True Believer

Directed by: Kristen Cesario Irving Released: 2026 (educational) Year of Production: 2024 Running Time: 90 min Language: English Subtitle Options: English Closed Captions Subjects: Reproductive Justice, Women's Health, Religious Studies Born in 1981 just as the Religious Right's culture war crashed into visibility, a then evangelical filmmaker discovers the true origins of the pro-life movement. While disbelief initiates her investigation into a veiled history of white supremacy, betrayal forces a deeply personal examination of her own family and identity, neither of which can be disentangled from the other. As Roe is overturned and abortion bans become routine, TRUE BELIEVER is a call for reckoning for every American, but especially those within the religious subculture that threatens our very Democracy. Official Selection at the 2025 Cleveland International Film Festival Testimonials from prominent figures BRIAN MCLAREN is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian who is 2005 was voted one of Time Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America “It is not often that a true believer ... a devoted insider in a powerful religious or political group ... has the courage to leave a high-control group and tell their story. That's what we have in Kristen Cesario Irving’s new film by that name: an insider account, supported by a wide array of experts and informants that brings us along on her journey of discovery and departure from white, right-wing Evangelicalism. Her story is as relevant as tomorrow's news and the next election. True Believer will speak to multiple generations of people who have been born into this dysfunctional marriage between white Evangelicalism and authoritarian politics. As someone who made the break and has been speaking out on this subject for decades, I have confidence that this film could break through and show people a way out, especially younger Evangelicals who gag when their parents and pastors ask them to swallow con artists like Donald Trump.” Lyn Davis Lear is a film producer, celebrated environmentalist, and political activist. “TRUE BELIEVER presents a rare insight into the generations of American foot soldiers who have been trained as a Christian army that currently threatens our fraying democracy. Filmmaker Kristen Irving reveals the insidious history and agenda of the Christian right while simultaneously spotlighting the personal betrayal of inheriting, loving, and eventually losing one's politicized faith. TRUE BELIEVER is one of the most important films of our time. It is not only a tool for healing and reckoning within the white evangelical community, but it is also the answer to, 'How we got here, and what's at stake,' for those outside of it. As a former church girl and lifelong political activist, I know that this film will be a catalyst to change and restoration.” About the Filmmaker Kristen is a director, producer, and impact producer whose projects have participated at Tribeca, Sundance and TIFF. As the former Director of Social Action and Advocacy at Participant Media, she created social engagement campaigns for documentary and narrative films ranging from CONTAGION to A PLACE AT THE TABLE. She also Impact Produced for Oscar-nominated filmmakers Lee Hirsch (BULLY) and Lucy Walker (THE CRASH REEL). Kristen produced the award-winning short documentary LIFE AFTER MANSON, which premiered at Tribeca and had an excerpt released on the NY Times Op-Docs series. Kristen and TRUE BELIEVER have participated in the 2017 Investigative Reporting Workshop at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, the 2019 Camden / TFI Retreat Sponsored by CNN, and she is a 2019 Film Independent Documentary Lab Fellow. Previously, Kristen worked at the CAA (Creative Artists Agency) Foundation, and has held various roles in nonprofit organizations including group home, Hollygrove, XPRIZE Foundation, and the L.A. Kitchen (VP of Business Development and Marketing). Host a Screening and Book the Filmmaker at your Event