Ruth & Boaz – Rewind #1

Tyler Perry has officially gone biblical—and I was all in! His new Netflix film Ruth & Boaz takes a bold swing at reimagining one of the most beloved stories in scripture, and while it doesn’t stick to the biblical script word-for-word, it still delivers a compelling tale that’s worth watching. If you’ve seen it, I hope it sparked your curiosity to dive into the actual book of Ruth. Spoiler alert: it’s only four chapters long, but it packs a punch. The book of Ruth is only 4 chapters long, but it is packed with some great themes that are relevant to our everyday lives. It starts with loss and grief and moves into the power of hard work! Then in the second part of the movie and book of Ruth you will see the themes of love, faith and legacy.

I have broken the attached study guide into four sessions covering all of these topics. First let’s start out talking about the loss and grief that Naomi is feeling. Naomi loses her husband and two sons—heartbreak stacked on heartbreak. In the movie, the tragedy unfolds through a carjacking. In scripture, the details are left out, but the emotional weight is the same. Naomi decides to return home—Israel in the Bible, Tennessee in the movie—and she tells Ruth to stay behind. Ruth, of course, isn’t having it. She’s loyal, fierce, and full of faith. She clings to Naomi like a lifeline and sets out on a new journey.

Now here’s where things get interesting. Ruth rolls up her sleeves and gets to work. In the Bible, she’s gleaning grain in Boaz’s field. In the movie, she’s harvesting grapes. Either way, she’s hustling. And Boaz? He notices. Cue the slow burn romance.

But Perry adds a twist—Ruth’s got pipes. She’s a singer tangled up in a toxic contract with a manipulative manager. That’s part of why she leaves her old life behind. The Bible doesn’t mention karaoke nights or viral videos, but the movie uses those modern beats to show Ruth’s courage and her desire for something more.

One standout scene? Ruth belts out a song at a bar with her friend Lena, and Boaz is there to catch the moment. Sparks fly. But fame has its price, and that karaoke clip ends up in the wrong hands. Trouble’s brewing.

So yes, the movie takes creative liberties. But the heart of Ruth’s story—grief, grit, loyalty, and love—is still pulsing underneath. That’s why I’ve broken the study guide into four sessions, starting with the themes of loss and hard work from Ruth chapters 1 and 2.

Ready to dig deeper? Download the study and explore how this ancient story still speaks today—even when it’s dressed up in modern drama and a killer soundtrack.

More on love, faith, and legacy coming soon in part two.