'Bad Counselors' Director Chris Dowling Wants to Break the Mold for Faith Movies
Director Chris Dowling joins Crosswalk Talk's Michael Foust to discuss his new family comedy Bad Counselors, the story of two fraternity brothers who pose as Christian camp counselors while completing court-ordered community service. Dowling explains why he believes faith-based films need to embrace more authentic, character-driven storytelling, saying too many have earned a reputation for being "cringey and cheesy" and arguing that great movies should entertain first while naturally conveying a Christian worldview. He also shares how Bad Counselors balances big laughs with heartfelt themes of identity, redemption, and purpose without turning into a sermon. Along the way, Dowling discusses why Christian filmmakers shouldn't be afraid to "play on the edges," the challenge of making live-action family comedies, and why he believes the label "faith-based" is more of a marketing term than a genre.
This video originally appeared on GodTube.com
Photo Credit: ©GodTube / Chris Dowling
Originally published July 22, 2026.
