Nicolas Cage's latest cinematic venture, a horror film depicting the childhood of Jesus Christ titled 'The Carpenter's Son', is being hailed as one of the most profound and original films of 2025. Despite facing pre-release accusations of blasphemy from some quarters, the movie is a deeply moving and thought-provoking exploration that defies easy categorisation.
A Bold Take on Untold Biblical Stories
Directed and written by Lofty Nathan, the film draws from the apocryphal gospels of early Christians, focusing on events from the early life of Jesus not officially covered in the Bible. This source material provides the creative freedom to imagine the historical reality of this period.
In the film, Jesus is known simply as 'the Boy', portrayed by Noah Jupe. He lives with 'the Mother', played by FKA twigs, and 'the Carpenter', a role taken on by Nicolas Cage. The family leads a transient life, constantly on the run to protect their son from those who perceive him as a threat, including King Herod, whose soldiers are seen tossing babies into fires in Bethlehem shortly after the Boy's birth.
Nicolas Cage's Powerful Performance as Joseph
The film delves into the intense psychological strain on the family, particularly on Joseph, the Carpenter. Cage delivers a compelling performance as a devout but harsh figure struggling with the divine test he believes he has been given. The film does not shy away from the tensions between him and the Boy, whom he knows is not his biological son.
While the film employs an accent-blind approach, which can be slightly jarring when hearing Cage's distinctive American drawl alongside British accents, his acting prowess shines through. A standout moment features a classic 'Cage freakout', where he screams at his wife about his shattered faith, a scene described as both intensely powerful and perfectly judged for the character's pain.
More Than Just a Horror Film
While technically a psychological horror, 'The Carpenter's Son' successfully blends multiple genres, including family drama, historical epic, spiritual film, and biopic. The horror elements are intelligently woven into the narrative, primarily focusing on the Boy's temptation by Satan, depicted as an androgynous girl, 'the Stranger', played by Isla Johnston.
The film's most potent horror arises from themes of possession, with victims writhing in pain, vomiting black sludge, and speaking in tongues. These elements are atmospherically and psychologically terrifying, creating a sense of unease about how far the narrative will go. Viewers should also be warned of the significant presence of snakes, fitting for a story involving Satan and demonic forces.
Noah Jupe's portrayal of the Boy captures a restless teenager plagued by visions of his future crucifixion and resurrection, his healing gifts growing in power and becoming increasingly difficult to conceal.
Release Details and Final Verdict
'The Carpenter's Son' carries a 15 age rating and has a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It is set for a US cinema release on November 14, followed by its UK and Irish cinema debut on November 21.
Despite the noise from critics who have not yet seen the film, 'The Carpenter's Son' is a genuinely profound movie that deserves to be judged on its own merits. It is a provocative work in the best sense, aiming to stimulate thought about the early life of a pivotal religious figure rather than to bait or disrespect believers. It stands as a testament to the fact that a horror film can be so much more than the genre's typical offerings, emerging as one of the most intriguing and original cinematic experiences of the year.
