Redeeming Love - What We Know So Far

Some projects made during COVID-19 just did not have it easy. In the case of the historical romance "Redeeming Love," filming finished long ago, but once the pandemic started, the plans for release were put on hold. Luckily for the cast, crew, and everyone excited to see this film, it is finally well on its way to the theaters. 

Based on the bestselling 1991 novel of the same name by author Francine Rivers, "Redeeming Love" is a love story set during the Gold Rush in California in the 1850s. Originally inspired by the Book of Hosea from the Bible, the film will share the same major themes as the old story, mainly the idea that God aims to provide redemption and love to sinners. A more modern take (at least compared to the ancient setting of the original Bible story), "Redeeming Love" portrays this message through a young woman named Angel's journey through terrible struggles to love. Abigail Cowen, who people might recognize from "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" and "Fate: The Winx Saga," will be playing the main character.

Here's everything we know so far about the upcoming romantic drama "Redeeming Love." 

"Redeeming Love" actually finished filming all the way back in March 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. The movie was planning for a Spring 2021 release date initially, but it looks like it got pushed back for one reason or another (The Wrap). This could've possibly been to wait for more theaters to open and operations to get back to normal to ensure a larger audience. Now, "Redeeming Love" is on schedule to come out in early 2022, although no specific date has been revealed yet. 

The film will be distributed by Universal Pictures under their banner (Variety). In response to the news of Universal Pictures's involvement, director D.J. Caruso stated, "Universal Pictures is a perfect home for our film. They have a rich history in enabling films to find their core audience and beyond." Hopefully in the next few months, Universal Pictures will release the official date and a full trailer for "Redeeming Love." 

Cowen is leading the cast as Angel, while Nina Dobrev will play her mother, Mae, who truly cares for her daughter but faces troubles in life that make it difficult for her to care for or stay with her. Opposite Cowen as the male lead is Tom Lewis. He will be playing Michael Hosea, a man who meets Angel after she suffers from intense hardships and helps her believe in love again. Logan Marshall-Green will play Paul, Michael's brother, while Jamie Lee O'Donnell plays Lucky, a sex worker Angel meets and befriends. 

In two other important roles, there's Eric Dane playing Duke, the first man to truly take advantage of and abuse Angel when she is young, while Famke Janssen plays a character known as Duchess. After Angel is able to escape Duke as an adult, she ends up working as a sex worker for Duchess, who takes advantage of her position and denies Angel her wages, while also treating her and other sex workers very poorly. 

The story of Angel and Michael in "Redeeming Love" is all about forgiveness and redemption. Angel has a very difficult upbringing, living off of almost nothing with her mother. When her mother passes away, Angel is left without a guardian. A man attempts to help, leaving her in the care of a rich man named Duke, but he turns out to be a murderer and pedophile who abuses her for years. As an adult, Angel is able to finally get away from him, but the cycle of abuse and hardships seems to continue on and on for the young woman. 

One day, Michael, a kind, unassuming man, crosses paths with Angel, and he knows almost instantly that they are meant to be together. Unfortunately for him, Angel has grown to be cynical, untrusting, and has little hope for the future, and so she doesn't respond well to Michael's kindness. But Michael is determined, and through a lot of effort, understanding, and straightforward love, he might just be able to win Angel's heart. 

As the director of "Redeeming Love" explained it, "Angel's journey reminds us that healing happens through love and acceptance, never through judgment or force" (The Wrap).