SOUL ON FIRE

(director: Sean McNamara; screenwriters: Gregory Poirier, based on the book “On Fire” by John O’Leary; cinematographer: Bob Hayes; editor: Gregory Hobson; music:
Mark Isham; cast: Joel Courtney (John O’Leary), John Corbett (Denny O’Leary), Stephanie Szostak (Susan O’Leary ), Masey McLain (Beth O’Leary), James McCracken (Young John), Amanda Pulcini (Deanna), Iyad Hajjaj (Dr. Ayvazian), DeVon Franklin (Nurse Roy, burn ward), William H. Macy (Jack Buck); Runtime: 112; MPAA Rating: PG; producers:J. Todd Harris, Margaret French Isaac, David Brookwell, Sean McNamara; A Sony Pictures Entertainment release; 2025)

“Through believing in God, we can find solace even from our worst troubles.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Sean McNamara (“Reagan”/”Race to Space”) directs this faith-based adaptation of the autobiography “On Fire” by the motivational speaker John O’Leary. He survived burns covering his entire body at age 9 (James McCracken), after experimenting with gasoline in his home garage. The inspirational film is earnestly and sentimentally written by Gregory Poirier.

Recovery for the St. Louis residing John comes about with support from the hospital workers, his great parents (John Corbett and Stephanie Szostak) and from the St. Louis Cardinal baseball Hall of Fame announcer Jack Buck (William H. Macy). John appreciates the help he received and vows he will never forget it and will always try to make the world a better place.
 
The story-line veers back and forth from the time of the accident in 1987 to 1998 when he was a college student (Joel Courtney) and got up enough nerve to begin a romance with Beth (Masey McLain), the girl he loved and married.

It’s a straight-forward story that shows us what made John become a motivational speaker. He wants us to know that through believing in God, we can find solace even from our worst troubles.

REVIEWED ON 2/13/2026  GRADE: B-
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