Trending Now - Faith-fueled Audiences Embrace Humor in New Franklin Film

WHO:

Deadline - The film "A Great Awakening" features characters Benjamin Franklin, played by John Paul Sneed, and George Whitefield, played by Jonathan Blair.

Alternet - The film is associated with Christian nationalists, including informal Trump adviser Steve Bannon and theocrat David Barton.

WHAT:

Deadline - "A Great Awakening" earned $2.1 million at the domestic box office, ranking no. 6, and was shown on 1,298 screens.

Alternet - The film is described as a "bad faith film" and a "Trojan horse of Christian nationalist propaganda."

WHERE:

Deadline - The film is set in Pennsylvania, where much of the story involving Franklin takes place.

WHEN:

Deadline - "A Great Awakening" was released in 2026, coinciding with America's 250th anniversary.

Alternet - The controversial account referenced in the film was written almost 40 years after the events it describes.

WHY:

Alternet - The film claims that George Whitefield inspired Benjamin Franklin to support human equality, although this narrative is disputed by historians.

HOW:

Alternet - The film's narrative is based on a controversial account by William Steele, which has been criticized for its lack of verification and reliance on second-hand recollections.

(UPDATED April 5, 2026 21:05 UTC)

The film "A Great Awakening," featuring John Paul Sneed as Benjamin Franklin and Jonathan Blair as George Whitefield, has made waves since its release in 2026, coinciding with America's 250th anniversary, earning $2.1 million at the domestic box office and ranking sixth while being shown on 1,298 screens. Associated with Christian nationalists like Steve Bannon and David Barton, the film has been described as a "bad faith film" and a "Trojan horse of Christian nationalist propaganda," with its narrative claiming that Whitefield inspired Franklin to support human equality, a point disputed by historians. Set in Pennsylvania, the film draws on a controversial account by William Steele, written nearly 40 years after the events it depicts, which has faced criticism for its lack of verification and reliance on second-hand recollections.