Get ready for a biblical horror like no other as Lotfy Nathan's The Carpenter's Son, starring Nicolas Cage and Noah Jupe, hits theaters very soon. This genre-bending film promises a dark, mysterious take on a familiar story.

TL;DR: Quick Facts About This Controversial Film

  • Nicolas Cage takes on the role of "The Carpenter" alongside FKA Twigs as "The Mother" and Noah Jupe as "The Boy" in a unique horror film.
  • The Carpenter's Son re-imagines Jesus's childhood as a supernatural thriller where young "The Boy" encounters a mysterious stranger, revealed to be Satan.
  • Directed by British-American visionary filmmaker Lotfy Nathan, the movie is set to debut in theaters on November 14, 2025, delivered by Magnolia Pictures.
A Remote Roman-Era Egyptian Village Explodes into Supernatural Conflict

Imagine a quiet, remote village in Roman-era Egypt. Now, picture that tranquility shattered by spiritual warfare, all because a humble carpenter, his wife, and their teenage son, Jesus, arrive. This is the intriguing setup for Lotfy Nathan's experimental film, The Carpenter's Son, described as a dark, mysterious, horror spin on the story of Jesus.

The film doesn't pull its punches, diving headfirst into a world where faith and tradition clash with demonic power. It promises unshakeable images and a truly wild ride, inspired by a text most people might not even know exists.

Unveiling the Dark Plot: Temptation, Visions, and Demonic Encounter

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The core of The Carpenter's Son centers on Joseph (Nicolas Cage), Mary (FKA Twigs), and their son Jesus (Noah Jupe), known simply as "The Boy." They've been living under threat for years, clinging to their faith. But a seemingly innocent stopover in a small settlement changes everything.

A mysterious stranger, played by Isla Johnston, enters the scene, trying to lure young Jesus away from his devout father's rules. With each tempting pull, "The Boy" finds himself drawn into a forbidden world. Joseph, terrified, soon realizes a demonic power is at work. Violent, unnatural events begin to follow Jesus, and he starts experiencing disturbing, nightmarish visions of the future. The fearsome truth is eventually revealed: his new playmate's real name is Satan.

The Stellar Cast Bringing This Vision to Life on Screen

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Director Lotfy Nathan has assembled a truly fantastic cast to bring this controversial vision to the big screen. Leading the charge is Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage as "The Carpenter," Joseph, continuing his streak of taking on unique and challenging roles.

Joining him is singer and actress FKA Twigs, who portrays "The Mother," Mary. Noah Jupe, recognized for his work in the A Quiet Place franchise, steps into the pivotal role of "The Boy," Jesus. Isla Johnston, known from The Queen's Gambit, embodies the mysterious stranger, Satan, with Souheila Yacoub (Dune: Part Two), Kaiti Manolidaki, Penelope Markopoulou, Tomer Lev Tov, and newcomer Erato Tziveleki also featured in the cast. Source: [JoBlo.com, "The Carpenter’s Son: Nicolas Cage’s Jesus-inspired horror film gets its final trailer", 2025-11-08]

Behind the Scenes: A Visionary Filmmaker's Creative Journey

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The driving force behind this genre-bending film is British-American visionary filmmaker Lotfy Nathan. Nathan is no stranger to crafting compelling narratives, having previously directed the acclaimed dirt-biking documentary 12 O'Clock Boys and the 2022 drama Harka. His Coptic Christian background reportedly inspired his approach to this meticulously crafted project.

Nathan not only directed but also penned the screenplay for The Carpenter's Son. He drew inspiration from the apocryphal Infancy Gospel of Thomas, a 2nd-century AD text that recounts stories from Jesus's childhood. Producing the film are Brahim Chioua, Eva Diederix, Alex Hughes, Yiannis Iakovidis, Eugene Kotlyarenko, Riccardo Maddalosso, Vincent Maraval, Solène Michel, Julie Viez, and Nicolas Cage. Nathan himself is also listed among the executive producers. Source: [FirstShowing.net, "Trailer #2 for 'The Carpenter's Son' Jesus Thriller Starring Cage & Jupe", 2025-11-07]

The Stirring of Spiritual Warfare and Public Debate

Even before its release, The Carpenter's Son has sparked discussion, particularly concerning its source material. The film is based on the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, which is considered an apocryphal text. This means it's a religious writing that, while claiming to be divinely inspired, has not been officially accepted into the canon of sacred scripture by mainstream Christian traditions.

