Many thanks to Angel Studios for providing a sample of the product for this review. My opinions are 100% my own.
What happens when we die? It’s the question we all ask ourselves at one time or another. A topic that is the focal point of the new documentary, After Death, from Angel Studios, the creators of Sound of Freedom, comes After Death, a film that explores the phenomenon known as near-death experiences, or NDEs—experiences that are said to take place either when a person is clinically dead or nearing death’s door.
Director Stephen Gray weaves together three distinct narratives- First-person accounts of multiple NDEs, dramatizations of those who have had experiences, or brushes with death, and commentary from physicians, clergy, and experts who’ve studied NDEs.
Stories include pilot Dale Black, who on July 18, 1969, in Burbank, California, as a small engine flight passenger crashed into a mausoleum. Describing the event as “I suddenly found myself above the crash site but unaware of what I was looking at or why. I was not in any pain; I was not in any fear or discomfort. I was just above the crash site.”
While physicians resuscitated Black he believes he began experiencing what life after death entails. Describing the event as “I can’t be dead because I’ve never felt more alive, free.”
Other stories depict Don Piper, author of 90 Minutes in Heaven, whose vehicle was hit head-on by a semi on a rainy bridge, believing himself to have been killed instantly, rending his body horrifically mangled.
Other mentions include Howard Storm, author of My Descent Into Death, who suffered a ruptured small intestine and found himself having sepsis and dying in a Paris hospital. Or Dr. Mary Neal, author of To Heaven and Back, having descended from a waterfall in Peru while kayaking, found herself trapped below water, for nearly 30 minutes, and clinically dying as a result.
Betwixt dramatic stories of death, resuscitation, and the hereafter, experts describe the commonalities in NDEs: a sense of floating above their bodies and seeing themselves; experiencing a higher power or divinity; a desire to stay in heaven; to find their body.
“I think the near-death Experience is where science meets religion,” says cardiologist and author of the 1982 book Recollections of Death, Dr. Michael Sabom. With thirty years of research that has challenged common and prolific skepticism regarding the claims about the ofter life. That “there is a big difference between proof and evidence. This is all evidence. But enough evidence at some point makes it so close to proof that most people would say it’s right. It’s real.”
Later, famed scientist, Dr. Sabom adds, “I don’t think we ever will have all the answers in the scientific realm. What is the human soul? Is there a human soul? Does it live after death? I don’t think science is gonna answer those questions. I think all of these near-death experiences suggest that it’s possible.”
After Death spends the majority of its run time exploring, dramatizing, and exploring the transcendent nature of NDEs as Christians, speaking specifically about meeting Christ, deceased loved ones, and the momentary reset of heaven. Thoughts that were quite overwhelming to the average human being. Stories are often accompanied by spectacular visuals, interesting educational perspectives, and the truest essence of change-human hope.
In all, the film frames near-death experiences in a broadly Christian way. With director Stephen Gray stating that, “I hope [After Death] causes people to stop and think. [I hope] it’ll cause people to pause and consider eternity.” A perspective found in other documentaries. Linked to having a relationship with Jesus Christ and comingling our own cultural humanistic beliefs in the hereafter. Describes an overall universalistic stance that regardless of cultural and religious perspectives, death comes for us all, and it’s our own experiences, our own beliefs in God, his heavenly love, and light, that make the difference.
In all, After Death, delivers a provocative look at the subject of near-death experiences. However, the theological caveats may not be an experience shared by every family. Including those, like myself, who have yet to come to terms with the three NDEs I, too, have endured. Overall, this film is well worth viewing this season in theatres and at home, starting today, 10/27. Or purchase tickets for others and pay it forward, here.
Moreover, the good people at Momentum are offering two tickets to a lucky Theladyprefers2save.com reader to see After Death in theatres, now. To enter, comment on this post letting me know why you want to see the film. Please note: This is limited to US winners only; your tickets with be delivered by email directly from Mometumn Publishers.
Friends, have you experienced an NDE or know those who have? Are you wanting to see After Death? Leave your thoughts below.
1 Comment
Looking forward to seeing this, thank you for letting us know about such a great film.