Monday night, Netflix brought Southern charm and star power to Atlanta with a special screening of Ruth & Boaz, hosted at Regal Atlantic Station. The evening featured a post-screening Q&A moderated by Atlanta’s own and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss.

The screening welcomed a packed house, including cast members Serayah, Tyler Lepley, Jermaine Dupri, Lecrae, Nijah Brenea, Walnette Santiago, James Thomas Lee, and Gabby Jackson. Producer DeVon Franklin was also in attendance, along with a crowd of notable guests like Joey Bada$$, Terri J. Vaughn (Miss Governor), Taylor Polidore (Beauty In Black), Da Brat, Montell Jordan, and Eva Marcille.

Directed by Alanna Brown and written by Michael Elliot and Cory Tynan, Ruth & Boaz is a modern-day reimagining of the classic biblical story with a Southern twist (very Cowboy Carter inspired). The film follows Ruth (Serayah), a rising Atlanta hip-hop artist who walks away from the promises of fame and fortune because it doesn’t align with her calling from God. After a devastating personal loss, she relocates to rural Tennessee to care for her late boyfriend’s mother (Phylicia Rashad) and unexpectedly finds healing and love through Boaz (Tyler Lepley), a vineyard owner who’s determine for his wine to win “Best In Show”.

Personally, I thought it was such a sweet story. It modernizes a biblical tale in a way that feels deeply relevant, especially right now, when so much of the online discourse is about “who’s the prize,” “who should pursue who,” and what love is supposed to look like. Ruth & Boaz is a gentle reminder that if you want to welcome love into your life, you have to be willing to open your heart. It also reframes masculinity in a really moving way. Boaz isn’t just charming and handsome, he also leads with humility and intention in his pursuit of Ruth.

DeVon Franklin, who produced the film, even echoed this sentiment during the Q&A, saying it’s time for men to step back into that space of open-hearted pursuit. We need more love stories like this that aren’t afraid to be tender and more positives depictions of “Black Love” on the screen.

Honestly, this film feels like the beginning of a new chapter for faith-based films. DeVon Franklin is flipping the genre on its head considering for a long time, these types of movies were written off as cheesy or low-quality or just plain bad. Ruth & Boaz proves that a faith-forward story can be grounded, and incredibly resonant.

Ruth & Boaz premieres globally on Netflix this Friday, September 26. Add it to your weekend queue and bring tissues.