She Made a Vow to God While Bleeding Out. Decades Later, It's Tearing Her Marriage Apart

Lesley Manville and Ciaran Hinds Star in New Film About Faith, Marriage and Keeping Promises to God

A new drama called "Midwinter Break" is set to hit theaters on February 20, 2026, starring acclaimed actors Lesley Manville and Ciaran Hinds as a longtime married couple whose winter trip to Amsterdam becomes a reckoning with belief, regret and unfinished promises to God.

The film, directed by Polly Findlay, is based on Bernard MacLaverty's 2017 novel of the same name. It follows Stella (Manville) and Gerry (Hinds), an Irish couple who have been leading a relatively quiet life in Glasgow after leaving Belfast during The Troubles.

Faith plays a central role in the story. Stella made a vow to God decades earlier after surviving a traumatic shooting while she was pregnant with their only child. She promised to dedicate her life more fully to God if her child survived. That promise, and the weight of never fully living up to it, drives the narrative forward.

Stella says she needs to devote her life to God because that's the vow she made, and she's never lived up to that promise.

Manville, 69, said she deeply understood her character's faith journey. She noted that she could imagine "what Stella was thinking" and how faith could guide someone through trauma and carry them for decades after.

Stella's Catholicism contrasts sharply with Gerry's lapsed faith and humanist outlook. Gerry, a former architect described as funny yet guarded, represents a generation with ingrained expectations about partnership, though he loves Stella deeply.

Hinds emphasized the novel's "quiet but profound" exploration of humanity and relationships, adding that there is "trauma in it, but no constant drama."

They laugh together. There's a lot going for it. Marriages are worth fighting for.

The film is rated PG 13 for thematic material involving alcoholism, strong language and bloody images. It releases in the United Kingdom on March 20, 2026.

New Movie "Midwinter Break" Explores a Christian Woman's Lifelong Vow to God and Its Impact on Her Marriage

What makes "Midwinter Break" especially compelling for Christian audiences is its honest portrayal of how a promise made to God in a moment of desperation can shape an entire lifetime. Stella's struggle is one that many believers can relate to: the gap between the vows we make in our darkest hours and the daily reality of living up to them.

The film does not shy away from the tension between a believing spouse and one who has walked away from faith. It presents both perspectives with nuance, showing that love and commitment can persist even when the deepest beliefs of a husband and wife diverge.

The Crusader's Opinion

It's rare that Hollywood gives us a film that treats faith with any kind of respect, so when one comes along that actually centers a woman's vow to God as the driving force of the story, we should pay attention. Stella's promise isn't treated as a punchline or a sign of weakness. It's the backbone of the entire narrative. That alone makes "Midwinter Break" worth seeing. In a culture that mocks prayer and dismisses promises made to the Almighty, this film reminds us that our words to God matter, and the weight of an unfulfilled vow is heavier than any earthly burden.

Take Action

• See "Midwinter Break" in theaters starting February 20, 2026 and support films that portray faith honestly and respectfully.
• Start a conversation with your spouse or a married couple you know about the vows you've made to God and to each other. Are you living up to them?
• If you or someone you know is struggling with keeping promises made to God, reach out to your pastor or church community for guidance and prayer support.
• Share this article with fellow believers to spread the word about a film that takes Christian faith seriously.
• Support Christian journalism and persecution relief at www.TheShepherdsShield.org.