What happens when one of the most sacred stories is looked upon in the darkest light? This is the question director Lofty Nathan asked as he produced the 2025 film “The Carpenter’s Son”. This film has captivated early audiences and sparked wide controversy as it depicts a young Jesus, who is portrayed as “The Boy.” The movie portrays him as a figure with unworldly powers, performing miracles that are often quite disturbing with dangerous and unexpected consequences. But beyond the stunning visuals and historic background, the film dives deeper into an uncomfortable question: is it morally acceptable to create a violent and disturbing film about a religious figure?
Director Lofty Nathan said while creating the movie, he drew heavy influence from “The Infancy Gospel of Thomas,” an ancient apocryphal text not included in the canonical bible, the main book followed by Christianity and Judaism. In this text, Jesus is depicted as a powerful and at times violent child, who performs shocking miracles. For example, he is shown raising a child from the dead, but kills others over minor disputes. The film falls on this darker and more ambitious portrayal, which many view as a direct affront to the traditional belief in Jesus’ perfect nature.
The Carpenter’s Son has been described as an act of blasphemy, with critics arguing that its portrayal of Jesus is insulting and downright cruel. The film’s depiction of “The Boy” as a being with dangerous abilities is seen not as artistic interpretation, but rather as an act of religious propaganda. Enzo Dizon, a former Green Hope student and practicing Christian argued that, “[Jesus] is not meant to be portrayed as a deadly, scary looking figure”. Enzo shares the belief of many christians that have heard about this film: “The Carpenter’s Son” is insulting to the religion Christianity.
However, some christians have a different, more accepting outlook. A statement from Helena Hettich(‘26) the club president of the Green Hope Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and a life-long Christian believes that “People are entitled to their own belief, and if they want to make that they can.” She also said, “I wouldn’t think of it as an attack on Christianity but I could see why some would.” It’s important to recognize that not all Christians believe the film is an act of blasphemy or should be cancelled, and on the other hand, not all atheists support the film. The public has expressed numerous thoughts on the matter, despite the movie not being released until November of 2025.
Due to its controversial portrayal of Jesus and its categorization as a religious horror film, “The Carpenter’s Son” is likely to make waves in the film industry. With the movie already angering many and shocking others before its release, but does this film deserve to be taken down or is it just a form of creative expression? The question remains unanswered.
