freedom" does not mention QAnon or any issues that are politically partisan.

Contributing: The Associated Press

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Sound of Freedom,' movie on child sex trafficking, is an unlikely hit