Thy Will Be Done (2025) - Unexpectedly Powerful

From its first frame, Thy Will Be Done stakes its claim as a standout in the indie thriller realm. Jazz Securo’s ambitious directorial debut doesn’t just flirt with tension and faith — it marries them, weaving together spiritual dread, psychological suspense, and moral ambiguity into something unexpectedly powerful.

Story & Tone

At its core, Thy Will Be Done follows Detective Stefani Bennett (played with resolve by Callie Bussell), a cop (detective?) endowed with flashes of clairvoyance, as she investigates a pattern of “accidental” deaths. In her search for truth, she turns to Father Arland Anthony (Director Jazz Securo), her family’s spiritual anchor — but the deeper she digs, the more she suspects the divine itself.

The film maintains a steady, deliberate pace, allowing its dread to accumulate rather than forcing jump scares. The atmosphere is thick with quiet, ominous tension, and moments of calmness often feel like the eye of the storm rather than relief. This is a film that trusts silence, shadows, and unanswered questions to do much of the heavy lifting.

Performances

Callie Bussell anchors the film with emotional authenticity. Her Stefani isn’t some invincible supernatural detective; she’s vulnerable, haunted, and conflicted, which makes her journey all the more compelling.

Jazz Securo, wearing multiple hats as director, actor, and producer, is surprisingly magnetic on screen. His Father Anthony is enigmatic — equal parts mentor, enigma, and possible architect of a darker plan. He gives the role layers which is often absent from indie films.

The supporting cast also makes memorable contributions. Doug Bradley (yes, that Doug Bradley) delivers a surprisingly nuanced turn (far from his horror-icon past). Courtney Gains grounds several of the story’s more surreal undercurrents. Pro wrestling legend Kurt Angle plays a small part that gave me a big smile. I saw him name in the credits and I’d completely forgotten about him by the time he popped up.

Cinematography & Sound

The cinematography leverages low light, tight framing, and clever negative space to keep you on edge. Shots often play with symmetry and silhouette, prompting you to look twice at what you think you see. The film’s visual style feels both gritty and elegant — a gritty realism tempered with theatrical flourishes.

The score / sound design does subtle work — it never yells, but it whispers. The film relies more on silence, minor dissonances, and lingering tonal notes than full-blown orchestral cues. This restraint helps preserve tension and keeps the viewer lean forward rather than lean back.

Strengths & (Minor) Rough Edges

Strengths

A bold genre hybrid: Thy Will Be Done doesn’t simply combine faith and thriller tropes; it interrogates them.
A tenor of moral uncertainty: The film forces you to question who is right, who is wrong, and whether the two always map neatly onto good and evil.
A twist that recontextualizes: Without spoiling, the final act reframes key relationships and motives in a way that rewards rethinking what you’ve seen so far.
Character over spectacle: The film wisely leans into the human core — character dynamics, doubt, guilt — rather than over-relying on effects or grand set pieces.

Rough Edges

There are a few pacing lulls, especially in mid-sections where momentum slips as the film lingers a bit too long on exposition or connective tissue.
Some supporting characters feel under defined; a tighter edit might have sharpened their arcs or given them more breathing room.
The film’s ambition occasionally outpaces its means: there are moments where what the story demands (in twists or revelations) stretches plausibility just a touch too far.

These flaws, however, feel less like missteps and more like the inevitable trade-offs of a passionate indie production. They don’t derail the movie’s momentum or undermine its emotional core.

From My Notes

I take notes when I’m watching a film for review purposes. Here’s a few (that won’t give away any spoilers).

My very first note: “This does NOT look or sound like an ‘indie movie’ – wow.”
Hot cop (Maria? Layla Cushman) has harsh words for the deceased… she’s next?
Stefani visits for lunch and spells it out – she knows. And he knows that she knows.
1:19:52 – KURT FUCKING ANGLE – I saw his name in the credits and totally forgot about him.
Very ‘Spider man’ / ‘Batman’ esque choice

Thy Will Be Done (2025) – Final Thoughts

Thy Will Be Done is a rare beast: a faith-tinged thriller that doesn’t preach, but probes; one that doesn’t settle for black-and-white morality but savors the grayscale. Jazz Securo and his cast deliver something bold, unsettling, and thought provoking. Flawed? Yes. But in the best possible way — by acknowledging the messiness of belief, guilt, justice, and redemption.

For fans of atmospheric, slow-burn mysteries, Thy Will Be Done is a must-see. It’s proof that even in indie film, ambition, heart, and nerve can still collide.