Isaac Lui

2/5 Stars: Bold Vision, Broken Character I come to The Carpenter's Son with a conflicted heart. As a Southern Baptist Christian and a film student, I want to champion artistic boldness. A filmmaker should film what they want, and I respect director's commitment to realizing such a dark, conceptually intriguing story. The concept, which pulls from the controversial Infancy Gospel of Thomas, is certainly interesting, and I can see the potential for strong cinematography and acting. However, a good film hinges on its story and its characters, and this is where The Carpenter's Son fundamentally fails. The Problem of Character My disappointment stems not from feeling attacked, but from a profound feeling of thematic misinterpretation. Jesus is the ultimate figure of compassion and unconditional love. His victory over the world, as depicted in scripture, was accomplished through selfless suffering—sacrificing himself to defeat death, Satan's only true weapon. This film seems to replace that profound, spiritual victory with a juvenile power fantasy. The portrayal of young Jesus as a wielder of supernatural power, or even a 'slayer of demons'—while perhaps "cool" on a surface level—is an adaptation choice that crosses a critical thematic line. Jesus is the King of Kings; His authority comes from The Word, not from a conqueror's might. He is God become flesh, choosing humility and the cross over displays of raw power. Final Verdict I wouldn't call the film blasphemy; it is clearly operating within its own horror framework. But ultimately, it confuses the essence of who Jesus is. It's a missed opportunity that chooses superficial shock value over profound character truth. For that reason—the failure to grasp the true thematic power of its central figure—I must give The Carpenter's Son a disappointed two stars. I'll likely skip watching it, not out of offense, but because I’m not a fan of horror, and this reinterpretation of Christ is simply not the story I need to see.