Alt-Jesus retelling ‘The Carpenter’s Son’ is worse than blasphemous — it’s boring

by

What would Jesus do if his early years were told as an unremarkable horror film?

This film seems like a chance for forgiveness – and easy forgetting. “The Carpenter’s Son” is a bleak, low-budget take on the biblical story, and it wastes a potentially interesting idea: Nicolas Cage playing a troubled Joseph unsure of his son’s origins.

Lotfy Nathan, the writer and director, based his film on an ancient, unofficial story called the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, which tells tales of Jesus’s mischievous childhood. While not part of the official Bible, Nathan sees plenty of dramatic potential in this non-canonical text. His film reimagines the story as a superhero origin story: a young boy (Noah Jupe) flees danger with his deeply religious father (Nicolas Cage) and otherworldly mother (FKA Twigs), and must overcome a series of frightening challenges to unlock his powers.

The story begins with a raw and realistic depiction of Jesus’ birth – a far cry from the peaceful scenes often shown in Christmas displays. We see a difficult labor, lit by torches, and a clear indication of who is being born. As the birth occurs, a voice warns, “They’re coming for him,” and the mother’s cries of pain blend with the screams of other women whose babies are being taken and killed. The new family narrowly avoids the king’s soldiers and flees to safety.

Awards

The actor has experienced both success and setbacks in his career. He received great praise for his recent film, ‘Pig,’ and is excited about what the future holds.

The story jumps forward in time to when the boy is fifteen – a moody, withdrawn teenager haunted by disturbing visions of the crucifixion. The group finds refuge in a secluded community offering a chance at a normal life, but under the watchful eye of the Carpenter, who insists on strict measures to ward off evil: sealed windows, constant prayer, cleanliness, and ensuring the boy continues his education. A beautiful, silent girl named Lilith (Souheila Yacoub) catches his eye, but it’s a mysterious, gender-neutral young person named Isla Johnston, marked with scars, who really grabs his attention, encouraging him to rebel and offering a bleak perspective on his future.

The mysterious stranger’s question – “You know who I am, but who are you?” – feels like a childish taunt dressed up as deep thinking. The director, Nathan, doesn’t hide anything, really, but his straightforward approach makes the movie feel repetitive. As for the rebellious Jesus character, he’s discovering his abilities and is hailed as either a hero or a villain. Ultimately, though, he’s just another unremarkable young character in a film.

“The Carpenter’s Son” delivers a dull origin story with simplistic visuals, over-the-top gore, and a bland soundtrack. It’s particularly disappointing to see Nicolas Cage, sporting an unfortunate haircut, stuck with uninspired lines about faith and fear, and portraying a character who feels strangely subdued and lifeless.

“The Carpenter’s Son” proposes a provocative and potentially controversial story: a teenage Jesus tempted by Satan. However, preventing Nicolas Cage from tackling religious themes feels like a missed opportunity for filmmaking.

Read More

2025-11-14 23:31