Nic Cage’s New Horror Flick Is Already 2025’s Most Controversial Movie 1 Month Before Its Release

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I’m a huge Nicolas Cage fan, and let me tell you, his latest project is *exactly* the kind of wild ride you’d expect from him. It’s a really bold, almost over-the-top take on the early life of Jesus, framed as a horror story. The film, directed by Lotfy Nathan, is based on an ancient text called the *Infancy Gospel of Thomas*. Cage plays this really tormented father figure – they just call him ‘The Carpenter’ – with FKA Twigs as the Mother and Noah Jupe as the young boy at the heart of everything. Honestly, it’s so out there that it’s already caused a huge stir online, with everyone from critics to religious leaders weighing in, all before anyone’s even seen it! It’s definitely a project that isn’t afraid to push boundaries.

People are reacting strongly to the film, but that’s also what’s making many film lovers interested in seeing it. *The Carpenter’s Son* portrays miracles and moral dilemmas as unsettling and even frightening, which naturally draws comparisons to other controversial films like *The Last Temptation of Christ*. While some viewers find the story offensive, others see it as a thought-provoking exploration of faith, power, and innocence.

What Is The Carpenter’s Son About?

Nicolas Cage is known for taking risks in his roles, famously going to extremes like eating insects in *Vampire’s Kiss* and confronting cosmic terrors in *Color Out of Space*. He’s built a career on fearlessly pushing boundaries, often making it hard to tell where the acting ends and something else begins. However, his upcoming biblical horror film, *The Carpenter’s Son*, scheduled for release on November 14, 2025, could be his most daring – and potentially controversial – project yet.

Lotfy Nathan (director and writer of *Harka*) presents a unique story inspired by the *Infancy Gospel of Thomas*, an ancient and often debated Christian text. The film reimagines the tale of a boy with unusual abilities, raised in a secluded desert community with his loving mother (FKA Twigs) and a troubled father figure, known simply as “The Carpenter,” played by Nicolas Cage.

Early reports suggest *The Carpenter’s Son* tells the story of a boy—thought to be a young Jesus—who starts performing miracles that are unsettling and powerful. As strange, supernatural events target his family, their normal life falls apart, and the boy discovers a hidden, more complex part of himself. The film delves into the fear, wonder, and moral questions that arise when a divine child doesn’t fully grasp the impact of his abilities.

Featuring Noah Jupe (known from *A Quiet Place* and *Honey Boy*) as the Boy, early reviews describe the film as a surreal, biblical experience—a blend of arthouse horror and exorcism. Nicolas Cage not only stars but also produces *The Carpenter’s Son*, which intends to combine religious stories with disturbing body horror and intense psychological thrills. However, the movie has already sparked significant controversy before its release.

Why Is It Causing So Much Controversy?

Ever since a short preview was released this summer, people have been passionately discussing the upcoming film, *The Carpenter’s Son*. The preview featured quick cuts of unsettling religious scenes and suggested the film would contain violence, immediately causing controversy online. Many viewers labeled the movie blasphemous, and a fierce debate erupted on social media about whether it should have been greenlit.

Hollywood has often faced controversy with films exploring religion – think of movies like *The Exorcist* and *Mother!*. However, *The Carpenter’s Son* is stirring up extra debate because it presents a very different take on Jesus. Instead of portraying him as a flawless and gentle figure, the film depicts him as a powerful, and sometimes troubled, young man struggling to understand his abilities.

The current controversy is similar to the reaction to *The Last Temptation of Christ*, a film that also depicted Jesus in a way that offended many religious viewers. Both that film and Scorsese’s new work explore the internal conflict between Jesus’s divine and human sides. However, while *The Last Temptation* showed Jesus struggling with faith and worldly temptations, *The Carpenter’s Son* takes this idea a step further, proposing that the experience of divine power, when not fully comprehended, can appear frightening.

Lotfy Nathan’s film is described as intensely unsettling and visually striking. Initial reactions suggest it’s a deeply disturbing experience, using biblical imagery in a warped and nightmarish way. Many are comparing it to films like *The Witch* and *The Passion of the Christ* due to its haunting visuals and stark depiction of the desert landscape.

Despite the attention, many people believe the film goes too far morally. The *Daily Mail* reported strong protests from Christian groups who consider it deeply offensive to their faith. *Newsweek* noted that online, many Google users called it a disturbing and disrespectful depiction of Jesus, sparking heated debates on Reddit about whether it’s artistic expression or blasphemy. However you see it, *The Carpenter’s Son* has already succeeded in generating widespread conversation even before its release.

Is This Nic Cage’s Wildest Role Yet?

“The Carpenter’s Son” is a challenging film that won’t appeal to all viewers. If you’re looking for a typical retelling of a biblical story, you might be surprised by its strange violence and unclear emotions. However, those who enjoy Nicolas Cage’s more unusual films like *Mandy* and *Pig* might find this to be a return to his best work—a bold and unsettling look at faith and madness.

The key issue isn’t whether the movie is shocking, but if those shocks actually enhance the story. Similar to *The Last Temptation of Christ*, this film makes viewers grapple with difficult ideas about faith, what’s right and wrong, and our desire to be in control. It doesn’t offer easy answers, instead presenting a powerful and symbolic exploration of belief – showing how it can be both a blessing and a weight.

Despite some positive reception, even fans have noted the film pushes boundaries. Its intense and disturbing visuals – featuring scenes of crucifixion-like violence and dreamlike hallucinations – may turn off mainstream viewers. However, others believe its artistic boldness is a strength, suggesting that horror can be a thought-provoking way to explore religious themes when done well. Regardless of whether it’s considered a success or a failure, *The Carpenter’s Son* is sure to be a memorable film. It’s a daring mix of religion, art, and challenging ideas – qualities that are hallmarks of Nicolas Cage’s most unconventional roles.

Whether people like *The Carpenter’s Son* will come down to personal preference. Some will likely find it disrespectful to portray Jesus’s childhood as a horror story. However, others might find it an interesting idea to explore—what if the divine being of Jesus existed in a child who hadn’t yet realized his own power?

Just the premise of *The Carpenter’s Son* makes it one of the most daring films of 2025. Its success will likely depend on how viewers understand its meaning. Does the film ridicule religion, or attempt to explore it? Is it simply trying to shock, or is Nicolas Cage using horror to represent the frightening experience of gaining knowledge?

Nicolas Cage consistently chooses challenging and unconventional roles, and while his performance in this film might not fully justify its more intense scenes, it solidifies his image as an actor who avoids predictable choices. Similar to how Willem Dafoe’s portrayal of Jesus in *The Last Temptation of Christ* initially sparked debate but later achieved iconic status, Cage’s character in *The Carpenter’s Son* could become another memorable and provocative representation of faith. The film is already generating significant discussion, which suggests it’s had a real impact – and that’s quite remarkable.

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2025-10-13 00:43