Horror Movie Review: The Carpenter’s Son (2025)

Imagine if you will, a film starring Nicolas Cage. That’s not that unusual, sure. Now imagine that FKA Twigs plays his wife. A little unusual, considering the age gap, but that’s acting for you and both are capable enough. So, now throw in Noah Jupe as their son, sort of, in the case of Nic Cage’s character, and base the film in ancient times.

A period piece. No big deal, right? Well, how about it being a film based on the gospel about the childhood of Jesus aka The Infancy Gospel of Thomas. Where Nic Cage plays Joseph, FKA Twigs plays Mary, and Noah Jupe plays Jesus. Although none are given those names in the actual film. Now things have gone off the deep end, right? Well, did I mention it’s also supposed to be a horror film?

The Carpenter’s Son seems like an ill-conceived idea from the very start, even if the trepidation most will feel will also come with some excitement. A horror film that deals with Jesus’ teenage years and Satan’s (Isla Johnston) attempts to lead him into a life of sin. All while Mary broods (FKA Twigs is very good at that), and Joseph wonders if he hasn’t been duped by both her and the God he has spent his life devoted to.

If you’re thinking that all of this sounds a bit… blasphemous, it is to some degree, but writer and director Lotfy Nathan hasn’t sought to offend believers with this film, rather he has sought to challenge. In fact, I would argue that he should have gone a lot further and really upped the horror. If you’re going to have Jesus be tempted by Satan, have him question his parentage, and have him deal with teenage angst, really go all in on that.

Unfortunately, it’s all bit meh. Especially as the film can’t decide if the story is about Jesus or Joseph. Which I understand to some degree. This is Nicolas Cage playing Joseph, you have to give him screen time and let him be himself, but inevitably, the role ends up stealing focus from the others. Which, again, could be a good thing as far as entertainment goes, but this is an understated Cage role, one more akin to a dramatic performance than a horror film performance. Is he good? Absolutely, but I would argue that he’s no better than anyone else.

Dare I say, he’s quite ordinary here.

The Carpenter’s Son is the kind of film you watch waiting for it to get really good and then it just ends. The kind of film that has enjoyable moments, is capable of building some tension, and has a certain amount of authenticity in its performances and locations but ends up feeling quite flat and lifeless. I won’t go as far as to call it boring, as I found myself quite engaged with the development aspects of Jupe’s Jesus and really liked Isla Johnston’s portrayal of Satan, but it doesn’t excite.

A film like this needed to be so much more, instead, aside from the blasphemous content (which most won’t care about anyway), it’s far too tame and far too safe. Satan never stood a chance, unfortunately.