A Little Prayer
A man tries to protect his daughter-in-law when he finds out that his son is having an affair. (R, 91 min.)
Showtimes
Friday, August 29, 2025
(TBD)
Bill (David Strathairn) is a pillar of his Southern community: a business owner, a veteran, and the proud patriarch of an unruly but loving family. His daughter Patti (Anna Camp) has returned home after the collapse of her marriage, while his son David (Will Pullen) struggles to stay afloat. He has brought David into the family business, but harbors doubts about his discipline and commitment. Bill gravitates towards Tammy (Jane Levy), his daughter-in-law and the only other person in his rambunctious household who values contemplation and repose. When Bill begins to suspect that David may be straying from his marital vows with a coworker (Dascha Polanco), the father must confront the perplexing inscrutability of his son’s choices and their consequences for the rest of the family. A heart-tugging drama about finding kindred spirits in unexpected places, A Little Prayer is a sensitive and searching portrait of an American family from writer-director Angus MacLachlan. [Music Box Films]
Starring: David Strathairn, Jane Levy, Will Pullen, Celia Weston, Dascha Polanco, Anna Camp
Director: Angus MacLachlan
Genre: Drama
"Deeply touching."
— Daniel Joyaux, The Ringer
"Veteran actor David Strathairn delivers what might be the defining performance of his career with A Little Prayer."
— Cory Woodroof, Nashville Scene
"There is much to enjoy in watching MacLachlan’s A Little Prayer play out, and an equal amount of wisdom to be gleaned from it."
— Fionnuala Halligan, Screen International
"While not the loudest and most showy of films, A Little Prayer is a surprisingly quiet narrative that’s instilled with dramatic force."
— Wilson Kwong, Film Inquiry
"Once again returning to poignant, deeply-rooted, familiar themes tied to family, the assured filmmaker delivers a story thick with character, grace and humanity."
— Courtney Howard, Fresh Fiction
"This little miracle of a film features a strong ensemble cast, mordant Southern humor, and sharp insights into the perils and comforts of loving with your whole heart."
— Marya E. Gates, The Playlist
"MacLachlan’s writing style is at once honest and slightly elevated, the kind we’re used to hearing on stage, where the structure of the entire script matters, and subtext is every bit as important as what’s spoken."
— Peter Debruge, Variety
"Laid out in scenes of everyday verisimilitude and quietly gathering heartache, MacLachalan weaves a tale of human frailty and strained connection rare in its avoidance of histrionics and its embrace of what makes us unknowable yet worthy of forgiveness."
— Robert Abele, TheWrap
"The movie belongs to Straithairn, whose mild demeanor and weary wisdom gently extends the tradition of older actors––from Henry Fonda in On Golden Pond to Brian Dennehy in Driveways––coming to terms with their patriarchal responsibilities and regrets."
— Jake Kring-Schreifels, The Film Stage
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