Ruling of the Heart

Judge Edward Morgan is known for quick, uncompromising verdicts and a habit of treating cases as rulings rather than people. When a sudden snowstorm strands him in a small cafe, he ends up stuck with two patrons who were recently on the receiving end of his courtroom decisions. The night turns into a tense, sometimes raw exchange as personal histories and overlooked details come out. As stories are told and identities shift, the judge and the others have to reckon with the human fallout of past rulings, and loyalties and assumptions get tested without tipping into any major plot reveals.

Released in 2018, the film was directed by Brian Brough from a story created by Spanky Dustin Ward. Ruling of the Heart is presented as a compact character drama featuring Randall Malin as Judge Morgan, with Robert Milo Andrus, Bailey Heesch, Jill Adler, and Cate Allen rounding out the ensemble.

The movie had a limited release and played on the festival circuit, with no widely reported box office totals. Its distribution was aimed at independent and regional venues rather than a wide commercial rollout.

Among viewers who saw it, the film sparked conversations about how judges see defendants and how public roles conceal private wounds. Small screening groups and discussion panels used the movie to talk about courtroom culture, accountability, and whether brief interactions can change entrenched attitudes.

Critical and audience response was mixed, reflected in a 6.0/10 vote average. Many noted the film's focus on dialogue and moral tension over action, and responses often highlighted the performances and the way the story forces characters to explain choices they made under pressure. Themes include justice versus mercy, the impact of decisions on ordinary lives, and the difficulty of listening when your job trains you not to.