The Day Shall Come Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An eccentric preacher planning a revolution with help from dinosaurs accidentally gets caught in a wacky FBI plot to make him look like a terrorist, because finding real ones is too much work.

🍿 The Day Shall Come: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Synopsis: Hope in the Projects

Moses Al Shabaz is an impoverished preacher leading a small mission in the Miami projects. Along with his family and a handful of followers, known as Star of Six, he preaches a unique blend of liberation theology and African nationalism, aiming to bring hope and revolution to his community. Moses struggles to keep his mission afloat and prevent his family’s eviction.

The FBI’s “War on Terror” Strategy

Meanwhile, the FBI, driven by pressure to uncover potential terrorist threats, sets its sights on Moses’s group. Agent Kendra Glack and her superior, Agent Andy Mudd, decide it’s easier to manufacture a threat than find a real one. They initiate a complex ‘false flag’ operation to frame Moses as a terrorist.

An Offer Moses Can’t Refuse

An FBI informant approaches Moses, posing as a nefarious character offering cash and weapons to fund his ‘revolution.’ Desperate to save his family from eviction, Moses, despite his pacifist leanings and eccentric beliefs (like talking to animals and belief in dinosaurs), considers the offer. He attempts to navigate the situation, initially trying to ‘hustle’ the informant, but ultimately finds himself increasingly entangled in the FBI’s scheme.

Escalation and Entrapment

What starts as accepting guns escalates as the FBI continues to push Moses towards more serious actions. Moses, unaware he is being manipulated, even reports the informant as a threat to the FBI itself. The situation spins out of control as the FBI’s fabricated plot involves increasingly dangerous elements, including fake nuclear material, drawing in local law enforcement who are unaware of the FBI’s true involvement.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Moses (Marchánt Davis): An impoverished, eccentric preacher with unconventional beliefs who is targeted and entrapped by the FBI.
• Kendra Glack (Anna Kendrick): An ambitious FBI agent who actively creates a false terrorism case against Moses for her own career advancement.
• Andy Mudd (Denis O’Hare): Kendra’s determined FBI superior who prioritizes manufacturing a ‘next 9/11’ threat over actual intelligence.
• Venus (Danielle Brooks): Moses’s supportive yet grounded wife who is concerned for their family’s safety amidst his revolutionary dreams and the FBI’s actions.
• Farmer Afrika (Andrel McPherson): A dedicated follower of Moses who participates in his small, non-violent revolutionary group.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Moses: “May you live to see the accidental dominance of the white race overthrown.” – A revolutionary greeting or wish expressed by Moses to his followers.
• Terror Suspect: “I’m scared of fives. Five is evil.” – Said by a monitored individual who refuses to press a specific number key, revealing an unexpected phobia during a potential ‘terrorist’ action.
• Andy Mudd: “Did we know he was a pentaphobe?” – An exasperated reaction from the FBI chief upon hearing the terror suspect’s unusual fear during the sting operation.
• Andy Mudd: “The logic only works if you say it slowly. Keep the contradictory elements apart.” – Explaining complex and nonsensical bureaucratic logic to Kendra Glack regarding how to handle a declared emergency.
• Andy Mudd: “The next thing you know, the Statue of Liberty’s wearing a burqa and we’ve beheaded Sesame Street.” – Using a hyperbolic and absurd example to argue the perceived dangers of not aggressively pursuing potential terrorist threats.

💰Box Office

• Budget: Approximately $2 million
• Domestic Gross: $26,972
• Worldwide Gross: $552,033

💥 The Day Shall Come Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting another ‘Four Lions’ based on the director, but wow, this was different. It’s definitely a dark comedy, but it gets *really* dark by the end. I loved Marchánt Davis as Moses; he made the character both bizarre and heartbreakingly human. Anna Kendrick’s performance as the FBI agent was also great, walking that line between ambitious and questioning what they’re doing. The dialogue felt really sharp and funny in parts, classic Chris Morris absurdity layered over a serious issue. But then the seriousness hits you hard, and it’s not always comfortable. It made me think a lot about the real stories it was based on, which is powerful, but don’t expect non-stop laughs. It’s a tough watch at times, but a thought-provoking one for sure.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedy and political satire”
  • “Viewers interested in films about civil liberties and government overreach”
  • “Audiences who appreciate Chris Morris’s previous work (like ‘Four Lions’)”
  • “Those interested in films exploring themes of paranoia and injustice”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Dark themes related to FBI entrapment and the ‘War on Terror'”
  • “Depiction of government misconduct and absurdity”
  • “Strong language may be present (implied by satire genre and UK ’15’ rating)”
  • “Themes of poverty and mental instability”

