‘The Angel and the Bad Man’ proves that anyone can choose to change

By Evan Allred

What makes someone a bad man? Is it his heart, his actions or his intentions? And is anyone too far gone to change? Many people across history can be described as bad men, but what if they had changed? What even makes someone decide to change their whole nature?

“The Angel and the Bad Man” explores all of these questions, portraying the life of crime and mercy that follows Quirt Evans (Zachary Levi). A violent cowboy who deserves nothing more than to be locked away for his crimes has an opportunity to change when a sweet farming family shows him the love of God and helps him in his time of need.

“The Angel and the Bad Man” (2026) is a remake of the 1947 movie starring John Wayne. The remake follows the same story as the original, allowing younger viewers to see this heartwarming and encouraging western. Zachary Levi stepping into the shoes of John Wayne is certainly a captivating choice of acting, and he truly lives up to the task to do a fantastic job.

This movie shows the slow change of a hard-hearted cowboy, Quirt Evans, due to the loving kindness of the Worth family, especially the older daughter, Penny (Meg Fraser). Penny seems to care a lot for Quirt, even though he openly questions many of the choices she makes based on her faith. 

There is no man in the family unless you count eleven-year-old Johnny Worth (Barrett Ellis Luca). This is important as it is clear from the introduction of the family that the family needs a man in the family and Penny needs to be married. Penny shows little interest in marriage and little interest in men at all –  that is until Quirt shows up. Quirt, while seemingly unruly and unpredictable, quickly convinces the audience that he can be that man.

There is a strong emphasis throughout the movie on Christian values. The Worth family is very religious and focuses their lives upon God and the love of Christ. They are a praying family who focus on praying for people to change, rather for their circumstances to change. 

This is highlighted when the family is done wrong by their neighbors and instead of doing anything about it or wishing ill upon their neighbor, the family prays for him to change. Their prayer is answered by the helpful hand of Quirt Evans. 

There is a quote towards the beginning of the movie that really sets the theme for the whole film. Penny works very hard to force a wild stallion to plough the farm, and it constantly refuses to listen to her, despite her efforts. A man approaches her in her barn and says, “horses that’s born wild normally stay wild, it’s their nature.” This obviously alludes to Quirt Evans, a wild stallion of a man, yet through the events of the movie, both Quirt and the stallion break this barrier of expectation. 

The theme of change speaks to the idea of redemption in both the eyes of man and the eyes of God. In the film, Quirt completely changes the opinions of the Worth family about himself and his character, while also changing his own opinion of God. At the start of the film, he is a cowboy that puts all his faith in his trusty revolver. By the end, he attended church, received a Bible and even prayed while shortly in prison. Anyone can change and anyone can be redeemed in the eyes of God through repentance and faith.

This film contains all that any western movie should hold – cowboys, romance and gunfire. “The Angel and the Bad Man” proves that anyone can change, even those who seem to be wild stallions. Overall, this is among the best movies I have ever watched in theaters, and although I have never seen the original 1947 film, I think that this remake has done a great job of depicting classic old western movies. I rate this movie very highly and would recommend anyone to go see this inspiring story.

“The Angel and the Bad Man” is currently playing in theaters

Evan Allred is a fourth-year MDiv and writer for Cedars in the Arts & Entertainment department. If he was directing a movie, Zachary Levi would be among the first of the selected cast.

Images courtesy of Monumental Studios