Films centered around faith can be unpredictable; while those involved often have good intentions, many are simply not enjoyable to watch. It’s common for viewers outside the Christian community to dismiss these kinds of movies—or any film that doesn't align with their views—without giving them a chance, sometimes resorting to personal attacks against critics or audience members who do offer a positive assessment. Some Christians react similarly when confronted with films that challenge their beliefs. "Fatima" isn’t flawless, but the story of the three children who witnessed apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1917 Portugal remains significant. The film follows Lucia (Stephaine Gil), along with her cousins Jacinta (Alejandra Howard) and Francisco (Jorge Lamelas), during World War I. Lucia and her mother (Lucia Moniz) anxiously await news about a family member fighting overseas. The town is governed by a skeptical mayor (Goran Visnjic), who publicly announces the names of those killed or missing in action. The children encounter an angel (Ivone Fernandes-Jesus), who encourages them to pray for peace and prepares them for another visitation. While tending their sheep, they see a mysterious woman (Joana Ribeiro)—visible only to them—who appears monthly, instructing them to pray, refrain from disrespecting God, and sharing three secret messages about the future with Lucia alone. The children's experiences are framed by scenes featuring a non-believing professor (Harvey Keitel) interviewing an elderly Sister Lucia (Sonia Braga), now a nun who maintains her conviction regarding what she witnessed decades earlier. You don’t have to be Catholic to appreciate "Fatima." There are numerous parallels between the events in Portugal during World War I and contemporary society. The filmmakers present balanced portrayals of both religious believers and non-believers; for example, the mayor's wife is a devout woman. While the local priest (Joaquim de Almeida) expresses doubt, Lucia’s mother—who prays diligently to protect her son from being named in the town square announcements—remains skeptical of Lucia's claims. As news spreads about the sightings, crowds assemble and request healing, even damaging Lucia's father's (Marco D'Almeida) crops as an offering to "The Lady of the Rosary." The children grapple with their experiences as adults question their stories, but their faith compels them to return to the fields for further visions, ultimately leading to the Miracle of the Sun. Gil and Moniz deliver strong performances as Lucia and her mother. I felt the scenes involving Keitel and Braga could have been more impactful, as they seemed somewhat disconnected from the main narrative. The film was shot in Portugal with an international cast, but the English dialogue feels a bit unnatural at times. Gil and Moniz are involved in several emotionally charged domestic situations, although I appreciated that Visnjic’s character isn't depicted as an overtly malevolent atheist; he is simply following government directives while navigating local concerns alongside his wife. The film incorporates intense scenes with special effects to portray the children's visions, but avoids transforming it into a spectacle akin to a Marvel movie. I was moved when Ribeiro spoke, guiding the children toward bringing peace to the world. Considering how easily God was offended back then, I can only imagine the level of offense taken by today’s culture—a thought I probably don’t want to explore. Despite some awkward moments, "Fatima" proves to be a worthwhile film. Movies with faith-based and conservative themes are gaining popularity as audiences seek alternatives to mainstream Hollywood productions and popular culture. With social media and smartphones so pervasive, it's refreshing to disconnect and re-engage with the world.

Source on TMDB