‘The Carpenter’s Son’ Review: Nicolas Cage Can’t Save This Jesus Horror Thriller

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Okay, so I just saw The Carpenter’s Son, and it’s… complicated. I can already see how it’s going to upset some people, because it takes a really different angle on the story of Jesus’ early life. Honestly, while the idea had potential to be truly unsettling and thought-provoking, the movie just doesn’t quite deliver. It tries to tackle big themes – questioning faith, figuring out your purpose, resisting evil – but it feels all over the place. Noah Jupe and Isla Johnston are both really good in it, but their performances get lost in a lot of familiar horror clichés. It relies on things like jarring sounds, darkness, and pretty graphic visuals, but it just doesn’t scare you. Ultimately, it’s an uneven thriller that, sadly, I think I’ll forget pretty quickly.

The people in The Carpenter’s Son aren’t identified by name. The film opens with the Carpenter (Nicolas Cage) sheltering his wife, the Mother (FKA Twigs), in a cave as she gives birth. A strange light appears during the delivery, and the Carpenter, both amazed and confused, prays for help. Meanwhile, King Herod’s soldiers are carrying out a terrible order: they’re burning all baby boys under two years old. The couple desperately tries to conceal their newborn son while the other mothers in the village cry out in fear.

Fifteen years have passed, and a young boy and his parents are wandering through a barren landscape in Egypt. The father, known as the Carpenter, is constantly praying, troubled by unsettling rumors and the presence of a frightening woman (Elena Topalidou) who seems to be following them. They reach a small village where the Carpenter finds work as a sculptor, making idols. The family makes their home in a small stone hut with a stable, and each night, the Carpenter carefully spreads dirt around the entrances to see if any demonic creatures have approached.

The Carpenter makes the Boy pray, but his Mother thinks the Carpenter is being too strict. The Boy then becomes fascinated with their quiet neighbor, Lilith, who is kind and lovely. However, another girl, marked by scars, begins to watch him closely. This stranger tempts the Boy away from his work, promising to show him something interesting.

Lotfy Nathan, the director known for films like 12 O’Clock Boys and Harka, presents a new take on the story of Jesus’ birth and childhood, filled with uncertainty and questioning. The film centers on Joseph, who wrestles with the idea of Jesus being conceived through a virgin birth. While he felt a divine presence at the time, he’s now left feeling empty and lost. Despite his doubts, he faithfully cares for Mary and Jesus, believing this is what he’s meant to do. But he can’t shake the fear that it’s all a deception. Is Jesus illegitimate? Is Mary, the woman he loves, dishonorable? As his prayers go unanswered, Joseph’s faith begins to break down, and he wonders if he’s been a naive fool.


Magnolia

The Boy is going through a difficult time, plagued by disturbing dreams about how he will die. He also wonders if the harsh Carpenter is truly his father. At the same time, he’s discovering a powerful ability within himself that he wants to express. Both the Carpenter and his Mother notice this growing power. The Mother believes he is special, even divine, but the Carpenter isn’t so sure. He begins to fear and resent the very person he was meant to protect, questioning if he’s raised someone with dangerous magical abilities.

It’s important to acknowledge that some readers will likely find The Carpenter’s Son offensive due to its religious themes. The story suggests Joseph, Jesus’s earthly father, struggles with doubt and mistrust, which challenges traditional Christian beliefs. However, exploring these very human emotions is a valuable artistic choice. A husband questioning his role in raising a child who might not be his own is a relatable issue outside of a religious context, and Joseph’s continued skepticism is understandable – he longs for further confirmation from God, a desire that ironically clashes with the very nature of faith.

One major issue is the Carpenter’s strange, single-minded reaction to the Boy. It’s surprising he doesn’t show any love or compassion for a child he’s raised from birth. Why go to such lengths if he fundamentally feels betrayed? Nicolas Cage portrays the Carpenter as purely bitter and angry, which feels limited. A little kindness or warmth towards his son, given their history, would make the performance more believable. Furthermore, abandoning and failing to protect the Boy would be a grave moral failing. While we understand his internal struggles, the Carpenter character needs a more complex and layered portrayal.


Magnolia

In The Carpenter’s Son, the Mother character frequently vanishes from the story. While she appears when needed for emotional impact, she’s strangely absent during much of the plot. The narrative doesn’t explain where she is when her son is traveling or being confined by her husband. Considering she’s a key element to the story, Twigs’ lack of presence is noticeable. Mary shouldn’t be a minor character in Jesus’ upbringing, so Nathan had to expand her role to ensure she’s present during the Carpenter’s internal struggles.

The movie The Carpenter’s Son is saved from being truly bad by Jupe and, especially, the actor playing Johnston, who is fantastic. While the film avoids typical jump scares, it never manages to be genuinely frightening. The strongest part of the story is seeing the Boy discover how powerful he is and how the Stranger tries to influence him. If the movie had centered solely on that relationship and connected it directly to the idea of Jesus’ sacrifice, it could have been much more impactful.

The Carpenter’s Son will be released theatrically on November 14 from Magnolia Pictures.

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2025-11-14 20:48