Angel Studios CCO Lays Out “Values-Based” Initiative Banning Sex, Nudity, F-Words & “Misuse Of God’s Name”: “Hollywood Lives In A Bubble”
Angel Studios has introduced “The Angel Promise”, content standards that ban on-screen sex, nudity, the F-word and what it calls the “misuse of God’s name”. The Christian production company says the initiative responds to audiences seeking films and television that align with their values, and includes expanded parental controls and a way for subscribers to influence what reaches its platform.
Co-founder and chief content officer Jeff Harmon said Hollywood had become disconnected from the values-based audience Angel aims to serve. The company also gives members of its Angel Guild a “veto right” over content; Harmon described the group as having about 3 million members. Founded in 2021, Angel Studios has released films including *Sound of Freedom*, *The King of Kings* and *Animal Farm*.
In short
- Angel Studios has introduced new content standards.
- The rules ban sex, nudity, the F-word and misuse of God’s name.
- Its 3 million-member Guild can influence platform choices.
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The case for
Supporters can argue that Angel Studios is responding to a real audience demand for entertainment that avoids content they find objectionable, and that clear standards and parental controls help families make informed choices. Giving Guild members influence over the platform may also be a legitimate way to reflect subscribers’ preferences and offer an alternative to what they see as an industry out of touch with them.
The case against
Critics can argue that broad bans on sex, nudity, profanity and perceived misuse of religious language may narrow artistic expression and exclude stories that address adult life or difficult subjects. Giving a large membership veto power over content may further encourage decisions based on popularity or a particular moral outlook, limiting the range of work available to audiences.
Explained simply
Angel Studios is a US film and television company founded in 2021 by a group of Christian entrepreneurs. It makes and distributes films and series, including Sound of Freedom and The King of Kings, for audiences looking for entertainment that reflects their values.
The company’s Angel Guild is a membership group that can influence which projects it releases, including through a veto process. Angel says the Guild has about three million members, giving them a role in decisions usually made by studio executives.
The new standards reflect a wider debate about how much control audiences should have over the content they watch, and how companies define material that may conflict with viewers’ beliefs. They also distinguish Angel’s approach from that of many mainstream film and television studios.
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