‘Sound of Freedom’ Makes Controversial Impact and Surpasses $167M at the Box Office
Alejandro Monteverde must be feeling a mix of excitement and frustration as his sleeper hit film, ‘Sound of Freedom,’ continues to make waves in the industry. The independent crime thriller, co-written and directed by Monteverde, has exceeded all expectations, grossing over $167 million in domestic ticket sales since its release on July 4th. This impressive feat places the film on par with major franchise offerings like Disney’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ and the latest ‘Mission: Impossible’ installment.
However, the success of ‘Sound of Freedom’ has not come without controversy and unexpected marketing tactics. A significant portion of the film’s triumph can be attributed to Utah distributor Angel Studios, who employed a unique marketing strategy that relied heavily on word-of-mouth promotion. The passionate support from right-wing fans, including former President Donald Trump and Steve Bannon, also played a role in the film’s popularity.
The film centers around the gripping account of former Homeland Security agent Tim Ballard’s renegade mission to rescue children from sex traffickers. Based on his controversial story, ‘Sound of Freedom’ has become a polarizing movement, garnering support from those aligned with right-wing beliefs. Unfortunately, this also means that the film has attracted attention from actors like Jim Caviezel, who plays Ballard in the movie. Caviezel has expressed support for conspiracy theories fueled by QAnon, including baseless claims of a global pedophile ring involving prominent Democrats and Hollywood figures.
Monteverde admits to initially keeping his distance from politics and never expected his film to be labeled as faith-based. However, a meeting with Angel Studios CEO Neal Harmon and his brothers changed everything. The studio harnessed the power of crowdfunding to raise $5 million, targeting a faith-based audience. This strategy faced setbacks when one of the project’s funders was arrested for involvement in a child kidnapping. Nevertheless, Angel Studios persevered, capitalizing on provocative interviews, the crowdfunding campaign, and encouraging supporters to pay it forward by purchasing tickets for future viewers.
Despite the overwhelming success of ‘Sound of Freedom,’ Monteverde remains cautious about his film’s international release. Other Hollywood studios are observing the strategies employed by Angel Studios and its impact, prompting Monteverde to anticipate inquiries from international distributors. If a movie can generate close to $200 million domestically, it certainly piques the interest of distributors worldwide.
The unexpected journey of ‘Sound of Freedom’ serves as a lesson for the film industry. The director’s intentions were not originally aligned with a faith-based label, and the controversy surrounding its right-wing support has fueled both the film’s popularity and criticism. As the film prepares for its international debut, the eyes of the industry are keenly watching to see how Monteverde’s unique approach will fare overseas.
In a world where movies are increasingly formulaic and reliant on big budgets, ‘Sound of Freedom’ has proven that a sleeper hit can still emerge from the shadows and make a profound impact. While it may not have been a smooth ride for Monteverde and his team, their rollercoaster journey has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the film industry.
