Nicolas Cage’s ‘The Carpenter’s Son’ Reimagines a Lost Gospel as a Supernatural Thriller

A new film starring Nicolas Cage brings a controversial ancient text to the big screen. “The Carpenter’s Son” is a supernatural thriller based on the Infancy Gospel of Thomas. The movie opens in theaters this Friday.

The project explores the childhood of Jesus, a period not detailed in the Bible. According to the Associated Press, the film follows a young Jesus being tempted by Satan.

Ancient Text Provides a Novel Origin Story

The Infancy Gospel of Thomas dates to the second century. It was popular among early Christians but never made it into the New Testament. The text details events from Jesus’s life between ages 5 and 12.

Filmmaker Lotfy Nathan saw its potential for a fresh story. He called it a compelling origin story that hadn’t been told before. The film stars FKA twigs and Noah Jupe alongside Cage.

Navigating a Challenging Narrative and Modern Controversy

The original text presented narrative challenges for the screenplay. Nathan described it as a laundry list of events without a clear story arc. He worked with historians to fill in the gaps for a coherent film.

The movie has already drawn criticism from some conservative groups. The American Family Association has denounced the film. Cage emphasized the project was made with love and respect, not mockery.

The release of “The Carpenter’s Son” marks a bold entry into biblical storytelling. This Nicolas Cage film offers a new perspective on a sacred figure. It brings a forgotten ancient text into the modern cinematic spotlight.

Thought you’d like to know-

What is the Infancy Gospel of Thomas?

It is an ancient text from the 2nd century detailing Jesus’s childhood. It was popular among early Christians but is not part of the Bible. The text describes miracles and events from his youth.

Is ‘The Carpenter’s Son’ a horror movie?

Nicolas Cage described it more as a family drama about an existential crisis. The film is marketed as a supernatural thriller. It focuses on the dynamic within the Holy Family.

How historically significant is the source text?

According to experts, the text was widely read for centuries. Its stories influenced ancient Christian art and even medieval plays. One story about Jesus making clay birds appears in the Quran.

Has this gospel been adapted for film before?

Yes, the 2016 film “The Young Messiah” also drew from this text. That film reimagined some of the more troubling events. Both films reinterpret the apocryphal stories for modern audiences.

Why is this film controversial?

Some Christian groups object to its non-biblical portrayal of Jesus. They argue it conflicts with the character shown in the canonical Gospels. The filmmakers state the intention was never to offend.