Year: 2017
Runtime: 100 mins
Language: English
An atheist goes through a near-death experience in an auto accident before converting to Christianity.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Let There Be Light 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!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Let There Be Light (2017), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Dr. Sol Harkens is an outspoken atheist who engages in a heated debate with a Christian leader. After the argument, Sol attends a book party and, fueled by alcohol, tries to coax his girlfriend to join him for the night; she refuses. The setback leaves him feeling disappointed, and he stumbles home in a drunken haze. On the way, his publicist — Norm — phones in with plans to line up more lavish parties to boost his profile. Still intoxicated, Sol loses focus and veers off the road, crashing into a construction site.
He is suddenly enveloped by a carnival-like tunnel of light and hallucinates his young son, David, who died of cancer years earlier. The boy cheerfully insists that Sol is not broken and urges him to let God’s love fill him, crying out the phrase, > Let there be light! As Sol returns to consciousness, he learns he was clinically dead for four minutes. He awakens beside his Christian ex-wife, Katy Harkens, who confirms Sol’s vision of their son. A medical professional attributes the visions to adrenal brain surges caused by trauma, rather than miracles.
The crisis of science versus faith continues to haunt Sol. After Katy visits him at home, he seeks guidance from the church and speaks with Pastor Vinny, a former mob member. Hearing a resurrection story there sparks an awakening, and Sol is rebaptized as a believing Christian. With Katy’s ongoing support, he becomes determined to rebuild their family, planning to share life again with their two surviving sons, Gus Harkens and Connor Harkens. He proposes, and Katy accepts, but tragedy strikes when she discovers she has cancer that is no longer treatable.
News figure Sean Hannity hears about Sol’s tale and invites him onto his program, recognizing the story’s enduring resonance. Sol launches a global peace initiative called the “Let There Be Light” campaign, envisioning a world where people everywhere shine lights toward the night sky to symbolize unity. The campaign culminates in a moment visible from space as the lights unfold across the planet. Back at home, the newly reunited Harkens family enjoys a Christmas-time moment, singing together outside, only to be shattered when Katy dies in Sol’s arms.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:56
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.
Stories where profound tragedy sparks a redemptive, yet painful, spiritual awakening.If you were moved by the bittersweet spiritual journey in Let There Be Light, explore more movies like it. This collection features similar dramas about religious conversion born from loss, focusing on stories that balance heavy emotional themes with a message of redemption and hope.
The narrative typically begins with a shattering personal loss that dismantles a character's worldview. This crisis forces them to confront questions of faith and meaning, leading to a gradual conversion or spiritual re-engagement. The story culminates in a resolution that acknowledges the gain of faith while still honoring the weight of the original loss, resulting in a bittersweet conclusion.
These movies are grouped together because they share a specific emotional tone: they are deeply spiritual yet grounded in realistic human suffering. The pacing is steady and character-driven, focusing on the internal transformation that occurs when grief collides with the possibility of redemption.
Powerful stories where past wounds are mended through shared hardship and forgiveness.For viewers who appreciated the theme of healing family bonds in Let There Be Light, this list highlights other moving relationship stories. Discover movies like it that focus on overcoming past conflicts and finding unity through forgiveness, often in the face of terminal illness or other profound challenges.
The plot follows family members who are estranged due to past conflicts, differing beliefs, or grief. A catalyzing event—such as a terminal diagnosis or an accident—forces them back into each other's lives. The narrative unfolds as they navigate old wounds, leading to vulnerable conversations, acts of forgiveness, and a hard-won emotional reunion.
These films are connected by their central focus on mending broken family relationships. They share a heavy emotional weight and a steady, character-focused pacing that allows the reconciliation to feel earned. The tone often balances the pain of the past with the hopeful warmth of rebuilding connection.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Let There Be Light 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 Let There Be Light is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Let There Be Light with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Let There Be Light. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Let There Be Light 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.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Let There Be Light: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.