True Believer
- Directed by: Kristen Cesario Irving
- Released: 2026 (educational)
- Year of Production: 2024
Born in 1981 just as the Religious Right's culture war crashed into visibility, a
then evangelical filmmaker discovers the true origins of the pro-life movement. While
disbelief initiates her investigation into a veiled history of white supremacy, betrayal
forces a deeply personal examination of her own family and identity, neither of which
can be disentangled from the other. As Roe is overturned and abortion bans become
routine, TRUE BELIEVER is a call for reckoning for every American, but especially
those within the religious subculture that threatens our very Democracy.
Testimonials from prominent figures
BRIAN MCLAREN is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian who is 2005
was voted one of Time Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America
“It is not often that a true believer ... a devoted insider in a powerful religious or political
group ... has the courage to leave a high-control group and tell their story. That's what
we have in Kristen Cesario Irving’s new film by that name: an insider account,
supported by a wide array of experts and informants that brings us along on her journey
of discovery and departure from white, right-wing Evangelicalism. Her story is as
relevant as tomorrow's news and the next election. True Believer will speak to multiple
generations of people who have been born into this dysfunctional marriage between
white Evangelicalism and authoritarian politics. As someone who made the break and
has been speaking out on this subject for decades, I have confidence that this film could
break through and show people a way out, especially younger Evangelicals who gag
when their parents and pastors ask them to swallow con artists like Donald Trump.”
Lyn Davis Lear is a film producer, celebrated environmentalist, and political activist.
“TRUE BELIEVER presents a rare insight into the generations of American foot soldiers
who have been trained as a Christian army that currently threatens our fraying
democracy. Filmmaker Kristen Irving reveals the insidious history and agenda of the
Christian right while simultaneously spotlighting the personal betrayal of inheriting,
loving, and eventually losing one's politicized faith. TRUE BELIEVER is one of the most
important films of our time. It is not only a tool for healing and reckoning within the white
evangelical community, but it is also the answer to, 'How we got here, and what's at
stake,' for those outside of it. As a former church girl and lifelong political activist, I know
that this film will be a catalyst to change and restoration.”
About the Filmmaker
Kristen is a director, producer, and impact producer whose projects have participated at Tribeca, Sundance and TIFF. As the former Director of Social Action and Advocacy at Participant Media, she created social engagement campaigns for documentary and narrative films ranging from CONTAGION to A PLACE AT THE TABLE. She also Impact Produced for Oscar-nominated filmmakers Lee Hirsch (BULLY) and Lucy Walker (THE CRASH REEL). Kristen produced the award-winning short documentary LIFE AFTER MANSON, which premiered at Tribeca and had an excerpt released on the NY Times Op-Docs series. Kristen and TRUE BELIEVER have participated in the 2017 Investigative Reporting Workshop at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, the 2019 Camden / TFI Retreat Sponsored by CNN, and she is a 2019 Film Independent Documentary Lab Fellow. Previously, Kristen worked at the CAA (Creative Artists Agency) Foundation, and has held various roles in nonprofit organizations including group home, Hollygrove, XPRIZE Foundation, and the L.A. Kitchen (VP of Business Development and
Marketing).