Soul on Fire is a 2025 American biographical drama film about John O'Leary, a real-life St. Louis native who survived fire burns which covered his entire body.[2] It is directed by Sean McNamara, based on a screenplay by Gregory Poirier that adapted O'Leary's book On Fire, The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life.[3] The film stars Joel Courtney portraying O'Leary, along with John Corbett, Stéphanie Szostak, Masey McLain, DeVon Franklin, and William H. Macy.

Soul on Fire
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySean McNamara
Written byGregory Poirier
Based onOn Fire, The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life by John O'Leary
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBob Hayes
Edited byGregory Hobson
Music byMark Isham
Production
companies
  • Affirm Films
  • Linda B. Huntington Productions
  • Branded Pictures Entertainment
  • Margaret French Isaac Entertainment
  • Brookwell McNamara Entertainment
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
Release date
  • October 10, 2025 (2025-10-10)
Running time
112 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$7.4 million

It was released in the United States and Canada on October 10, 2025 by Sony Pictures Releasing.

Cast

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Production

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In October 2023, it was announced that Macy, Corbett, Courtney and several other actors were cast in the film.[4] Since the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike was occurring at the time, the filmmakers were granted an interim agreement to allow the film to be made.[2] Filming began in Missouri in November 2023.[5][6] Filming specifically occurred in Maplewood, Missouri.[7] Filming also took place in Saint Louis University.[8] Modern day scenes were shot at the New Busch Stadium while older scenes use special effects to depict the circular shaped Busch Memorial Stadium, which had been demolished in 2005.[9]

Mark Isham was hired to compose the score.[10] Among the songs used in the soundtrack is "Wedding Song (There Is Love)" and "Soul on Fire" by Third Day.

Release

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Soul on Fire movie was released on October 10, 2025.[11]

Reception

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Box office

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In the United States and Canada, Soul on Fire grossed $7.4 million at the box office.[12] It opened at No. 6, its first of two consecutive weeks in the Top 10 at the domestic box office.[13]

Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 67% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5/10.[14]

References

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  1. "Soul on Fire". British Columbia Film Classification Office. October 2, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Grobar, Matt (October 26, 2023). "William H. Macy, John Corbett, Joel Courtney & Others Set For Sean McNamara Pic 'On Fire' Based On True Story Of Severe Burn Survivor John O'Leary". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  3. Clark, Patrick (October 28, 2023). "'On Fire' film shooting in St. Louis links hope and baseball". KTVI News. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  4. Neman, Daniel (October 27, 2023). "Film starring Joel Courtney, William H. Macy, John Corbett seeks St. Louis extras". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  5. Cohen, Robert; Neman, Daniel (November 9, 2023). "Feature film 'On Fire' begins shooting in Maplewood, telling the story of St. Louisian John O'Leary's survival". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  6. Geisinger, Gabriella (November 8, 2023). "William H Macy's new movie underway in US". KFTV News. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  7. Clancy, Sam (November 7, 2023). "You might run into film crews in Maplewood this week". KSDK News. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  8. Hinson, Tracy (November 10, 2023). "'On Fire' feature film spends 5 days shooting at Saint Louis University". KSDK News. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  9. "Soul On Fire Filming Locations (2025)". 4filming.com. October 11, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  10. "Mark Isham Scoring Sean McNamara's 'Soul on Fire'". filmmusicreporter.com. July 2, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  11. Grobar, Matt (2025-04-15). "Sony's Affirm Films Dates 'Soul On Fire' Starring William H. Macy, John Corbett & Joel Courtney". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  12. "Soul on Fire". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 2026-04-18.Edit this at Wikidata
  13. "Soul on Fire | Domestic Weekly". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 2026-04-18.
  14. "Soul on Fire". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 18, 2026. Edit this at Wikidata
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