“Last Days” is a 2025 American biographical drama film about John Allen Chau, a Christian missionary who was likely killed while attempting to evangelize the self-isolated Sentinelese people. This true story garnered international attention, with some people of faith praising Chau’s commitment while others criticized his actions as foolish, given the choices that likely cost him his life. Directed by Justin Lin, the film features a screenplay by Ben Ripley, adapted from the Outside magazine article “The Last Days of John Allen Chau” by Alex Perry. It stars Sky Yang, Radhika Apte, Ken Leung, Toby Wallace, and Naveen Andrews. Although the film has received mixed reviews, it raised many questions of faith for me.
Sky Yang portrays John Chau effectively, showcasing his journey from college graduation to his pursuit of medical school and his calling as a missionary to those on the fringes of society. Chau’s focus was the Sentinelese, an intentionally self-isolated tribe living on North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean, who had no prior contact with the outside world. Many visitors to the island had been killed, yet Chau and his friends often joked about who would reach Heaven first.
While the movie shines in cinematography, acting, and production quality, it has some storytelling lapses, often jumping back and forth with flashbacks that don’t always mesh well. We see a deeply devoted side of Chau, focused on his faith and desire to share the message of Jesus, alongside what some perceive as weaknesses, particularly his longing for companionship with a woman. Despite these struggles, he strives to maintain his faith.
The film beautifully captures Chau’s efforts to distance himself from social media, reflecting his deep commitment to his faith while being aware that authorities, who largely oppose missionary efforts, might not support him. Notably, apart from one sympathetic female police officer, the authorities show little concern for Chau’s disappearance until the U.S. Embassy intervenes. Prior to this, Chau had traveled to various locations worldwide while attempting to clean up his social media presence.
I appreciated how the film portrays family dynamics, particularly the pressure Chau faced from his father, who wanted him to pursue a career in medicine. Despite their disagreements, the love and support from his family are evident.
Chau is depicted as a flawed yet compassionate individual who genuinely loves his faith and feels compelled to share it with others. This portrayal may contribute to some of the negative reviews. While not strictly a “Christian” film, it respectfully represents faith in a real way. The lingering question I had when I first learned about Chau’s story remains: Was he foolish for practicing his faith? He knew the risks from a previous visit, yet just days later, he returned, seemingly aware of the danger to his life.
For me, the film prompts a vital question: How far should we go in living out our faith? After watching and reflecting on the movie, I find myself appreciating Chau for his commitment to his beliefs, even though it led to tragic consequences.
We can approach this story from various perspectives, assessing Chau’s dedication in different lights. The direction and writing encourage us to think critically about how seriously we take our faith and whether we are willing to act on it, understanding that in a world that may reject us, it could cost us everything.
Although this movie is far from perfect, it is undeniably thought-provoking. For that reason, I would rate it a respectable 7 out of 10.
