Redemption River, an independent Christian survival thriller from filmmakers Zac Hersh and James Rich, is arriving on Angel on October 15, 2026.
The film has already picked up eight festival awards across three festivals, including Best Feature, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.
What is Redemption River about?
Margo and Josh are grieving the loss of their child and struggling to keep their marriage together, where a rafting accident changes everything when they become stranded in the wilderness. They have to survive the environment around them while dealing with the grief, guilt and problems that were already pulling their relationship apart.
The film is described by its filmmakers as a faith-based survival thriller, with marriage, forgiveness and faith forming the centre of the story.
Who is in the Redemption River cast?
Emma Elle Roberts plays Margo, with Oscar Rudecindo as Josh.
The supporting cast includes Michael Bonnini as Spencer, Talia Novak as Olivia, Heather Land as Ruth, Brad Stine as Justin and Kevin Lawson as Daniel - the wider cast also includes Perris Marin, Aaron Pina, Andy Norris, Gene Mocsy, Christine Grantz Sheppard and others.
Roberts has previously appeared in Unplanned and Steal Your Heart, while Rudecindo has credits including Falling for Christmas, Mira Mira and Algea: God of Pain. Heather Land has appeared in Family Camp, and Brad Stine has appeared in Running the Bases.
Zac Hersh and James Rich directed and wrote the film, and both filmmakers also have producing roles on Redemption River, with Michael Villucci also credited as a producer. James Rich additionally served as editor.
Redemption River was filmed on the actual river
The filmmakers have actually come out and said that every rafting sequence was filmed practically on the American River, including the water stunts, and there were no green screens or studio tanks used for those scenes, which is cool!
Cinematography came from Joey Katches, while water cinematography was handled by Emmy-winning Scott and Dustin Lindgren, whose previous work includes The River Runner, while post-production was completed at Kappa Studios, which has also worked on Christian productions including The Chosen and His Only Son.
What awards has Redemption River won?
Before its Angel release, Redemption River had already received eight festival awards - at the Purpose Film & Media Festival in 2025, the film won Best Feature, Best Director for Hersh and Rich, Best Actor for Oscar Rudecindo and Best Actress for Emma Elle Roberts.
The International Christian Film & Music Festival awarded Roberts Best Lead Actress in 2025, and the film then picked up three more awards at the SacTown Film Festival in 2026, including Best Director for Hersh and Rich, Best Actress for Roberts and Best Supporting Actress for Heather Land.
Redemption River premieres on Angel on October 15, 2026 - Watch the official trailer on the films website.
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