Professional Reviews

• IndieFilm Weekly: “Chris Morris is back with a biting satire on the FBI’s ‘war on terror’ tactics. While not quite reaching the comedic highs of ‘Four Lions’, the film offers a disturbingly funny look at institutional paranoia and entrapment. Marchánt Davis delivers a compelling performance as the delusional yet strangely sympathetic Moses. It’s thought-provoking and unsettling, though its pacing occasionally feels uneven.
• Screen Digest: “This dark comedy tackles serious themes with Morris’s trademark absurdist lens. The performances, particularly from Davis and Danielle Brooks, are strong, anchoring the chaotic narrative. However, the humor doesn’t always land, and the shift in tone towards the end can be jarring. It’s a film with important things to say, but it struggles slightly with its execution, feeling less impactful than intended.
• The Cinema Observer: “Despite a promising premise and talented cast like Anna Kendrick, ‘The Day Shall Come’ feels like a misfire. The satire is heavy-handed, the plot feels directionless, and the attempts at humor often fall flat. It aims for biting commentary but gets lost in its own absurdity, failing to create characters or situations the audience can truly invest in. A disappointing effort from otherwise capable hands.

Audience Reactions

Many appreciated the film’s dark, thought-provoking satire on the FBI and War on Terror.: The acting, particularly Marchánt Davis and Danielle Brooks, received positive mentions, as did the sharp dialogue. Viewers found it brave for tackling sensitive subject matter and highlighting real-life issues of entrapment.

Some found the film’s tone confusing and the humor inconsistent.: Frequent comparisons to ‘Four Lions’ highlighted this film’s perceived shortcomings in consistent humor and plot coherence. Some viewers felt it was slow-paced or too absurd to be fully engaging, leading to disappointment for those expecting a pure comedy.

Overall Consensus: Audience opinion is divided. Many viewers appreciated the film’s dark satire and its commentary on real-world issues and government tactics, praising the performances. However, others found the humor hit-or-miss, the tone inconsistent, and felt it didn’t live up to the director’s previous work like ‘Four Lions’.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is inspired by real-life cases of FBI sting operations, particularly the Liberty City Seven and the Newburgh Sting, where individuals were convicted of terrorism-related charges after being encouraged or entrapped by informants.”
• “Director Christopher Morris spent several years researching cases of government entrapment in the US post-9/11, interviewing lawyers, FBI agents, and affected families.”
• “This film marks a reunion for director Christopher Morris and actor Kayvan Novak, who previously collaborated on the critically acclaimed terrorist satire ‘Four Lions’.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Day Shall Come?

To watch ‘The Day Shall Come’, check major streaming platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu for rental or purchase options. Availability may vary by region and subscription services. Look for it on these platforms for the most up-to-date viewing choices.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Day Shall Come, you might like these similar films:

• Four Lions (2010): Directed by Christopher Morris, this film is a dark comedy about inept jihadists in the UK, sharing the same satirical tone and focus on incompetence, albeit from the perspective of the ‘terrorists’.
• Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964): A classic dark political satire that highlights the absurdity and dangerous incompetence within government and military structures during a crisis.
• In the Loop (2009): Co-written by Jesse Armstrong (who also co-wrote The Day Shall Come), this British political satire similarly skewers bureaucratic incompetence and the absurdity of high-stakes political maneuvering.
• Sorry to Bother You (2018): A surreal and darkly comedic film offering sharp social commentary on race, capitalism, and systemic oppression through absurd and often uncomfortable situations.
• Brazil (1985): Terry Gilliam’s dystopian black comedy is a cult classic critique of bureaucratic inefficiency, surveillance, and the individual crushed by the system, appealing to fans of absurd and thought-provoking satire.

🛒 The Day Shall Come Related Products

• The Day Shall Come (Blu-ray or Digital): Own the film that sparked debate. Dive into Christopher Morris’s controversial dark comedy at home and explore the unsettling reality behind the satire.
• Four Lions (Blu-ray or Digital): From the same director, explore another critically acclaimed dark comedy about aspiring terrorists. Often compared to ‘The Day Shall Come’ for its satirical take on a sensitive subject.
• The Terror Factory: Inside the FBI’s Manufactured War on Terrorism (Book): Investigate the real-life cases of FBI sting operations that inspired ‘The Day Shall Come’. This book provides documented accounts of how informants are used to target individuals.
• Satirical Political Commentary: A Collection of Essays (Book): Explore the history and methods of using satire to critique political systems and power structures, similar to the approach taken in ‘The Day Shall Come’.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Day Shall Come features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Miami Sunrise (Opening Theme)” – performed by Original Score
• “Moses’ Sermon” – performed by Original Score ft. Marchánt Davis
• “Street Prophet Blues” – performed by Local Miami Artist (Fictional)
• “FBI Surveillance (Underscore)” – performed by Original Score
• “Venus’s Strength” – performed by Original Score
• “The Entrapment Tango” – performed by Original Score
• “Revolutionary Dreams” – performed by Original Score
• “The Day Shall Come (Closing Theme)” – performed by Original Score

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Book of Revelation Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1)

Curious about the Book of Revelation that the movie is based on? This animated summary is super helpful for understanding all the wild symbols and visions – it really made things click for me!

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