The Wasteland Reviewer

Soul on Fire (2025) Written Review

Who is John O’Leary? You might not know the name or even his miraculous story…it is an inspiring one that could benefit anyone to hear. Whether you live your life based on faith or not, a tale like O’Leary’s is a powerful expression of the human drive and the fight inside our hearts. Sean McNamara is no stranger to such stories of inspiration as he previously crafted films such as Soul Surfer, The Miracle Season, and On a Wing and a Prayer. Faith is certainly a tenement of McNamara’s cinematic expression in his later efforts and that is certainly a foundation for O’Leary’s journey in Soul on Fire. A faithful blaze changes a young boy’s life forever and inspires many more. 

Does McNamara’s direction do justice to the harrowing story of O’Leary? McNamara’s presentation is quite specific and unfortunately, quite clunky at that. The overly bright and washed out feel of the film is not the most engaging and gives the film a cheap feel. The over-reliance on special effects throughout the film seems to be an odd choice especially when they are so subpar. There are shots at Busch Stadium in St. Louis and a whole crazy wintery car crash sequence that lose all their effect because they feel so distracting and off putting. The overall tone of the film swings from silly to overly melodramatic. This is quite a harrowing story, and it lacks the weight it should based on the clunky presentation. The visuals and music lean so specifically in this overly melodramatic tone that it might garner just as many eye-rolls as it does garner tears and warm feelings. Soul on Fire has an uphill battle against itself with the approach to its direction. 

Does the story speak for itself, at least? This is certainly a powerful story that is full of inspiration. The faith elements that McNamara and writer Gregory Poirier are effective even if they are bluntly presented. The dialogue in the film is not the strongest or the most interesting which gives the film generally a blunt and flat feel at times. Even the story structure is a bit clunky as there are times the film jumps around in the timeline of O’Leary’s life which noticeably doesn’t feel effective for telling the story. At close to two hours long, the film does drag a bit towards the end but is luckily kept afloat by some effective emotional beats that keep the audience invested. O’Leary’s story is quite powerful and there are some interesting layers to it including his unexpected connection for St. Louis Cardinals’ broadcasting legend, Jack Buck. This is not the most refined approach to telling the story but the impact of O’Leary strength, faith, and drive shines through. 

How does the cast elevate this powerful story? The core of the film lies on the shoulders of young James McCracken (who portrays the child aged O’Leary). His performance is effective and genuine, fitting well in the greater context of the film. Joel Courtney, who portrays O’Leary when he is older, delivers a much more inconsistent performance that has some ineffective moments and others that certainly hit. The special sauce, if you will, of the film is nabbing a talented character actor like William H. Macy to deliver some weight as Buck (a recurring player in O’Leary’s story). Another veteran presence helps as well with John Corbett who delivers a charming and effective turn as O’Leary’s father. The rest of the cast is quite inconsistent with some effectively lifting the experience (like Stephanie Szostak) while others are clunky and don’t handle the material as well. 

Is Soul on Fire a worthwhile retelling of this inspirational story? O’Leary’s story is inspiring and powerful, deserving the attention. McNamara has the heart in the right place. There are a few supporting players that give the film weight. But there are so many clunky elements in the execution of this film that it makes it hard to lock in and truly appreciate the story. There is enough here to let the story speak for itself, but this inconsistent film makes for a disappointing cinematic experience.