'Sacré Coeur' Film Becomes Box Office Hit Amidst Secularism Debate in France

Unexpected Box Office Success

The French docudrama 'Sacré Coeur' (Sacred Heart), subtitled 'His Reign Will Have No End,' has emerged as an unexpected box office hit across France. Since its release on October 1, 2025, the film has garnered significant attention, attracting over 400,000 viewers by mid-November. Initially launched in 150 theaters, its popularity led to an expansion to 347 screens to meet demand. The film, produced with a modest budget of approximately $600,000, focuses on the 17th-century apparitions of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in Paray-le-Monial, Burgundy.

Directed by the husband-and-wife team Steven and Sabrina Gunnell, the docudrama combines historical reenactments with contemporary testimonials, aiming to convey the universal message of the Sacred Heart. Steven Gunnell, a former member of the 1990s French boy band Alliage, is a convert to Catholicism.

Controversy Over Laïcité

Despite its commercial success, 'Sacré Coeur' has become a focal point of controversy due to France's deeply entrenched principle of laïcité, or secularism. This principle mandates a strict separation of church and state and requires public services to maintain neutrality regarding religious expression.

The film's overtly religious content has led to several high-profile incidents:

• Promotional Bans: Public transportation operators, including the RATP (Paris public transport) and SNCF (state rail operator), canceled advertising campaigns for the film. They cited its 'confessional and proselytizing' nature as incompatible with the principle of public service neutrality.
• Canceled Screenings: A planned screening on October 22 at the Château de La Buzine, a municipal cinema in Marseille, was canceled. The mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, justified the decision by stating that 'a public facility cannot host screenings of a religious nature,' citing a 'violation of the principle of secularism.'

Reactions and Broader Implications

The controversy has ignited a broader debate about the place of religion in French public life. Critics of the bans, including the film's directors, have highlighted what they perceive as hypocrisy, noting that films with anti-Christian messages are often advertised freely. The directors, Steven and Sabrina Gunnell, have stated that they are not involved in politics or legal matters, emphasizing that the film's message of love is universal and intended for all audiences, regardless of their faith.

The film's success and the ensuing debate have also drawn attention from various media outlets, with some, like those within the Bolloré group, promoting the film and framing its reception within a larger cultural and political context. Conversely, some 'neo-liberal Catholics' have expressed concern, viewing the film's popularity as potentially contributing to the 'normalisation of far-right ideas within the Christian community' and suggesting that the Sacred Heart is being 'put at the service of a political agenda.'