Kate Bradley is a fearless reporter for Channel 12 News, and she’s always on the lookout for her next big story. Kate’s main beat? Anything involving dramatic destruction. So she’s less than thrilled when she receives a much nicer assignment.
This story takes Kate all over New York City, as multiple people call in about a random, mysterious man dropping $100,000 dollars at their front doors. A man who quickly earns the biblical name of Good Samaritan. Or, just Good Sam.
Kate’s skeptical. She wants to know who this Good Sam really is. After all, people don’t just do good deeds for nothing in return. Especially good deeds as big as the ones that are being reported.
But what if it’s true? What if Good Sam really is someone who looks out for others, seeking nothing in return?
The anonymous Good Samaritan in this film does, as you’ve probably guessed, a lot of good. Students receive scholarships, doctors get money for research, needy neighbors are given brand new cars, ill mothers receive proper care and food banks are funded. But the Good Samaritan isn’t the only one being generous. And as these folks receive Good Sam’s help, they’re inspired to help other needy and poor people throughout New York City.
All of that has a positive effect on Kate, who’s been emotionally hardened by her job. Pursuing this story begins to melt her icy cynicism and propels her toward optimism as she sees citizens helping one another. A contagious generosity spreads from home to home as people are filled with hope and realize the importance of kindness, generosity and selfless acts.
Kate’s father gives a speech saying that though it’s easy to be cynical and fearful, neither cynicism nor fear will bring about change in the world. Kate’s father, along with several other characters (including a love interest) also seeks to protect and encourage her. Brave firemen save the lives of innocent citizens caught in danger and precarious situations.
A kind woman receives a bag of cash and wants the world to know that miracles still happen, crediting “the Spirit of God.”
A persistent suitor asks Kate out on a date multiple times; she eventually says yes. When the man tries to kiss her, she tells him no.
We see a canoodling couple kiss and flirt. A man kisses a woman on the cheek. A woman wears a slightly revealing top.
Kate rushes to the scene of an explosion where a building is aflame. A man dangles from scaffolding (and is saved) and people lie injured on stretchers.
Kate talks about the news stories she’s covered in the past. We learn that she’s covered manhunts, bomb scares, explosions, riots, fires and anything else that could go violently wrong.
We hear about a man who died during a storm at sea. We hear that he was covered in blood and unable to breathe when he was eventually discovered.
A man whispers “d–mit,” and another says “h—.”
A cynical character briefly believes that the Good Samaritan gets his money through drug dealing. Men and women alike consume hard liquor, champagne and wine in public and at home.
Kate is inherently skeptical. Raised by a father who worked heavily in the political world, Kate grew up not trusting politicians. A lying, manipulative politician reinforces this tendency in her.
When Kate begins to cover the story about the anonymous Good Samaritan, she finds it hard to believe that someone could do such amazingly good deeds without wanting anything in return.
Netflix’ new original movie Good Sam, based on the novel by Dete Meserve, is a heart-warming story about Kate Bradley, a skeptical journalist turned optimist.
Unlike some original content on Netflix, this PG-rated story avoids the nasty stuff and centers on themes of hope and love. The movie also reminds us of the power of generosity, the possibility of goodness in the human heart and the reality that miracles come in many forms.
Kristin Smith joined the Plugged In team in 2017. Formerly a Spanish and English teacher, Kristin loves reading literature and eating authentic Mexican tacos. She and her husband, Eddy, love raising their children Judah and Selah. Kristin also has a deep affection for coffee, music, her dog (Cali) and cat (Aslan).
