The Man Who Saves the World?

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The Man Who Saves the World?

2025

1h 27m

Documentary

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13 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Resurrection, indigenous prophecies, and adventures around the globe -- this is the story of Patrick McCollum. A spiritual leader and peace advocate, he finds himself at the very center of an ancient prophecy that could decide the fate of our planet. Pulled into McCollum's world, acclaimed director Gabe Polsky will bring us across continents on a spiritual journey in which the absurd and profound merge.

Frank Scheck

The Hollywood Reporter

Oct 24, 2025

The Man Who Saves the World? makes for both fun and thoughtful viewing.

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Nell Minow

RogerEbert.com

Oct 18, 2025

4/4

One could picture another less-creative director making a very different kind of film about McCollum: an earnest, respectful work of hagiography. Polsky includes his doubts.

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Michael J. Casey

Metro Arts

Jan 31, 2026

3/5

The last 10 minutes of this movie is really where it's at.

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Patrick McDonald

HollywoodChicago.com

Nov 22, 2025

4.5/5

Man, this one is mind blowing, esp if you're seeking optimism. Gabe Polsky portrays Sancho to Don Patrick, and comes out it as perplexed as the rest of us, but changed forever. Another example of reality being stranger than fiction. W/Polsky interview.

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

Nov 8, 2025

The film introduces us to a weird guy, and spends the whole documentary musing on one question: Is this weird guy full of it, or is he not?

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Giovanni Lago

Next Best Picture

Oct 24, 2025

6/10

The heart of the story instead emerges from Polsky and McCollum’s push-and-pull dynamic, which ultimately culminates in a finale that examines the idea of faith, not necessarily religious faith, but faith in one another.

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Casey S

@JCaseys Jul 29, 2026

Very disappointed that this dude just made a whole movie to make fun of a passionate, well-meaning guys who kind of just lost his marbles. The only refreshing part was Jane Goodall, and it is tragic that this may be the last thing she was filming doing.

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Carina T

@weaverfox Jun 30, 2026

I gave this film my $10 for promising a fellow indie filmmaker questioning "white man as savior" tropes with Amazonian tribes. I regret it. Despite endorsements from Farrelly, Gordon Green and McBride, its so-called transparent dilemma is incoherent. Doubting your own character is documentary 101. The skill (see Errol Morris) is getting past doubt to dig into the facts. Polsky never does - sad, not funny. In the one honest scene between him and McCollum, McCollum takes over, revealing nothing. Jane Goodall's presence lends McCollum credibility he never earns onscreen. Beyond that, we learn almost nothing about him: wife loves him, bad knee, works with tribes, "a bit wild." It's unclear what his gatherings resolve — Indigenous people function as props. Watching this film left me with existential questions — not about its subject, but about its existence as a documentary. A disservice to filmmakers everywhere.

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Jill C.

@JillCC7 Apr 26, 2026

One of the best documentary films I’ve seen! We can’t stop talking about it. It’s hilarious, heartfelt, and very, very thought-provoking.

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Polsky P

@RT83450486 Apr 6, 2026

I had the chance to work on The Man Who Saves the World?, and even after spending so much time with it, the story never stopped surprising me. It’s funny, sincere, and a little unpredictable in the best way...

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Seattle Skin E

@RT09228711 Oct 20, 2025

Wow! Super entertaining, engaging and inspiring. One of the best documentaries Ive seen recently. Everything was done so well, the editing, audio, location shots. A must see.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Oct 18, 2025

Real footage in 1 hour and 27 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Gabe Polsky

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Patrick McCollum

Self

Jane Goodall

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Gabe Polsky

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Synopsis

Resurrection, indigenous prophecies, and adventures around the globe -- this is the story of Patrick McCollum. A spiritual leader and peace advocate, he finds himself at the very center of an ancient prophecy that could decide the fate of our planet. Pulled into McCollum's world, acclaimed director Gabe Polsky will bring us across continents on a spiritual journey in which the absurd and profound merge.

Director: Gabe Polsky
Producer: Gabe Polsky
Screenwriter: Gabe Polsky, Gabe Polsky
Distributor: Area 23a
Production Co: Rough House Pictures, Gabriel Polsky Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 17, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 27m

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