Followers of Alan Ritchson punching and capturing unhealthy guys as Jack Reacher may not initially be occupied with watching him in a transferring faith-based drama based mostly on a real story. However not solely is “Peculiar Angels” at present dominating the Netflix charts, however the position of struggling widower Ed Schmitt may also be Alan Ritchson’s finest non-“Reacher” position.
The actor shot to superstardom by enjoying the titular ex-military police officer in “Reacher,” which has now been working for 3 seasons on Prime Video. Since then, Ritchson’s profession has continued to blossom, with roles in “Quick X” and the 2026 Netflix sci-fi motion film “Warfare Machine.” However regardless of incomes nice evaluations, his 2024 drama “Peculiar Angels” stays a considerably neglected entry within the Ritchson oeuvre. That is a disgrace as a result of it not solely showcases the actor’s vary, nevertheless it’s really fairly good.
The genesis of this movie apparently begins with musician Dave Matthews, however do not let that put you off. Matthews introduced the real-life story to producer Jon Berg, who set about bringing it to fruition. Director Jon Gunn, whose filmography is nearly completely Christian films, was drafted in to appreciate a script from Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig. The consequence was a movie that allowed Ritchson to embrace his extra delicate facet reverse Hilary Swank in one in every of her finest trendy roles. Now the film has arrived on Netflix, and subscribers are loving it.
Peculiar Angels is a strong drama price watching on Netflix
As /Movie’s Joshua Meyer identified in 2018, the issue with faith-based films is that almost all of them aren’t superb. However “Peculiar Angels” works completely effectively as an easy drama. Set in 1994 Louisville, Kentucky, it facilities on hairdresser and alcoholic Sharon Stevens (Hilary Swank). When Sharon learns of an area five-year-old lady, Michelle Schmit (Emily Mitchell), who misplaced her mom, she attends the funeral and meets Michelle, her older sister Ashley (Skywalker Hughes), and the ladies’ father, Ed Schmitt (Alan Ritchson), who’s struggling to carry issues collectively for the household. Seems Michelle can be in want of a liver transplant, and Sharon makes it her mission to assist the household as a lot as she will, discovering renewed goal within the course of.
The movie grossed $20.5 million on an estimated funds of $13 million, which does not precisely make it a business triumph. Nevertheless it additionally has an 84% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes based mostly on 102 evaluations. As Catherine Bray of The Guardian wrote in her optimistic evaluate, “Taken by itself phrases as an old style character drama and showcase for Ritchson as a dramatic actor (he is genuinely actually good), it does the job it got down to do.”
With that in thoughts it is not stunning the movie is faring so effectively on Netflix, although this is similar streaming platform that when allowed Kevin Hart’s “Elevate” to high the charts again. As per FlixPatrol, “Peculiar Angels” debuted at primary on the USA film charts the day after it hit the service on July 21, 2026. So, if this one handed you by otherwise you dismissed it as a result of entire “faith-based” factor, now’s the time to provide it a go.
