Netflix’s Ruth & Boaz is a modern retelling of the biblical story. A bit of foul language, some violent elements and a few flirtatious conversations add an edge to this love story. But the film also shares the message that the love we have for each other here on Earth is a reflection of the perfect love that God has for us all.
An old hymn says, “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.” Naomi, who recently lost her son and husband, believes that finding love, true love, is one of those wonders.
But she also believes the first half of that lyric, that God may guide us to love in ways we never expected. Yes, love starts with truth and trust. But sometimes it can also start in tragedy.
And that’s exactly where we get the story of Ruth and Boaz from the Bible, albeit in a modern narrative context here.
Ruth Moably is dating Naomi’s son, Marlon. And she’s on the track to stardom. She and her singing partner, Breana, have just been offered an eight-figure recording deal from a Grammy-winning producer. But the music they’ve been performing lately just isn’t feeding her spirit.
The women used to write and sing songs about love, empowerment and social consciousness. However, when those songs failed to put them on the map, they copped out, writing catchier tunes about power, money and fame.
Ruth is prepared to leave it all behind when that tragedy I mentioned strikes: Marlon and his father, Eli, are shot during a carjacking. … And neither of them pulls through.
Sylas, Ruth’s manager, tries to manipulate Ruth into staying in Atlanta, to fulfill her contract for the recording deal. But it’s too much for the young singer.
Instead, Ruth hops on a bus with Naomi to Pegram, Tennessee, Naomi’s hometown.
“Where you go, I go,” Ruth informs the older woman.
Still grieving, Naomi isn’t sure she wants Ruth along for the ride. But as it turns out, Ruth is exactly the person Naomi needs to take care of her.
What’s more, Ruth soon meets Bo Azra (Boaz for short), an old family friend of Naomi’s. And Boaz turns out to be exactly the person Ruth needs to take care of her.
Ruth and Naomi are both still grieving. But it’s like the old hymn says: “God moves in mysterious ways.” And these two women are about to learn more about love than they ever expected.
Although Naomi is initially hesitant to have Ruth by her side, she soon warms up to the younger woman. Ruth is faithful to Naomi. As the film progresses, it becomes clear that the two love each other very much, with Naomi eventually coming to see Ruth as her daughter.
Boaz is exceedingly kind to Ruth. Obviously, there’s some romantic interest, but his initial kindness stems from professional admiration for Ruth’s work ethic. And the two find ways of encouraging each other toward their dreams.
Marlon and Eli, we’re told, were both good men. And from the brief scenes we see, they were indeed supportive partners to the women in their lives.
Elsewhere, Ruth apologizes for lying by omission to a few people she cares about.
Naomi becomes embittered against the Lord for a while after Marlon and Eli die. We learn that Marlon wasn’t the first son she had lost. And she’s also informed at the funeral that due to some poor business deals, her home, vehicles and other worldly possessions are all being repossessed by the bank.
Overwhelmed by so much loss and only Ruth (whom she doesn’t like very much at the beginning) for comfort, Naomi yells that she is done with God, ripping a cross off her wall.
However, Ruth’s love and devotion soften Naomi’s heart. Although she’s saddened by Marlon’s loss, she’s happy to see Ruth moving on with Boaz. And she realizes that she is wrong to reject God. She may never understand why God took Eli and Marlon away, but she’s grateful that He brought her Ruth. And she’s also reminded of the many other blessings the Lord has given her throughout the years.
Naomi refuses to go to church while she’s still angry at God—and part of that is because she’s embarrassed. However, the pastor of her old church shows up anyway, telling Naomi that they’ll be there for her when she’s ready. And he also organizes a group to come and fix up her old house, which has fallen into disrepair.
Ruth has trusted God her whole life. Even before Marlon’s death, she prays before performances, asking God to help her and Breana connect with their audience and for all glory to be given unto Him. (Breana asks for a little bit of that glory since she’s wearing uncomfortable shoes.) At a critical moment, she sings the song “Goodness of God,” her way of thanking God for all He’s given to her.
