Makers of Sound of Freedom Debunk the Film’s Association with QAnon Theories

The director of Sound of Freedom, Alejandro Monteverde, along with co-writer Rod Barr, addresses the controversies around their film in an article in THR.

This Sound of Freedom released in the US on July 4th, also known as Independence Day. The film quickly emerged as a standout among the year’s independent releases, even outshining big Hollywood projects like Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning – Part One and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in terms of profitability.

Nonetheless, the buzz around the movie wasn’t without its share of complications. Actor Jim Caviezel and Tim Ballard from Operation Underground Railroad found themselves at the center of online debates, with allegations of ties to QAnon conspiracy theories resurfacing, casting a shadow over the film’s success.

Monteverde and Barr have taken a bold step to address the controversies regarding Sound of Freedom in an article the duo wrote for The Hollywood Reporter. In their candid piece, the duo explains that their only purpose behind making the film was to throw light upon the grim realities of child trafficking.

The filmmakers confidently mention that the script was conceptualized in 2015, and shot in 2018, which is long before the advent of QAnon theories. They go on to stress that their narrative aspirations have always remained steadfastly apolitical, free from any inclination to wade into the realm of politics.

Here’s a short excerpt from the aforementioned article:

The movie has also been unjustly associated with certain extreme conspiracy theories. We wrote the movie in 2015 and shot it in 2018, well before anyone involved had ever heard of such theories. It is therefore literally impossible for the movie to reference these theories, and anyone who has seen the movie knows it does not. In fact, NPR, Rolling Stone and just about every other media outlet that has written about the movie, either positively or negatively, has made it clear in their stories that Sound of Freedom itself doesn’t contain any references to conspiracy theories. We took our inspiration from actual events, many of which were reported by major media outlets at the time.

Prior to the release of Sound of Freedom, Caviezel had unabashedly aligned himself with the tenets of the QAnon conspiracy theories, a stance he vocalized during a 2021 conference appearance. During this discourse, he echoed certain aspects of the theories, including the contentious notion of “adrenochroming” children.

Interestingly, Tim Ballard, the real-life figure central to the film’s narrative, showed a similar sort of engagement of QAnon elements. While simultaneously distancing Operation Underground Railroad from the movement, he voiced certain ideas affiliated with QAnon.

Although the film’s production took place before the popularization of these theories, Caviezel’s connection to the movement cast a lingering cloud of controversy over its initial trailer release on the internet.

Sound of Freedom has garnered immense support from prominent figures belonging to the far-right spectrum. Among these proponents are notable names such as Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, Steve Bannon, and the former President, Donald Trump himself.

One such instance of support was when Trump organized an exclusive screening of the film at his Bedminster Golf Club, The screening was attended by both Caviezel and Ballard.

Moreover, Eduardo Verástegui, another member of the cast, is recognized for his alignment with right-wing ideologies. He’s an active advocate against abortion in the United States, a stance that only adds to the accusations and assumptions about the film’s political stance. This controversial mix of people associated with the film contributes to the accusations made about the film, despite Monteverde’s insistence on the film’s apolitical nature.

In recent times, the film faced criticism due to corporate booking or astroturfing. In the closing credits, Caviezel requests the audience to sponsor tickets for those who lack the means to buy them. This led to numerous sold-out screenings throughout the United States, although theaters often recorded low attendance in reality.

This tactic could be a factor contributing to Sound of Freedom’s financial triumph, surpassing certain blockbuster releases. Consequently, the movie finds itself in a web of multiple controversies, regardless of Monteverde’s intentions.

About Sound of Freedom

Sound of Freedom is a 2023 American action film directed and co-written by Alejandro Monteverde, and starring Jim Caviezel, Mira Sorvino and Bill Camp. Caviezel plays Tim Ballard, a former U.S. government agent who embarks on a mission to rescue children from sex traffickers in Colombia. It is produced by Eduardo Verástegui, who also plays a role in the film. The plot centers around Ballard’s Operation Underground Railroad, an anti-sex trafficking organization.

The film was released on July 4, 2023, by Angel Studios, and became a sleeper hit; it has grossed $174 million against a $14.5 million budget. It received mixed reviews from critics, while audience reception has been highly positive.