Digital Phablet – A new film about Jesus starring Nicolas Cage faces criticism from Christians around the world.
Sean Combs sentenced to 50 months in prison by federal judgeMany Christians are expressing frustration over Nicolas Cage’s controversial film depicting the early life of Jesus, even prior to its release. Critics argue that the biblical horror film The Carpenter’s Son distorts religious teachings for entertainment purposes.
The film features Cage portraying Joseph, the biological father of Jesus, and has already generated significant online backlash, including a 1.3-star rating out of 5 on Google Reviews, more than a month before its scheduled release on November 14.
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Someone remarked that the film industry would never treat other religions in the same way, accusing filmmakers of altering sacred stories for profit. Another questioned Cage’s decision to participate in a project they believed was offensive to Christian beliefs.
A few individuals found interest in the project, with debates on whether it marked a bold creative step or a significant mistake. One person suggested it could be a groundbreaking moment in cinematic history or an outright failure.
Another commenter mentioned that seeing Nicolas Cage in a religious horror film was unexpectedly refreshing.
A brief overview of the movie, its cast, and its storyline:
The Carpenter's Son, directed by Lofty Nathan and produced by Magnolia Pictures, draws inspiration from the lesser-known Infancy Gospel of Thomas.
The setting is a small village in Egypt during the Roman era. The story centers around Joseph, a devout carpenter striving to protect his family from supernatural threats.
British actor Noah Jupe plays a young Jesus, while FKA Twigs portrays Mary. Isla Johnston appears as The Stranger, a threatening figure who tries to lead Jesus down an uncharted path.
In the trailer, Cage’s character grapples with thoughts of death while maintaining his faith, as his son begins to encounter violent, mysterious events and terrifying images. The storyline suggests that a monster is after the child, making it difficult for Joseph to keep him safe.
Cage received praise for his role in the 2024 horror film Longlegs. He has stated that horror movies allow actors to experiment with more exaggerated and surreal styles of performance, breaking away from strict realism.
The Bible contains four primary books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. However, there are also writings outside of the canonical texts; one of the most recognized is the Infancy Gospel of Thomas.
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas belongs to a group called Gnostic gospels, which are ancient texts from a different tradition than the four canonical gospels, which are officially recognized and included in the Bible. These Gnostic writings are not part of the Bible's official collection, known as the "canon."
All four canonical gospels were written around the year 100 CE, while the Gnostic texts, including the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, were created much later, often long after the apostles' time.
