Honk for Jesus. Save your soul. is a hilarious but impressive mockumentary that follows a thoughtless pastor and his contradictory but obedient wife who are reeling from the man’s shameful sex scandal. Of course, that’s a common theme these days, especially in megachurches, so those religious themes seem like a very easy target for lazy satire. Instead, the unusual combination of spectacular comedy and thought-provoking drama with social commentary is anything but lazy Honk for Jesus.
Written, directed and produced by Adamma Ebo in collaboration with her twin brother Adanne, the feature film serves as an adaptation of their 2018 short film of the same name. Stronger than its acclaimed predecessor, Honk for Jesus manages to discuss dark and triggering content without trivializing or trivializing the consequences of uncontrolled hypocrisy and abusers.
Inside the comic world of Honk For Jesus
From the point of view of an unnamed off-screen director, Honk for Jesus documents each partner’s understanding of the scandal, how they try to deal with the realities of the pastor’s decisions ahead of the grand reopening of their megachurch, and their response to a rival pastoral couple starting their own megachurch. The vicar’s clear condemnation is neither spoken nor merely ingrained in the comedy; rather, it is explored from different perspectives. The willful ignorance of Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (an incredible Sterling K. Brown) and his wife Trinitee (an equally stunning Regina Hall) is adorned with smiles, awkward laughter, and silly moments that function for multiple reasons.
Take, for example, the scene depicting the Wednesday service. The nearly empty crowd is a funny moment in itself. However, the sheer nonsense that is the baptism scene would really make anyone fall out of their chair laughing. The scene perfectly captures the reverend’s selfish nature, from the way he shows off his body to the repeated dipping during the actual baptism, which they try to get right on camera.
The icing on the cake is a line from a young girl who attends. “I love theatre,” she says enthusiastically. The Wednesday service and the pastor’s supposed redemption arc are perfectly summed up in that one word “theatre.” The urge to convince their audience that everything is fine is what exactly dooms the couple in the film’s final scenes. Any “generous” or “sincere” action by Lee-Curtis and Trinitee is nothing unless they are adorned with spectacle. While the scenes themselves are laughable, they also highlight the hollowness of the couple’s charitable giving. If the camera crews are not there and Honk for Jesus shifts to real life, the sadness and emptiness of these people is palpable.
The history of the mockumentary
Increasing in popularity in the 1980s, mockumentaries have captivated an international audience. Protagonists consistently breaking the fourth wall coupled with the comedic timing of the characters are some of the many reasons why mockumentaries made a lasting impact on the silver screen before successfully transitioning to the small screen. Mockumentary tv shows like The office, parks and recreation, and the recent Abbot Elementary School have enjoyed massive acclaim and stunning success following the mockumentary format. As a result, the shows in question have garnered loyal fans and have been cemented as landmark television series.
Aside from delivering iconic and hilarious scenes, the programs generally deal with ubiquitous issues that plague many people at home and abroad. Parks and recreation is a comical commentary on the rampant and unchecked flaws present in bureaucracies. Likewise, Abbot Elementary School comments on the pervasive inequities in the American education system and their impact on inner-city students, teachers, and families. Honk for Jesus uses the format for a similar purpose – a critique of hypocrisy and commentary on the entanglement of religion with capitalism.
Trinitee Tales: The Meaning of Honk to Jesus. Save your soul.
Honk for Jesus. Save your soul. is not only hilarious, but also a poignant commentary on the hypocrisy of religious institutions regarding sexual abuse and sexuality itself. The main character is a seemingly charismatic megachurch minister, but is actually a predator, uncontrollable even to himself, who ultimately benefits from his association with the church. Conversely, his victims are subjected to blatant victim accusations and homophobic rebuttals, while Pastor Childs has only his less-than-stellar comeback to speak for his actions.
It is in the final moments of the film that the funniest yet most terrifying scenes take place. The iconic stare-down between Trinitee and the Black Jesus doll makes no sense at first glance. She is completely exhausted and furious after coddling her husband throughout the movie. While she does express those emotions in the film’s climax, Trinitee keeps her frustration for the doll and the doll alone, staring at it as if she’s been waiting to pounce on it throughout the film.
The scene offers countless interpretations. Trinitee’s struggle with religion and the shroud of domesticity thrust upon her is a recurring issue throughout the film. Religion as a whole has received criticism for various misogynistic practices, and in Honk for Jesus. Save your soul. Trinitee’s concerns are consistently ignored, and she is often induced to believe that the reopening of the megachurch will be successful and thus make her happy. It is this scene in which she finally comes to terms with the pastor’s object of affection. The film is as much an exploration of Trinitee’s desperation as it is a satirical look at Lee-Curtis’ life after the allegations came out.
Church, temptation and the black Jesus
In addition, as the object of the pastor’s affection, the Black Jesus doll is amusing at first glance, but highlights a secret hidden in plain sight. Lee-Curtis’s sexuality itself isn’t the real secret, but rather his true intentions. From an outsider looking in, the choice looks like a display of celebration, commemorating the unique bond between Black American identity and Christianity.
Nevertheless, we know that the doll also represents Lee-Curtis’ perfect partner. The doll resembles its victims, one in particular. At this realization, Trinitee directs her anger at the figurine in front of her. It represents the church and temptation, two attributes that Lee-Curtis would rather spend all his energy on at the expense of his marriage.
Honk for Jesus. Save your soul. is a comedy that doesn’t do the heavy lifting for the audience. The messages are ubiquitous, but are not forcibly passed on to the viewers. The ludicrousness of the film’s writing not only provides audiences with exemplary comedy, but also captures the ludicrous nature of the pastor’s actions and how the community around the couple soothes him, a story all too common in religious communities around the world.