THE CARPENTER’S SON (2025) Written and Directed by Lotfy Nathan / Cinematographer: Simon Beaufils (2.35: 1) / Design: Jean-Vincent Puzos / Editors: Sophie Corra, Guillaume Fusil, & Monika Willi / Composer: Lorenz Dangel / Acted by: Nicolas Cage, Noah Jupe, FKA twigs, Isla Johnston, Souheila Yacoub, & Elena Topalidou / Countries of Origin: Britain & France / Distributor: Magnolia Pictures / Rated R / Length: 94 mins.
Other than the fact that he is a prolific actor eager to appear in as many different genres as there are movies, what was it about this variation on I Was an Adolescent Jesus that prompted Nicolas Cage to invest both time and money (he receives producer’s credit) in The Carpenter’s Son, a film most likely to bore both disciple and Cageophile thoroughly stiff? The impetus behind Cage’s involvement with the film can be found on the IMDB trivia page. Petty trivia, to be exact. Following director Robert Eggers' statement that he couldn't envision Cage in one of his movies, the actor assigned his agent to search for the script that most closely resembled an Eggers film. If looking good is the best revenge, Cage would have been better off borrowing a couple of cups of chiaroscuro by hiring Eggers’ regular cinematographer Jarin Blaschke. What's the story? According to noted theologian A.I. Overview, the film is based on “The Infancy Gospel of Thomas,” an “apocryphal text that describes miraculous and often violent events in Jesus' childhood, from age five to twelve.” The birth of Christ that opens the picture is told in a relatively traditional way. It isn’t until a newborn is tossed in the fire pit that the film takes a decided turn towards horror. Writer-director Lotfy Nathan’s shows real ambition by attempting to land a rare triple storytelling maneuver — horror, biblical, and avant-garde. But the film falls short in all three genres. The Holy Family are referred to as The Carpenter (Cage), The Boy (Noah Jupe), and The Mother (FKA Twigs). Lilith (Souheila Yacoub) is the only character with a name insstead of a descriptor. How many devotees are going to pay top dollar to see a Cage film with religious overtones? Probably the same number of true believers refusing to spread the gospel via a Christ parable that refuses to call Jesus by name. *
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THE CARPENTER’S SON (2025) Written and Directed by Lotfy Nathan / Cinematographer: Simon Beaufils (2.35: 1) / Design: Jean-Vincent Puzos / Editors: Sophie Corra, Guillaume Fusil, & Monika Willi / Composer: Lorenz Dangel / Acted by: Nicolas Cage, Noah Jupe, FKA twigs, Isla Johnston, Souheila Yacoub, & Elena Topalidou / Countries of Origin: Britain & France / Distributor: Magnolia Pictures / Rated R / Length: 94 mins.
Other than the fact that he is a prolific actor eager to appear in as many different genres as there are movies, what was it about this variation on I Was an Adolescent Jesus that prompted Nicolas Cage to invest both time and money (he receives producer’s credit) in The Carpenter’s Son, a film most likely to bore both disciple and Cageophile thoroughly stiff? The impetus behind Cage’s involvement with the film can be found on the IMDB trivia page. Petty trivia, to be exact. Following director Robert Eggers' statement that he couldn't envision Cage in one of his movies, the actor assigned his agent to search for the script that most closely resembled an Eggers film. If looking good is the best revenge, Cage would have been better off borrowing a couple of cups of chiaroscuro by hiring Eggers’ regular cinematographer Jarin Blaschke. What's the story? According to noted theologian A.I. Overview, the film is based on “The Infancy Gospel of Thomas,” an “apocryphal text that describes miraculous and often violent events in Jesus' childhood, from age five to twelve.” The birth of Christ that opens the picture is told in a relatively traditional way. It isn’t until a newborn is tossed in the fire pit that the film takes a decided turn towards horror. Writer-director Lotfy Nathan’s shows real ambition by attempting to land a rare triple storytelling maneuver — horror, biblical, and avant-garde. But the film falls short in all three genres. The Holy Family are referred to as The Carpenter (Cage), The Boy (Noah Jupe), and The Mother (FKA Twigs). Lilith (Souheila Yacoub) is the only character with a name insstead of a descriptor. How many devotees are going to pay top dollar to see a Cage film with religious overtones? Probably the same number of true believers refusing to spread the gospel via a Christ parable that refuses to call Jesus by name. *
Now playing:
Regal Edwards Rancho San Diego
Regal Edwards Mira Mesa
AMC Palm Promenade 24
AMC UTC 14
AMC Fashion Valley 18