Independent films live or die on passion, and Thy Will Be Done wears that passion in every frame. Jazz Securo’s directorial debut is a brooding, atmospheric thriller that mixes faith, morality, and murder into a surprisingly cohesive and gripping story. What begins as a standard police procedural quickly evolves into something darker and more spiritual, a meditation on justice, guilt, and the fragility of belief.
The film follows Detective Stefani Bennett (Callie Bussell), an inner-city investigator blessed or cursed with flashes of clairvoyance. When a string of supposed accidental deaths begins to feel too neat to ignore, Stefani turns to her lifelong spiritual mentor, Father Arland Anthony (Jazz Securo), for guidance. What unfolds is a tense cat-and-mouse game between belief and betrayal as Stefani discovers that her trusted priest may be orchestrating a divine crusade of his own.
Securo’s direction is confident and deliberate. The film’s intro, a mix of art and live action, immediately sets the tone, layering grit with stylistic flair. It’s an ambitious opening that adds texture to what could have been a routine start, and it signals that this is not your typical low-budget indie. Visually, the cinematography (by Greg Kraus) leans into shadow and symmetry, often evoking Seven and Silence of the Lambs, which fits perfectly with the story’s moral undercurrent.
While some performances vary in strength, Callie Bussell eventually finds her rhythm, grounding Stefani with a weary, introspective edge. Doug Bradley, best known as Pinhead from Hellraiser, is a revelation here. Given real emotional range, he delivers one of his best performances in years. Courtney Gaines is perfectly cast, while Kurt Angle’s brief cameo adds unexpected charm rather than distraction.
And then there’s Jazz Securo himself. Acting, directing, and producing is no easy feat, but Securo proves himself up to the challenge. Despite modesty about his own range, he commands the screen whenever he appears. It’s rare to see a filmmaker balance the creative and performative sides so fluidly, and his presence gives the film an added pulse.
The film’s pacing is lean and purposeful, its score haunting without overstatement. The tension builds quietly but insistently, and the final act delivers a twist that genuinely surprises. It’s not just shock value; it recontextualizes the moral struggle at the film’s heart.
Like any independent feature, Thy Will Be Done has rough edges, a few uneven scenes, moments that could have used a tighter edit, and supporting roles that might have benefited from more screen time. But none of that diminishes its impact. This is a film made with intention, artistry, and conviction.
Securo and his team have crafted something rare: a faith-infused thriller that respects both the genre and the audience’s intelligence. It’s not afraid to ask uncomfortable questions or to linger on the gray space between sin and salvation.
As an actor, director, or producer, this is the kind of work to be proud of.
Verdict: A gripping, well-executed debut that blends faith, fear, and fatalism with surprising finesse. Thy Will Be Done isn’t just a good indie film; it’s proof that independent cinema can still deliver thrills, depth, and craft in equal measure.
Jessie Hobson