Austin is your average, stereotypical, popular jock. He’s got everything: the rich, beautiful girlfriend, a doting mother who makes the world’s best fudge, and a football career on the rise. He’s well-known, well-liked, and seemingly unstoppable. However, an estrangement with his high school football coach leads Austin to an entirely new school, where he’s away from home and his comfort zone. As Austin adjusts to his new life, he finds himself surrounded by an unusual group of new friends. The Warriors for Christ youth group takes Austin under its wings, and as he grows in his faith, suddenly football is not the most important thing in the universe anymore. Austin begins to change for the better, helping in his community, developing a swoon-worthy teen romance with church-goer Jessie, and dealing with losses from his past.

Shake Off the World is essentially a story about a young man who thinks his life is all about football, but through somewhat creative circumstances, it becomes all about the Lord. You can’t ask much more from a film. It’s positive, shows teens serving God counter-culturally, displays integrity and delicately walks the line between sparkly Christian film and impactful teen movie. It’s refreshing to see a film like this that doesn’t rely on the main character’s life derailing, or some tragic event in order to produce a salvation scene. Austin simply develops his faith organically through fellowship with other Christians. This is a film young people need to see so they know they are not alone in their faith and that they can make a difference in their community for the better (and have fun while doing it). I think it’s the perfect watch for youth group or family movie night and merits the Dove-Approved Seal for All Ages.

The Dove Take:

A young man pursues football and notoriety but discovers a meaningful relationship with Christ and his community in this faith-based teen movie.