Ordinary Angels: how to watch, reviews and everything we know about the movie

Hilary Swank in Ordinary Angels
Hilary Swank in Ordinary Angels (Image credit: Lionsgate)

Get the Kleenex ready, because Ordinary Angels is the latest movie that is going to try and make you cry with its retelling of an inspirational true story. It is coming from a producing team that has plenty of experience doing that, with Wonder and American Underdog among their list of credits, as well as experience with faith-inspired movies that can be box office sleepers, like Jesus Revolution.

Here is everything that you need to know about Ordinary Angels.

How to watch Ordinary Angels

Ordinary Angels is still playing in select movie theaters, check out Fandango to see where. The movie is also available for at-home viewing in the US through digital on-demand platforms.

Ordinary Angels plot

Writing the script for Ordinary Angels is Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret) and Meg Tilly, in what is the Chucky actresses' feature writing debut.

Here is the official synopsis of the movie:

"Based on a remarkable true story, Ordinary Angels centers on Sharon, a fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed, a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters. With his youngest daughter waiting for a liver transplant, Sharon sets her mind to helping the family and will move mountains to do it. What unfolds is the inspiring tale of faith, everyday miracles and ordinary angels."

Ordinary Angels cast

Alan Ritchson and Emily Mitchell in Ordinary Angels

Alan Ritchson and Emily Mitchell in Ordinary Angels (Image credit: Lionsgate)

Hilary Swank headlines the movie as Sharon. Swank is a two-time Oscar-winning actress for Boy's Don't Cry and Million Dollar Baby, whose credits also include Logan Lucky, The Hunt and the TV series Alaska Daily. It is the second 2023 movie that Swank is starring in after The Good Mother.

The role of Ed in Ordinary Angels is being played by Reacher star Alan Ritchson. In addition to starring in the Prime Video original series, Ritchson has starred in a number of major action movies, including Fast X and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, as well as TV series like Smallville, Blue Mountain State and Titans.

Other members of the cast include Nancy Travis (Last Man Standing), Tamala Jones (9-1-1: Lone Star), Drew Powell (Gotham), Amy Acker (Person of Interest), Skywalker Hughes (Joe Pickett) and Emily Mitchell (Women Talking).

Ordinary Angels trailer 

Do your best to not get emotional watching the Ordinary Angels trailer: 

Ordinary Angels reviews

Ordinary Angels is officially "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes.

Ordinary Angels director

Behind the camera for Ordinary Angels is Jon Gunn. Gunn is more known for his writing and producing credits — most notable I Still Believe, American Underdog and Jesus Revolution — but he has a number of directing credits to his name as well. Here is a breakdown of his movies: 

  • Mercy Streets (2000)
  • My Date with Drew (2004)
  • Like Dandelion Dust (2009)
  • Do You Believe? (2015)
  • The Week (2015)
  • The Case for Christ (2017)

Ordinary Angels poster

Ordinary Angels (Image credit: Lionsgate)
Michael Balderston

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.