for King + Country Premieres New Film
On Monday, November 17th, The Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee, felt less like a movie premiere and more like a family reunion, one where everyone just happens to have a Grammy or two. Friends, family, and industry insiders packed the historic venue for the premiere of No Turning Back, the new documentary, chronicling the remarkable journey of the Smallbone family and the rise of for KING + COUNTRY.
The film traces the family’s bold leap of faith from Australia to the United States, a move that came with more heartbreak, hurdles, and hard work than any of them could’ve imagined. But if the Smallbones have taught the world anything, it’s that perseverance plus God given purpose is an unstoppable combination.
While the documentary celebrates the meteoric rise of Joel and Luke Smallbone, it starts long before arenas and platinum records. Much of the story centers on their sister, Rebecca St. James, whose breakout career not only helped stabilize the family during their hardest season but also opened doors for what would eventually become for KING + COUNTRY.
The film weaves together archival footage, intimate interviews, and vulnerable moments that highlight a family who held tightly to their calling, even when the path got impossibly steep. You see the quiet sacrifices, the late-night prayers, the reinvention, and the long, winding development years that slowly shaped the brothers into the artists—and men—they are today.
What stands out most is Joel and Luke’s sincerity. Despite all the acclaim, they continually redirect the spotlight upward and outward, acknowledging the family, mentors, and ultimately, God, who carried them from survival to success. Their humility runs like a thread throughout the entire film, grounding the story in gratitude instead of glamor.
Attending the premiere was special in its own right, but attending with my daughter, who dreams of becoming a Christian singer one day, made it unforgettable. Watching her take in the Smallbone family’s story, seeing the grit behind the glory, and feeling the hope in that room… it hit different.
When the credits rolled, she was glowing. Inspired. Determined. More committed than ever to working hard at her craft. And honestly? That’s the magic of a film like No Turning Back. It doesn’t just honor a legacy; it sparks new ones.
No Turning Back is a behind-the-scenes look at one of Christian music’s most influential families. It’s also a narrative about courage, calling, and the relentless faith that pushes you forward when quitting feels easier, and a reminder that God is in the details; even the messy, confusing ones. It shows us that obedience can lead to stories far bigger than we can imagine.
For the Smallbones, the journey was never simple. But it was never without purpose. And for everyone in that theater Monday night, the message was clear:
When God calls you forward, there really is no turning back.
Watch No Turning Back streaming on Nov 23 – https://amzn.to/48oXcWx
