Don Verdean

Don Verdean

Year: 2015

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: Jared Hess

AdventureDramaComedy

A zealous biblical archaeologist, Don Verdean, sets out on a quest to validate the teachings of Jesus. Traveling with his loyal assistant Carol in a mobile workshop, they seek and sell ancient artifacts. Their mission gains unexpected support from a wealthy preacher, but soon escalates into a conflict between competing religious groups. Don must then confront the complexities of faith and reassess his priorities amidst the escalating rivalry.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Don Verdean yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Don Verdean (2015)

Trace every key event in Don Verdean (2015) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Don Verdean's Boastful Claims

The film opens with Don Verdean passionately presenting his dubious archaeological findings to a crowded church. He showcases items such as iron shears, which he claims were used to cut Samson's hair, attempting to assert his expertise and garner respect.

Church
2

Israeli Antiquities Authority's Rebuttal

As Verdean revels in his moment of triumph, his claims are abruptly challenged by a letter read aloud from the Israeli Antiquities Authority. The letter condemns Verdean's methods and questions his lack of solid evidence, casting doubt on his credibility.

Church
3

Verdean's Defense

In typical fashion, Verdean dismissively attributes the criticism to Satan's schemes and the efforts of the Israelis to suppress the truth. He attempts to turn the tide in his favor by showcasing a photograph with Nahum Ishalom, the article's author, which garners applause from the congregation.

Church
4

Carol Jensen's Encounter

After the event, Carol Jensen is approached by a mysterious individual who hands her a card for Tony Lazarus. This encounter hints at a deeper narrative involving Lazarus's transformation and sets the stage for Verdean's involvement in their ministry.

Church
5

Lazarus's Struggles

Verdean visits Tony Lazarus, who shares his struggles with declining church attendance due to a rival congregation led by a former Satanist. This conversation reveals Lazarus's vulnerability and sets up Verdean's plan to help him revive interest in his ministry.

Lazarus's Ministry
6

The Search for Lot's Wife Statue

Upon learning of Lazarus's desire for a salt statue of Lot's wife, Verdean decides to assist him. He contacts Boaz in Israel, convincing him to locate the statue and ship it back to the U.S., believing it will rejuvenate Lazarus's church attendance.

Israel
7

The Shocking Delivery

When the package finally arrives, the churchgoers are left astonished by the figurine, which resembles an inappropriate anatomical feature rather than the revered statue expected. Verdean attempts to mitigate the situation by humorously theorizing about its nature, capturing some intrigue.

Church
8

Tensions Rise

As the congregation grapples with the shocking delivery, Verdean faces pressure from both Lazarus for more artifacts and from Pastor Fontaine for carbon dating the statue. The rising tensions reveal cracks in Verdean's personal and professional life, especially regarding discussions about Carol's imprisoned son.

Church
9

The Search for Goliath's Skull

Amidst growing expectations, Lazarus pushes Verdean to procure Goliath's skull, prompting an adventure to Israel. However, their excavation efforts are stymied when authorities demand permits, hindering their plans and escalating the stakes.

Israel
10

The Plan to Steal Jonny Jerusalem's Remains

Faced with mounting pressure, Verdean concocts a daring plot to steal the remains of Jonny Jerusalem, a deceased individual with gigantism, to pass off as Goliath's skull. This risky endeavor highlights Verdean's descent into desperation and moral ambiguity.

Israel
11

The Confrontation

Upon completing their dubious excavation, Verdean and his team are confronted by a passerby, leading to their exposure. This moment marks a critical turning point in their scheme and heightens the tension as the authorities close in.

Israel
12

Planning the Scam

Back at their hotel, Verdean faces Boaz in a tense confrontation where their scam is laid bare. They plot an audacious scheme to defraud a Chinese billionaire, echoing the depths of their deception and desperation.

Hotel
13

Legal Troubles and Betrayal

As Verdean's plans unravel, a tracking device reveals their location to the authorities, leading to a swarm of legal troubles. Amid chaos, Verdean confesses to Carol, revealing the weight of his duplicity and the collapsing façade.

Unknown
14

Arrest and Reflection

The narrative culminates in Verdean's arrest, marking the end of his dubious adventures. As he grapples with the consequences of his actions, he shares a poignant moment with a familiar face in prison, hinting at the possibility of redemption.

Prison
15

News Report on Pastor Fontaine

Two months later, a news report investigates allegations against Pastor Fontaine, linking the unfolding scandal back to Verdean’s activities. This serves as a sobering reminder of the fallout from their unscrupulous actions and the ongoing impact on their lives.

Media

Last Updated: November 19, 2024 at 12:36

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Satirical comedies about quests gone wrong like Don Verdean

Well-intentioned missions spiral into farce, challenging ideals with humor.If you enjoyed the humorous misadventures in Don Verdean, you'll like these movies featuring protagonists whose zealous pursuits lead to comedic chaos. These films blend satire with lighthearted drama, offering similar stories about ambitious plans collapsing into farce, movies like Don Verdean that explore serious topics with a deft comedic touch.

satiricalquirkyfarcicaldeceptivelightheartedambitiousmorally ambiguous

Narrative Summary

This thread typically follows a protagonist with a single-minded, often noble-seeming goal. Their ambition or zeal leads them to cut corners, tell white lies, or engage in full-blown deceptions, which inevitably snowball into an uncontrollable and highly comedic situation. The narrative arc is one of escalating absurdity, forcing the character to confront the gap between their ideals and their actions.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared satirical tone and narrative structure of a quest spiraling into farce. They maintain a light emotional weight and medium intensity, using comedy as a lens to examine themes of fanaticism, fraud, and idealism, creating a cohesive experience of humorous moral exploration.

Comedies about humorous fraud and moral dilemmas like Don Verdean

Characters faking it for a cause, leading to humorous moral dilemmas.For viewers who liked the blend of fraud and faith in Don Verdean, this section features movies about characters navigating comic deceptions. Discover similar stories of moral compromise played for laughs, films like Don Verdean where questionable methods clash with good intentions, offering a lighthearted take on serious themes.

deceptivefraudulentlightheartedquirkymoral dilemmaredemptivesatirical

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist who starts a fraudulent scheme, often to support a belief system or gain validation. Their initial success leads to greater risks and more elaborate deceptions, creating a steady build of comedic tension. The story culminates in exposure and a moment of reckoning, often leaving room for ambiguous redemption rather than stark punishment.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects movies through their central theme of comedic fraud and the lighthearted exploration of moral compromise. They share a steady pacing, straightforward complexity, and an ambiguous ending feel, prioritizing humorous observation over heavy judgment, which creates a uniquely entertaining vibe.

Unlock the Full Story of Don Verdean

Don't stop at just watching — explore Don Verdean in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Don Verdean is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Don Verdean Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Don Verdean, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Don Verdean Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Don Verdean

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Don Verdean. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Don Verdean

Don Verdean Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Don Verdean that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Don Verdean Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Don Verdean

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Don Verdean: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Don Verdean

Similar Movies to Don Verdean

Discover movies like Don Verdean that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.