Faith in the Flames: The Nichole Jolly Story (2025 Lifetime Movie)
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Cast: Chrissy Metz, Colin Moss
Director: Jozua Malherbe
Writer(s): Kelly Fullerton
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Lifetime)
Inspired by the true story of a courageous EMS provider who put her life at risk to save and evacuate the residents trapped in a town consumed by a raging wildfire, Paradise, California.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
The movie begins on Chrissy Metz’s farm in California. A town called Paradise. She’s got horses, she’s got sons, she’s got a puffer vest. Her character’s name is Nicole, and she is celebrating her early birthday with her hot husband, Nick. They plan to spend one hour alone…. and by “they” I mean Nicole and her horse. Everyone comments on the extremely windy day.
Nicole has her mother take one of her kids to school, and gets into a fight with her mother about working at the hospital too much. Nicole also forgets about her son’s baseball game, and that pisses off her husband AND son. It seems like Nicole can’t win today. Add a forest fire to that, and you’ve got a pretty bad day.
At work, Nicole has a reputation for being a tough boss and demanding of the residents. Patients appreciate her attention to detail and knowledge. Nicole was practically born with a stethoscope around her neck and is a control freak who never takes a break. Her co-workers sing “Happy Birthday” to Nicole just as the emergency alarm sounds. An evacuation order is in place due to raging forest fires. Nicole stays in the hospital to ensure everyone is out safely, despite her mother’s warning.
Nick calls Nicole to tell her that the fire is REALLY bad. The kids’ school evacuates, and he rushes to pick up Jordan and Logan, but the cell phone signal cuts out. Nicole seems to be stuck in the worst of it; flames surround her car, and the smoke blocks the sun, making it look like night.
Logan and Jordan walk through the smoke to the local diner to wait for their dad. Why, they don’t stay inside, I’ll never know. Nick grabs the kids, but Nicole is still stuck on the burning roads. Nick tries to drive up to his wife, but the streets are closed.
Things get worse when Nicole’s car is struck from behind and sends her careening into the burning trees on the side of the road. She gets through to Nick and starts to say her goodbyes, but Nick tells her to keep FAITH IN THE FLAMES. (Okay, okay, he just says faith. It’s close enough.) With no way in or out, Nick tells Nicole to get out of the car and run.
Nicole, of course, doesn’t just get out of the car and run. Nicole goes to the other vehicles that are trapped in traffic because of the flames. Nicole tries to convince the head doctor to go with her, but the doctor just sings about Jesus and burns to death. Nicole leaves her behind, but she does sing along with the chorus.
Through the smoke and Ash, Nicole makes her trek. The smoke overwhelms her and she passes out, but eventually wakes up and keeps going. Nicole makes it to a stranded fire truck, and they take her in. The radio alert tells them to shelter in place. Nicole is worried about her doctor friend and wants to go back, but they can’t.
Nick and the sons have to move back because the fires are raging on a football field at a time. The kids want to go back, but Nick knows the outlook is grim for Nicole.
Just as Nicole and the firefighters are about to enter the fire tents as a last resort, they receive a call that a bulldozer is clearing the roads. The firefighters and Nicole treat people who have been pulled from the fire. She is the only nurse there, except for a few trainees. They enter the burning hospital to retrieve essential supplies for the fire victims. (It is risky because of all the smoke funneled inside.)
The doctor actually makes it and helps on the scene, but Nicole’s co-worker Karen isn’t so lucky, with over 80% of her body burned. Nicole tries to revive her friend, but it is too late. They call it and then do a prayer circle around Liz. (Seems like they should be helping more patients to me, but you do you!)
Nicole starts to become overwhelmed with smoke inhalation and passes out. Nicole’s friend/co-worker Karen revives her and ISN’T dead after all. (That was mean, movie!) Nicole has some pretty knargly burns on her calves, but she is okay.
Nick and the boys are in trouble, and the roads aren’t looking good. Cars around them are exploding, so to drown out the noise, they sing the ABC song? (What happened to Jesus songs?! Maybe we didn’t have the rights for two of them.)
Nick and the boys get stuck in traffic and have to make a run for it once they see the fire tornado heading their way. We are now in full-on disaster movie territory.
The nurses get into the car to evacuate to another location because the fire continues to burn. Like, a FIRE TORNADO. Paradise has been completely devastated by the fires. We see shots of the ruined town, which could be real. It is very sad.
Nicole rushes to her mother to see if her boys have made it to the safe haven, but they aren’t there. Nicole doubles down on work and helps the sick and needy.
Nick and the boys arrive at the hospital, and the family is reunited. Nicole takes off her stethoscope and goes to be with her loved ones who matter most.
STRAY Thoughts
Chrissy Metz is a no-brainer for a Lifetime movie star. She is an Emmy-nominated actress who frequently creates faith-based films. If Lifetime wants to get into the space, she is a good window in.
The other three movies in the faith series are:
- “Before Your Father Finds Us,” starring Alexa PenaVega – July 26
- “If I Run,” starring Kat Graham – Aug. 2
- “Finding Faith,” starring Paula Patton – Aug. 9
Read About the Real Life Nicole Jolly:
Nichole Jolly is a registered nurse whose quick thinking and selflessness during the 2018 Camp Fire saved countless lives.
When flames threatened Adventist Health Feather River Hospital, Jolly and her colleagues evacuated 67 patients in under an hour, braving smoke and fire to ensure everyone’s safety. Even after escaping the burning hospital, Jolly continued to provide care—treating wounds, monitoring heart rates, and comforting terrified residents in makeshift triage areas outside the hospital.
Jolly’s commitment to her patients and her community did not end with the fire. She has been recognized for her advocacy on behalf of marginalized populations and her unwavering dedication to empowering the vulnerable. Her story is a testament to the vital role nurses play—not only as caregivers, but as leaders and heroes in times of crisis.
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Overall rating
Lifetime Tropes: Family, overcoming obstacles, Jesus?
Enjoyment Level (1-5 scale)
🍷🍷🍷 (3 Glasses of Wine)
Should you watch it?
Pour it Up (Give it a shot!)
Put a Cork in It (Skip It!)
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