Docudrama
24 minutes / 2020
Rating: 7/10

Foundations is the story of Parker, or rather the story of 3 different Parkers. All three stories start the same way. The little boy Parker is watching a TV show about evolution with his parents. When the commentator starts talking about how humans evolved over millions of years, Parker turns to his dad and asks, “Is that true… did we use to be fish?”

This is the three-tined fork in the road. In the first story, Parker’s parents tell him that yes, we are former fish. And then we get to see how an evolutionary, agnostic worldview works itself out. We see an adult Parker, believing himself to be the product of nothing but chance, making questionable decisions. Finally, we get to see him on his deathbed, alone and full of regrets.

Then we rewind, and this time Parker’s parents give a different, but only slightly better, answer. In all, three different worldviews are featured, one after another.

1) Evolutionary agnostic
2) Theistic evolutionist
3) Bible-believing creationist

As you have probably guessed, Parker has a nicer life, and a far nicer death when he lives out the truths his parents teach him in Scenario #3. But, as the producers point out, they aren’t trying to say that following God always means you’ll have a better life – as the Bible warns, God’s people will face trials. But as God also teaches through Solomon, following God’s wisdom will save you from many troubles, like the adulterous woman.

This wouldn’t be one you’d want to spring on your kids for your family movie night. If they were expecting Toy Story 6, they aren’t going to be impressed by Foundations. But while it isn’t pure entertainment, it is compelling. Yes, you are going to watch this for its educational value, but it is worthy of a watch, and even more so, a discussion. At just 24 minutes, it doesn’t demand all that much from viewers, so you might be able to show this to even young teens. It could be great for a one-class session in a Science, Bible, or English class. Or it could be a great conversation-starter for a Young Peoples’ free topic.

Watch the entire short film for free below.

For something similar, but a bit more demanding, these are also the folks behind the 1-hour Genesis Impact. It’s another docudrama, but this time with a Christian college student debating an evolutionist lecturer. A must-see before your teen heads off to college.