Expecting Amish

Expecting Amish is an intense, thought-provoking drama film that first premiered on Lifetime in 2014. A romantic film that shines a light on the intersection between traditional religious values and the modern world, it beautifully paints a picture of a young woman’s pursuit for independence, love, and personal fulfillment.

Expecting Amish is set in the heart of Amish country and revolves around the life of an 18-year-old Amish girl, Hannah Yoder, who nurtures aspirations that run contrary to the expectations of her conservative Amish community. Raised within the traditionalist and often isolated Amish community in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, Hannah Yoder is on the brink of her Rumspringa, a rite-of-passage for Amish youth. This is a unique period in an Amish adolescent’s life when they are allowed to experience life beyond their community's confines to help them decide whether to commit to the Amish church and its simple, rural lifestyle or to leave it behind for the modern world - a decision that once made, cannot be reversed.

In the course of her Rumspringa, unexpected life-altering circumstances push Hannah out of her comfort zone and into the bustling city of Los Angeles. This happens to be every bit as vibrant and tantalizing as it is overwhelming. The ideals and values of her deeply conservative upbringing clash with the freedoms and eclecticism of city-life, creating a canvas for the intriguing narrative. Amidst this riveting life-transition, Hannah encounters the dizzying world of technological modernity and interactions with 'English' people, the term used by the Amish to describe anyone outside their community.

While in Los Angeles, Hannah meets and falls in love with Josh, a vibrant young man enamoured by the city’s modern lifestyle. This budding relationship further complicates her life, as it falls significantly outside the borders of her traditional Amish upbringing. At the same time, Hannah's bewilderment about her path is contrasted with an unexpected twist—she's pregnant. This throws her into even deeper turmoil, increasing the stakes of her decision concerning the life she wants to lead.

Back in her Amish community, her fiancé, Samuel, who is unaware of her predicament, eagerly awaits her return from her Rumspringa so they can embark on their pre-planned Amish life together. Samuel is a traditional Amish man deeply rooted in the community and committed to their simple ways. He fully expects Hannah to return and fulfill her expected role as an Amish wife and mother. Unaware of the emotional tumult Hannah is experiencing in Los Angeles, Samuel embodies the life and promises of the familiar and the known, in stark contrast to the uncertainties and excitement of the city.

The film does a remarkable job of portraying the distinctiveness of the Amish lifestyle without resorting to unkind stereotyping or mockery. It respectfully depicts the struggles that Amish youth face internally while making life-defining decisions. The movie serves as a narrative exploration of personal freedom, tradition, and the cost of breaking away from long-held community norms.

The cast of Expecting Amish includes several well-known actors in the television industry, including Jesse McCartney, who lends his talents to the character of Josh, Disney Channel starlet Alyson Stoner playing Allison, an 'English' friend that Hannah meets in LA, and A.J. Michalka, known for her roles in Super 8 and The Lovely Bones, who brilliantly personifies the lead role of Hannah.

Their performances, along with the nuanced storytelling, make Expecting Amish a compelling watch, challenging viewers to question their own assumptions and biases about the Amish community while evoking empathy and understanding for characters navigating two very different worlds.

Expecting Amish is not just a film about young love or religious customs. It is a sensitive portrayal of the struggle between tradition and modernity, faith and understanding, and commitments and aspirations. It is a tribute to the journey to find one's own identity and the courage to make challenging life decisions. Our protagonist's story is a lesson about striking a balance between individual duty and personal desire, delving not just into the tribulations of a young woman, but a broader comment on societal norms and individual freedom.