Among all the hits this summer has seen, there is one in particular that has perplexed audiences and critics alike in its success. From faith-based company Angel Studios, Sound Of Freedom released on July 4th to enormous fanfare, beating out Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny and topping several other films of the summer.

Starring Jim Caviezel, the film is based on the true story of Tim Ballard, an agent for homeland security, who turns to vigilantism, in order to bring child traffickers to justice. As stated, the film was a massive success and even employed a new tactic in its marketing, called Pay it Forward, a process in which one could buy a ticket for someone else to redeem and use to see the film. But, with the success, comes a mound of controversy.

While the film itself takes no root in politics or any sort of leaning, many are criticizing the movie based on political leanings. Left-leaning audiences are claiming that the movie’s audience is being taken up by conservatives, saying it’s messages aligned with QAnon and racism. On the opposite side of the spectrum, right-leaning audience members are dismissing these critiques, simply brushing them off as thoughts of “pedophiles, satanists and other malicious parties,” according to Hollywood Reporter.

In actuality, this divide isn’t based in fact, so much as in fiction. Sam Rasmussen’s RMG Research recently put out a poll regarding the film, finding that 49% of American voters are aware of the film. Further breakdown of that 49% shows that 24% have read about it, 18% know someone who has seen it, and 7% have seen it for themselves. And, regardless of political view or leaning, 62% of those surveyed have a favorable view on Sound of Freedom. 

One major film studio, who kept their own identity anonymous, has done their own survey on the movie. “Overall, the online consumer response to Sound of Freedom has been less about the movie itself and more rooted in conspiracy theories and ongoing political/culture wars within the United States and the globe at large.”

Despite some stars of the film supporting QAnon, Angel Studios themselves have disputed that the film is a QAnon movie at all. “Anyone who has seen Sound of Freedom knows that it has nothing to do with conspiracy theories,” said Jared Geesey, Angel’s senior VP of global distribution.

Sound Of Freedom is now playing in theaters.