Ruth & Boaz Netflix Review 2025: A Modern Biblical Love Story Stream It or Skip It?

by Talha · September 26, 2025

Ruth & Boaz netflix movie — Credit : Netflix

Key Takeaways

Ruth & Boaz is a modern retelling of a Biblical love story, set in contemporary Tennessee, focusing on a singer escaping a toxic music career.
The film features strong performances, particularly from Phylicia Rashad, who plays Naomi, highlighting the evolving mother-daughter relationship with Ruth.

Produced by heavyweights Tyler Perry and DeVon Franklin, Ruth & Boaz is a modern retelling of the Biblical love story that premiered on Netflix on September 26, 2025 . Directed by Alanna Brown, the film transposes the ancient tale to contemporary Tennessee, following a talented singer who escapes a toxic music career to find love and new purpose . This review examines whether this well-intentioned drama delivers a compelling cinematic experience or gets lost in its own preaching.

Plot Analysis: From Atlanta Music Scene to Tennessee Vineyard

The film follows Ruth (Serayah), a soulful singer trying to navigate the pressures of the Atlanta music industry as part of the duo “404” with her best friend Breana (Nijah Brenea) . Their slick and ruthless manager, Syrus (James Lee Thomas), uses his charm to control their careers, leading to a coercive and violent campaign when Ruth decides to break her contract .

Seeking escape, Ruth leaves the city and arrives in a rural Tennessee community, where she dedicates herself to caring for Naomi (Phylicia Rashad), an elderly widow devastated by the tragic loss of her husband and son . Naomi initially disapproves of Ruth, but the young woman’s unwavering loyalty gradually softens her heart . As Naomi grieves, Ruth finds work at a vineyard owned by the handsome and heart-driven Boaz (Tyler Lepley) . The central narrative explores whether Ruth can build a new life and find love with Boaz while evading the dangerous past that follows her from Atlanta .

Character Deep Dive: Strengths and Shortcomings

The film’s success hinges on its central characters, with varying results.

Ruth (Serayah): Serayah portrays Ruth as a determined artist seeking authenticity. Her journey from a performer in a “magenta wig and scant attire” to a woman reconnecting with her soul is the film’s backbone . The character’s complexity comes from her tragic backstory and her desire to make music that truly reflects who she is.
Boaz (Tyler Lepley): Tyler Lepley embodies Boaz as a genuinely good and honorable man. However, the film’s development of their romance is noted as a potential weakness. A New York Times review suggests the chemistry between Ruth and Boaz “never approaches the teasingly sexy authenticity” of other relationships in the film and that the love story feels rushed, perhaps leaning too heavily on the audience’s familiarity with the source material .
Naomi (Phylicia Rashad): Phylicia Rashad’s performance is highlighted as the “saving grace” of the drama . The bond between Ruth and Naomi is a central focus, with Director Alanna Brown emphasizing that “the Ruth and Naomi love story is set up to be just as important as the Ruth and Boaz love story” . Their evolving mother-daughter-like relationship provides the film’s most heartfelt moments.

Key Scenes and Musical Integration

Ruth & Boaz uses music and key moments to drive its themes of faith and redemption.

The Open-Mic Night: A pivotal scene occurs when Ruth, now in Tennessee, attends an open-mic night and blows away Boaz and the other honky-tonk patrons with a powerful live performance . This moment serves as her emotional and artistic rebirth, showcasing her raw talent away from the manufactured pressures of Atlanta.
Ruth and Naomi’s Bonding: Early scenes establish tension, with Naomi being unimpressed by her son’s new love, Ruth . A significant scene involves Ruth caring for the grieving Naomi, demonstrating “unwavering loyalty” that slowly melts Naomi’s initial disapproval . This development is crucial, as it is “Naomi who leads Ruth to Boaz” .
The Musical Cameo by Babyface: The film features a special cameo from 13-time Grammy winner Babyface, who also wrote and produced the new song “Faithful” for the movie . In a memorable scene, Babyface and Ruth perform a live version of the gospel classic “Goodness of God” together at the piano. Director Alanna Brown confirmed this was a live performance, calling it “absolutely magical” and noting that it created an emotional high point for the film .

Overall Themes and Final Verdict

Ruth & Boaz netflix movie scene — Credit : Netflix

Ruth & Boaz is a sincere and sentimental faith-based film that explores themes of loyalty, redemption, and finding love after profound loss . It is part of a multi-picture deal between Perry, Franklin, and Netflix aimed at producing uplifting content . The film’s strength lies in its heartfelt intention and the strong performance by Phylicia Rashad.

However, the film may struggle with predictability for some viewers. Critics note it follows a familiar “minuet of trauma and triumph” characteristic of the studio’s output, and the central romance might not feel fully earned to those unfamiliar with the Biblical story .

Stream It or Skip It?

The decision to watch Ruth & Boaz depends heavily on your viewing preferences.

Stream It if: You are a fan of Tyler Perry’s style of storytelling; you enjoy heartfelt, faith-based dramas with positive messages; you appreciate stories focused on emotional healing and strong female relationships.
Skip It if: You prefer fast-paced plots with high originality; you are looking for a steamy romance with deep, developed chemistry between the leads; you are not typically drawn to sentimental or morally straightforward narratives.

Final Answer: Stream It.

For its target audience, Ruth & Boaz delivers a positive, uplifting experience with solid performances, particularly from Phylicia Rashad. While it may not break new ground, it succeeds as a comforting and well-produced modern parable about finding purpose through faith and love

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FAQs

Q1: What is Ruth & Boaz about?
It’s a modern reimagining of the biblical story, following a singer seeking faith, love, and purpose in rural Tennessee.

Q2: Who stars in Ruth & Boaz on Netflix?
The film stars Serayah, Tyler Lepley, and Phylicia Rashad, with production by Tyler Perry and DeVon Franklin.

Q3: Should I stream or skip Ruth & Boaz?
Stream it if you enjoy heartfelt, faith-based dramas with emotional depth and strong performances.