Three Colors: Red Christian Review
When a film takes you by the hand and quietly leads you into a deep pool of thought, long after you’ve stepped away from the screen, that’s when you know you’ve encountered something special. Krzysztof Kieslowski’s Three Colours: Red, the final chapter in his Three Colours trilogy, does exactly that, immersing you in a subtle, intricate weave of themes that leave you turning them over in your mind like pebbles on a beach. There’s something wonderfully human, yet undeniably transcendent, about Red—something that stirs the soul in ways both unexpected and deeply familiar.
I find myself coming back to this film again and again, not for its flash or excitement, but for the quiet resonance of its ideas. At its heart, Red speaks to the mysteries of human connection, chance, and fate. As a Christian viewer, it’s almost impossible not to feel the echo of divine providence pulsing through its narrative, even though Kieslowski never directly references it. But isn’t that often how we experience God in life? In the subtleties, the chance encounters, and the invisible threads that seem to tie us together in ways we rarely understand in the moment.
A Story Unfolding in Silence
On the surface, the story seems straightforward enough: Valentine, a young and somewhat idealistic model, lives her life in quiet routines, until one day she accidentally hits a dog with her car. This small act of chance sets in motion a series of events that lead her to meet Joseph, a retired judge whose life has been shaped by cynicism and a loss of faith in humanity. Their relationship, which grows in depth and complexity, is not romantic—at least not in the conventional sense—but it’s the sort of connection that quietly transforms both of them, like a stone dropping into still water, rippling out in unseen ways.
What struck me, watching Red through a Christian lens, was how much this film is about redemption. Not the kind that announces itself with grand gestures or dramatic conversions, but the quiet, almost imperceptible kind that takes place in the day-to-day encounters between people. Joseph, who at first seems cold and distant, is slowly drawn back to a sense of moral and emotional warmth through Valentine’s unwitting influence. She, in turn, is confronted with the complexities of human nature, learning that life is not always as black and white as it seems.
In many ways, Valentine becomes a Christ-like figure—unaware of the impact she’s having, yet bringing light into the shadowed corners of Joseph’s life. As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world, often without fully realizing the difference we make. Valentine’s quiet influence on Joseph reminded me that it’s often in the small, seemingly insignificant moments that God works His greatest miracles.
Fate, Chance, and God’s Sovereign Plan
One of the film’s central questions is whether life is governed by chance or by some larger, unseen hand. Kieslowski plays with the idea of fate throughout Red, weaving it into every interaction and encounter. Valentine’s chance meeting with Joseph seems random, but as their relationship unfolds, it becomes clear that something deeper is at play. The film leaves us wondering: Is it merely coincidence, or is there a purpose behind it all?
For Christians, this question touches on the core of our belief in God’s providence. Proverbs 16:9 tells us, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” We may think we are in control, but ultimately, it is God who guides our paths. As I watched Red, I couldn’t help but feel that Kieslowski was tapping into this truth, whether intentionally or not. The invisible threads connecting Valentine and Joseph, as well as the other characters in the trilogy, remind us that our lives are part of a larger story—one written by a divine author.
There’s a moment in the film where Joseph speaks of watching his neighbors’ lives unfold through his surveillance equipment, completely unbeknownst to them. He’s become a voyeur, disconnected from the world and people around him. And yet, through Valentine’s influence, he begins to re-engage, to see the value in human connection once again. In many ways, this reminded me of how God watches over us—not as a distant, disinterested observer, but as a loving Father who knows us intimately and desires to guide us, even when we are unaware of His presence.
Grace in the Mundane
What makes Three Colours: Red so powerful is its subtlety. Kieslowski doesn’t hit you over the head with its themes; rather, he allows them to quietly unfold, like a slow burn that lingers long after the film has ended. There is no grand moment of redemption for Joseph—no dramatic reconciliation with his past or sudden epiphany. Instead, his transformation is gradual, almost imperceptible. And yet, by the end of the film, you can feel the shift in him.
This kind of subtle redemption is deeply resonant with the Christian understanding of grace. God often works in the quiet, unremarkable moments of our lives, shaping us and molding us in ways we may not even realize until much later. Joseph’s journey is a reminder that grace is not always loud or obvious; sometimes, it’s a slow and steady process of being drawn back toward the light, one small step at a time.
The Beauty of Human Connection
Ultimately, Three Colours: Red is about connection—the ways in which our lives are intertwined, often without our knowledge. As Christians, we believe that we are all part of the Body of Christ, each of us playing a unique and vital role in the lives of those around us. Valentine and Joseph’s relationship, though unconventional, is a beautiful reminder of how we are called to love and serve one another, even when it’s difficult or inconvenient.
What I love about this film is how it challenges our modern, often shallow understanding of love. In a culture that tends to elevate romantic love above all else, Red offers a more nuanced view. Valentine and Joseph’s connection is not romantic, but it’s deeply intimate and transformative. It reminded me that love—true love—can take many forms, and that it’s often found in the most unexpected places.
Stepping Into the Mystery
As the credits rolled and I found myself reflecting on the film, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Three Colours: Red is an invitation to step into the mystery of life. It doesn’t offer easy answers or neatly tied-up conclusions. Instead, it invites us to sit with the questions—to wonder about the nature of fate, the purpose of our relationships, and the way God weaves our lives together in ways we may never fully understand.
For Christians, this film is a reminder that our lives are not random. Each encounter, each relationship, is part of a larger story that God is writing. We may not always see the full picture, but we can trust that He is at work, guiding us and connecting us in ways that serve His greater purpose.
A Cinematic Reflection on Grace and Providence
Three Colours: Red is more than just a film; it’s a meditation on life’s deepest mysteries. For those of us who look for the divine in the everyday, it’s a beautiful reminder that God is always present, even in the quiet, seemingly insignificant moments. It’s a film that lingers with you, stirring your soul and inviting you to see the world—and the people in it—with new eyes.
Rating: 9/10
A beautifully crafted exploration of fate, connection, and grace. Kieslowski’s Red is a subtle masterpiece that resonates deeply with Christian themes, offering much to ponder for those willing to engage with its quiet brilliance.