For some, this choice of inspiration is a deliberate provocation. Sam Hailes, in an opinion piece for Christian Today, expressed his decision not to watch the film, stating that Hollywood making a horror film based on a "Gospel" never considered authentic by any part of the Church for 2,000 years feels like "being trolled." He suggests that while typically he avoids getting "worked up" about films, this one crosses a line. Source: [Christian Today, "Nicholas Cage is starring in this ‘biblical horror’. I won’t be watching it", 2025-11-05]

This perspective highlights a potential tension: the film's artistic freedom to explore themes versus its interpretation by a religious audience. While some may view it as a fresh, dark take on a well-known figure, others may see it as disrespectful or misleading due to its use of a non-canonical text.

For instance, imagine a film enthusiast, Sarah, who enjoys Nicolas Cage's recent roles and is intrigued by horror. She sees the trailer for The Carpenter's Son and is immediately drawn in by the supernatural elements and unique premise. However, her friend Mark, a devout Christian, expresses discomfort after learning about the film's apocryphal source material, suggesting it might misrepresent important religious figures. Sarah then faces a tradeoff: watch a film that looks artistically compelling but might offend her friend's beliefs, or skip it. This scenario demonstrates the real-world impact such controversial artistic choices can have on audiences and their viewing habits.

Release Details and What to Expect from This Intense Film

Magnolia Pictures will be bringing Lotfy Nathan's The Carpenter's Son to theaters. The film is officially set to debut on November 14, 2025. It will be available in select US theaters, with some sources indicating a nationwide release. The final trailer, released recently, is full of dark visions and unsettling imagery, reinforcing the promise of a film "filled with evil." Source: [HorrorFuel.com, "'The Carpenter’s Son’s’ Final Trailer Teases a Dark, Disturbing Film", 2025-11-05]

If you're looking for a supernatural thriller that pushes boundaries and offers a truly unique, potentially controversial, narrative, then this one might be for your must-watch list. Just be prepared for a vision of Jesus's youth unlike anything you've seen before.

FAQs About The Carpenter's Son

When does The Carpenter's Son release?

The Carpenter's Son is set to release in theaters on November 14, 2025.

Where can I watch The Carpenter's Son?

Magnolia Pictures will be releasing The Carpenter's Son in select US theaters, with some outlets indicating a nationwide theatrical release.

What is The Carpenter's Son based on?

The film is inspired by the apocryphal Infancy Gospel of Thomas, a 2nd-century AD text recounting stories from Jesus Christ's childhood.

Who is in the cast of The Carpenter's Son?

The main cast includes Nicolas Cage as The Carpenter (Joseph), FKA Twigs as The Mother (Mary), Noah Jupe as The Boy (Jesus), and Isla Johnston as the mysterious stranger (Satan). Souheila Yacoub, Kaiti Manolidaki, Penelope Markopoulou, Tomer Lev Tov, and Erato Tziveleki also feature.

Sources
  • FirstShowing.net - "Trailer #2 for 'The Carpenter's Son' Jesus Thriller Starring Cage & Jupe" - November 7, 2025
  • Dark Horizons - "Magnolia Pictures" - November 8, 2025
  • Christian Today - "Nicholas Cage is starring in this ‘biblical horror’. I won’t be watching it" - Sam Hailes, November 5, 2025
  • JoBlo.com - "The Carpenter’s Son: Nicolas Cage’s Jesus-inspired horror film gets its final trailer" - Cody Hamman, November 8, 2025
  • HorrorFuel.com - "'The Carpenter’s Son’s’ Final Trailer Teases a Dark, Disturbing Film" - Kelli Marchman McNeely, November 5, 2025
  • ComingSoon.net - "Nicolas Cage Jesus Horror Movie The Carpenter’s Son Gets Creepy New Trailer" - Maggie Dela Paz, November 6, 2025