Speed Christian Review
There’s something magnetic about the thrill of an action movie that just works. The kind that hooks you right from the start, leaving no time to check your watch or wonder why you’re so invested in characters you barely know. Speed, directed by Jan De Bont, is exactly that kind of film—a pulse-pounding roller coaster that doesn’t stop until the credits roll. It’s all fireballs, bus chases, and high-stakes suspense.
But for Christian viewers, there’s more to unpack here than just explosions and stunts. Beneath the spectacle lies a world of moral questions, emotional tension, and subtle opportunities for reflection. Let’s take the scenic route through this 1994 classic and see how it stacks up—not just as a piece of entertainment, but as a story worth chewing on.
The Plot: Bare-Bones and Brilliant
At its heart, Speed is a movie built on a single, ingenious concept. There’s a bomb on a bus, and if the vehicle’s speed drops below 50 mph, it’ll explode. From that premise, the film catapults into action, with Keanu Reeves as Jack Traven, an LAPD cop who has to figure out how to keep the passengers alive while stopping the madman behind the chaos. Sandra Bullock plays Annie, a passenger-turned-unofficial-driver when things go south.
What makes Speed so effective is its simplicity. There are no complicated subplots or unnecessary diversions. It’s all about that bus and what happens on it. Yet, within that narrow framework, the movie creates an extraordinary amount of tension and excitement. Every second feels like it matters.
And isn’t there something biblical about that kind of urgency? In life, as in Speed, we don’t always know when the next turn will come, or when the stakes will suddenly feel impossibly high. Matthew 24:44 reminds us to “be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” While the film’s focus isn’t spiritual, its relentless pacing mirrors the fleeting nature of life—a truth Christians are called to consider often.
Fear and Control in a Chaotic World
One of the more fascinating elements of Speed is how it taps into a universal fear: being powerless in a dangerous situation. Boarding a bus, plane, or train means surrendering control to someone else. We don’t think about it much—until something goes wrong. The movie exploits that lurking anxiety brilliantly, thrusting its characters (and audience) into a nightmare scenario.
For Christians, this setup can be a reminder of where true security lies. Psalm 46:1 tells us that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Watching Jack and Annie scramble to save lives without any guarantees of success highlights the limits of human control. In contrast, faith offers the assurance that even when circumstances spiral, God remains sovereign.
The Action: Big, Bold, and Strangely Beautiful
If you’re watching Speed, you’re here for the action—and it delivers in spades. Director Jan De Bont, known for his work as a cinematographer on films like Die Hard, knows exactly how to craft a visually arresting spectacle. The stunts are ridiculous but exhilarating. A bus leaping over a missing section of highway? Totally implausible, but you don’t care. You’re too busy holding your breath.
And then there’s the way the film is shot. Andrzej Bartkowiak’s cinematography doesn’t just show the action; it amplifies it. The camera angles, the pacing of the edits, the way the bus feels like a character in its own right—it all works together to create something more than just mindless mayhem.
But here’s where a Christian lens might zoom in a little differently. As dazzling as the explosions and high-speed chases are, they’re fleeting. They excite in the moment, but they don’t necessarily feed the soul. That’s not to say we shouldn’t enjoy them—God created us with the capacity to appreciate beauty, even in adrenaline-fueled chaos. But Philippians 4:8 reminds us to focus on what’s true, noble, and pure. The question isn’t whether we can enjoy action movies, but whether we’re mindful of how they shape our thoughts and priorities.
Courage Under Fire: Heroes Worth Watching
What makes Speed more than just a popcorn flick is its characters. Jack Traven is the quintessential action hero—brave, resourceful, and willing to risk everything to save others. Annie, played with charm and grit by Sandra Bullock, starts out as an ordinary bystander but rises to the occasion when it matters most. Their dynamic is lighthearted but rooted in mutual respect, and their heroism feels genuine, not contrived.
As Christians, it’s hard not to appreciate the virtues on display here. Jack’s selflessness echoes the kind of sacrificial love we’re called to embody. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” While Jack’s heroics are fictional, they point to a real-world truth: courage and compassion are marks of godly character, even in the face of danger.
The Message (Or Lack Thereof)
Here’s the thing about Speed: it’s not trying to be deep. It’s an action movie, plain and simple. There are no profound spiritual themes or philosophical musings to unpack. And that’s okay—sometimes, a story can just be a story.
But for Christians, even “just a story” can spark reflection. What does it mean to place your trust in something—or someone? How do we respond when the world feels out of control? And what drives us to protect others, even at great personal cost?
These aren’t questions Speed sets out to answer, but they’re woven into the fabric of its narrative. And perhaps that’s the beauty of engaging with secular art as a believer. We can find glimpses of truth, even in unexpected places.
Final Reflections
So, where does that leave us? Speed is, above all else, a fun movie. It’s exciting, well-made, and surprisingly rewatchable. It doesn’t preach or pretend to be anything other than what it is—a high-octane thrill ride.
For Christians, it’s a reminder to enjoy art with discernment. There’s nothing wrong with sitting back and letting a movie like Speed take you on a wild ride. But it’s worth asking: What am I taking away from this? Am I being entertained thoughtfully, or just passively consuming?
In the end, Speed is a movie about momentum—both literal and metaphorical. It keeps moving, keeps pushing forward, never stopping to catch its breath. And maybe that’s the lesson we can draw from it. Life is a lot like that speeding bus, full of unexpected turns and challenges. But as believers, we know there’s someone in control, someone who holds the wheel even when the road feels impossibly perilous.
Rating: 7/10
A masterful action movie that does exactly what it sets out to do. It may not leave you pondering eternal truths, but it offers a few moments of reflection amidst the chaos—and plenty of fun along the way.
