What is Sound of Freedom – Movie Review
Sound of Freedom doesn’t have superpowers, but it has heroes.
It doesn’t have sequel-inhabiting red and black demons haunting the big screen, but it depicts evil-real evil.
The Story
“Better a millstone be hung around your neck, and you be cast into the sea than you should ever hurt one of these little ones.”
Based on the real life rescues of Tim Ballard, the film follows Tim (played by Jim Caviezel), as he quits his job, catching pedos for Homeland Security, to actually rescue the sister of little Miguel (Lucás Ávila). His wife, Katherine (Mira Sorvino), stands behind him, eventually considering Rocío (Cristal Aparicio) her own daughter.
This takes Tim from the US/Mexico border, to Cartajena to a Colombian jungle that not even the military will enter.
Tim’s quiet faith in God takes him further than most would dare to go; his faith is not portrayed in lines spoken in the movie-this isn’t a movie to proselytize-it is shown in his actions, and his love of the children he fights for.
Miguel and his sister, Rocío, were kidnapped by a woman named Katy-Gisselle (Yessica Borroto Perryman), specifically to traffic in the sex trade.
She gains the father, Roberto’s (José Zúñiga), trust, pretending to be a talent scout. He leaves his children with her in the city. There’s a room full of children “auditioning”, and she is insistent that he not be late to pick them up-it seems safe.
But it isn’t.
Roberto comes back to an abandoned and dark room.
Undercover
Tim has to go undercover, again, pretending to be the scum of the earth himself-with a little help from former Cartel member Vampiro (Bill Camp) that now buys children-then frees them.
The Movie Gets Real
There is actual footage of children being kidnapped, CCTV captured videos of innocent children, snatched sometimes from the arms of their sleeping mothers as the film opens.
Be Angry
There are no explicit scenes with the children, of course, who would want that, anyway?
The implication is enough, trust me.
But when Giselle unbuttons the children’s top buttons, and puts lipstick on little Rosio for a photo shoot, my stomach did a turn.
There are other scenes, and doctor’s reports, but don’t be turned away by this. You NEED to be angry. Here’s why:
“God’s Children are not For Sale”
More people are slaves today; more than at any other time in history. Even when slavery was legal.
Millions of children are sold into slavery.
This isn’t some right wing conspiracy, or urban legend. It is real.
Again, be angry. Be rightfully and righteously angry that this heinous crime exists and that living, breathing, innocent children are quickly becoming the number one trafficked “commodity,” outstripping weapons, and fast-tracked to take over drugs.
If you are from the US, be angry that the United States is the #1 country that children are shipped to, to be sexually exploited.
We were told, starting in 2020, to wear a mask to save sickly aunt Ethel. If just one life is saved, we were told, it would all be worth it.
What are these innocent children’s lives worth?
How can you help?
Call your country’s representatives, donate, spread awareness, or buy items to support Tim Ballard’s foundation, and women that have been rescued. Resources for all of these can be found on Tim Ballards website.
You can even buy tickets for others who may not be able to afford a ticket, using this QR code:
Getting Real Again
The movie ends with footage of the actual rescue depicted in the movie.
It happened, it was not made up, and there is proof.
And with that proof, hope.
The Child Actors
The two main child actors are incredible. Lucas and Cristal are genuine, and represent the real children taken every day. That’s a heavy weight for such young actors, but they manage it well.
When I mentioned heroes at the beginning of this film, I didn’t just mean Tim; I meant every child these actors are portraying; I meant the actors portraying them.
I hope they are recognized with special awards.
The Sound of Freedom
In the movie, rescued children are clapping out a song. Vampiro calls it the sound of freedom.
But you can also become a part of that sweet sound by being their voice.
We have to be their voice. If we aren’t, our silence will be heard, too. And by ears we don’t want listening.
Sound of Freedom is currently in theaters only.
To find a theater near you, visit