Several characters wear crosses—including a few who seem to do so more for fashion than for faith. Ruth attends church with her new friends, surprised to learn that Boaz also attends church regularly.
Christian symbolism shows up throughout the film, including a scene where Boaz washes Ruth’s feet. Several characters earnestly cry out to God for help and guidance. People pray throughout the film.
Ruth and Boaz kiss. Boaz invites Ruth to “crush.” Ruth, assuming he means sex, tells him that she doesn’t think it’s a good idea. However, he clarifies that he means crushing grapes (Boaz owns a vineyard). Later on, crushing is brought up again as a double entendre.
A married couple snuggles in bed. They flirt suggestively before the camera pans away.
Several women ogle Boaz as he fixes a roof without a shirt.
Ruth wears cropped tops throughout the film. Some of her outfits are formfitting and cleavage-baring, too. Breana dresses similarly. The two women dance a little provocatively during a performance. Afterward, Ruth is upset that men in the audience threw money at them as if they were strippers.
There are a few jokes about divorce and picking up people in bars.
Sylas tells Ruth that he was the one who arranging the carjacking against Marlon and Eli. Though he insists nobody was supposed to get hurt, he still pressures her to fulfill her recording contract with him, even going as far as threatening Naomi. And those dangerous threats continue throughout the rest of the film.
A man smacks a woman to the ground. When her friend tries to help her, he wrenches that woman’s arm back, dragging her out of the house. Another man tries to help the women, tackling one of their attackers to the ground and punching him in the face (we see blood). However, he’s shoved off and kicked in the stomach repeatedly.
Someone threatens a few people with a gun. He briefly loses possession of the weapon, but before he can reclaim it, someone stops him with a warning shot from her own gun.
Two characters commit arson. Sylas screams in Breana’s face, snatching her phone away from her.
There is a single use of the s-word. We also hear a couple of uses of “h—” and “p-ss.” Characters exclaim, “Oh my God!” nine times, sometimes in earnest and sometimes in vain.
Boaz owns a vineyard and is trying to win a prestigious wine award. People drink casually throughout the film.
Sylas tells Ruth that he frequently paid her and Breana’s rent, in addition to getting Ruth a car so that she wouldn’t have to take the bus anymore. However, he didn’t do this out of the goodness of his heart; he did it to manipulate her and Breana. Sure enough, when Ruth tries to get out of her contract with Sylas, he bullies and threatens her, informing her that he plans to get what he believes he is due, no matter what.
We learn that Ruth was abandoned on the steps of a church by her mother when she was just 5 years old. She never knew her father. And she had been placed in three different foster homes by the time she was 15, making it very difficult for her to trust and love.
If you’ve read the book of Ruth, you know that the biblical story carries strong themes of loyalty and love. Those themes are reflected in Netflix’s Ruth & Boaz.
This modern retelling of the story isn’t a frame-by-frame recap from Scripture, but it is strongly rooted in Christian themes. A bit of harsh language (the s-word), as well as a couple of milder profanities, make their way into the script. We hear about some violent deaths; we witness a physical altercation that almost turns lethal. And there’s some suggestive flirting and perhaps less-than-modest outfits. But otherwise, content concerns are few.
As a result, we get a lovely story that shows just how important love is. Love is patient and kind. It doesn’t envy or boast. And it never, ever gives up—just as 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 tells us.
In the case of Ruth, Boaz and Naomi, love saves their lives. The love they each have for one another reflects the perfect love that God has for us. And that’s always a good message to reminded of.
Emily studied film and writing when she was in college. And when she isn’t being way too competitive while playing board games, she enjoys food, sleep, and geeking out with her husband indulging in their “nerdoms,” which is the collective fan cultures of everything they love, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate and Lord of the Rings.
