Soul On Fire Is Trending On Netflix, And As A St. Louis Native, I Have Thoughts

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I’d been hearing about the movie Soul on Fire for months. As someone from St. Louis, it’s been a big topic of conversation here, since it really captures the spirit of the city. I wasn’t able to see it in theaters when it had a limited run last year, but I finally watched it on Netflix. And as a local, I have to say, the filmmakers did a fantastic job of portraying St. Louis authentically.

Celebrating The Best Of St. Louis, And The Cardinals, Of Course

This film is based on the incredible true story of John O’Leary, portrayed by Joel Courtney, known from The Kissing Booth. Remarkably, O’Leary is about the same age as me. As a child, he was severely burned in a house fire, suffering burns over his entire body. Doctors didn’t expect him to survive, but he not only lived but went on to build a successful life as a business owner and inspirational speaker.

O’Leary is a massive Cardinals fan, just like most people in St. Louis, and the team plays a big role in the movie. William H. Macy even portrays Jack Buck, the iconic announcer who many of us, including O’Leary and myself, grew up listening to. The film includes scenes filmed at the current Busch Stadium, and a digitally recreated version of the old stadium, which is where I spent my childhood attending games. But the connection to St. Louis runs much deeper than just baseball.

They Do A Great Job Showing Off The City

St. Louis has a complicated image in the US, and it’s understandable why. The city has faced challenges over the years, and some of its reputation for being dangerous is deserved. However, it’s also a fantastic place to live and raise a family, and the film Soul on Fire does a great job of showcasing that positive side. The filmmakers clearly understood and respected St. Louis, which is evident in how accurately and thoughtfully the city is portrayed.

The film features several recognizable locations, including scenes filmed at the Missouri Athletic Club and St. Louis University. Fans will also enjoy spotting Saratoga Lanes, a famous bowling alley in Maplewood, and nearby Tiffany’s Diner, both of which appear in the movie. Perhaps the most clever location choice is Humphrey’s Bar. Knowing the director was a student at SLU in the 90s, Humphrey’s feels like the perfect spot for that particular scene – it’s where he likely spent time as a student.

The filmmakers shot in many recognizable St. Louis locations, including the Old Courthouse, Mercy Hospital (where O’Leary’s character recovered), and The Shrine of St. Louis Catholic Church, where the real O’Leary was married. What I particularly appreciated was the meticulous detail – for example, the license plates on the cars accurately reflected the time period of each scene. The film jumps between four different eras – 1987, the late 90s, the late 2000s, and the late 2010s – and the license plates change accordingly. It’s those kinds of thoughtful touches, especially when I’m familiar with the subject matter, that I really enjoy.

It’s A Fun Movie, And Very Inspirational

The movie is enjoyable and O’Leary’s life story is truly inspiring, but it’s based on faith, which isn’t usually my preference. It’s not overly religious or preachy, and I liked that subtlety. Given that O’Leary is a devout Catholic, the film feels authentic to his experiences, and that’s really all you can ask for in a biographical movie.

The actors are all excellent, particularly John Corbett as John’s father, Dennis O’Leary, and Macy as Buck. Stéphanie Szostak, known from A Million Little Things, plays John’s mother, Susan, and Masey McLain, who I hadn’t seen before, is wonderful as John’s girlfriend and eventual wife. Sean McNamara directed Soul on Fire, and he’s also known for directing Reagan (2024), which featured Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan.

This film feels a bit like a TV movie, and it definitely wasn’t made with a huge budget. However, the filmmakers did a fantastic job considering their resources. It has a good story at its heart, and if you’re in the mood for something heartwarming and enjoyable, it’s worth checking out. I especially appreciated how well the film captured the spirit of St. Louis – or at least, a part of it.

St. Louis Hasn’t Always Been Portrayed Well In Movies And On TV

Around the late 2000s, several films were shot in St. Louis, including the popular Up in the Air starring George Clooney and Anna Kendrick, and Meet Bill with Aaron Eckhart, Jessica Alba, and Elizabeth Banks. However, these movies didn’t really showcase what makes St. Louis special. The stories could have taken place in any city, and while I personally enjoy both films, St. Louis simply served as a generic American location.

Recently, several TV shows have been set in or around St. Louis, including Superstore, Sharp Objects, and Ozark (though Ozark wasn’t actually filmed here). A new show called DTF St. Louis is coming out, starring Jason Bateman from Ozark. However, despite being set in St. Louis, none of these shows were filmed in the city. That’s what makes Soul on Fire so special – it’s not just about St. Louis, it was actually filmed here, and the filmmakers really captured the spirit of the city, which I greatly appreciate.

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2026-01-16 21:14