Nicolas Cage’s upcoming controversial biblical horror film about Jesus’ childhood has been blasted by Christians and labeled as ‘blasphemous.’ 

Earlier this week, on Wednesday, the initial official trailer for The Carpenter’s Son was released to a range of reactions, showcasing the 61-year-old actor portraying Joseph.

The unconventional retelling of the biblical story – which will be released in theaters on November 14 – is based on the apocryphal Infancy Gospel of Thomas according to writer and director Lofty Nathan. 

Since the film’s initial announcement, some have slammed the project on social media while one accused Hollywood of turning ‘scripture into horror.’ 

On Google Reviews, the movie currently holds a 1.3/5 rating – over a month before it premieres in theaters. 

‘I will not see this movie,’ one penned on Google. ‘A horror movie about Jesus is just not right. 

‘Why not just make him a super hero too!!! @Hollywood’s trying anything to make money well they won’t get mine.’ 

Another wrote, ‘This movie is disgusting. I can’t even bring myself to watch it and i don’t know who in their right mind would. but “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows” Galatians 6:7.’

One shared, ‘This is extremely offensive to Christianity, you can’t be twisting people’s religions for entertainment. 

‘You wouldn’t make a movie like this about any other religion and if there was one it would get canceled right away. Just because Christianity is a popular religion doesn’t mean it’s okay to mock it or twist it for entertainment.’  

Another said on Google, ‘I hate the fact that they made a horror movie about Jesus, it’s not pertinent, and I also think that it could be take[n] as a very offensive movie for people who believe in him. 

‘I respect every religion, and I think that everyone should do it, if others want to be respected, they have to respect too. I have nothing against the actors or anyone, but of the story and mocking Jesus, it’s really offensive.’   

Over on X, others held similar opinions with one penning when the trailer dropped, ‘Ridiculous. Boycott it. Protest it. Cancel it.’ 

Another added, ‘Mocking Christ with a woke cast let’s see how this turns out,’ and one shared, ‘BLASPHEMY! How dare they.’ 

‘Hollywood really can’t resist twisting scripture into horror,’ one X user said. 

‘Why out of all things do you want to mock Jesus Christ,’ a viewer expressed, while another commented, ‘There is no “dark side” on Jesus Christ. Away with this blasphemy.’ 

One typed out, ‘Thats a really bad idea,’ and another wrote, ‘They want to destroy and desecrate Christianity.’ 

‘Blasphemy. Lost all respect for Nic Cage smh,’ a fan said, while one penned, ‘So we’re fine with mocking Christianity, but other religions are off limits?’ 

In the movie, Cage took on the role of Joseph while young Jesus is played by British actor Noah Jupe – who is known for The Quiet Place movies and Wonder – and Mary his mother is portrayed by singer FKA Twigs.

‘What awaits us when we turn at last to death?’ Cage as Joseph is heard saying at the start of the two minute clip as he stands on a clifftop under a darkened sky.’

‘Let my faith endure,’ he goes on, setting the scene for what’s to come. ‘Faith. My only strength to bear against the devil itself.’

‘For years we live in hiding, driven from every home,’ Cage recounts over images of himself, Mary and Jesus crossing a barren landscape with a donkey. 

He then ominously reveals that his son – known simply as The Boy – ‘bears a power I cannot understand. A power I cannot contain.’

Another character is introduced in the trailer – The Stranger, played by Isla Johnston.

‘I’m the accuser of life. I am the adversary,’ The Stranger tells The Boy. ‘And why I am here?’

The Boy replies: ‘To torment me.’

According to Magnolia Pictures which is releasing the film in the United States, the story takes place in a remote village in Roman-era Egypt.

Joseph, a carpenter, clings to his faith and traditions even as ‘his wife and their child are targeted by supernatural forces.’

The synopsis goes on: ‘A mysterious stranger tries to entice young Jesus to abandon his devout father’s rules. With every pull of temptation, the boy is lured into a forbidden world, as a terrified Joseph realizes that a demonic power is at work.’

‘Violent, unnatural events inexplicably follow Jesus, and he begins to experience nightmarish visions of the future.’

Social media users jumped to X to share their thoughts, with one penning: ‘Can we genuinely not do this.’

Another typed out, ‘No thanks,’ and one added, ‘Another film I won’t both[er] with, why does Cage get involved with garbage such as this??’

‘Wth seriously, no. nobody asked for this,’ an X user also commented, while others had different opinions.

One said, ‘That’s either going to be cinema history… or the wildest fever dream ever put on screen. Either way, I’m watching lmfao.’

‘Nicolas Cage in a biblical horror movie? That’s a combo I didn’t know I needed,’ a fan wrote, and one shared, ‘Nick Cage has been on his Horror movie arc and I am here for it.’

Another added, ‘Nicholas Cage as Jesus’ stepdad is not on my 2025 bingo card,’ while one X user also said, ‘This actually looks good.’

‘Biblical horror is a genre I didn’t know I needed until now,’ a fan penned, while one added, ‘I do wanna see this.’

A few weeks earlier, a 15-second teaser was also released to give a glimpse at the upcoming horror retelling – with other viewers also expressing their thoughts on social media at the time. 

‘What the hell is this??’ one typed on X, and another asked, ‘Why would Jesus’ childhood be dark?’ 

‘This movie will fumble harder than war of the worlds and Snow White which says a lot,’ one person predicted.

One shared, ‘I am SO intrigued by this film I’m so excited,’ but another wrote, ‘I have no words anymore man.’

Cage is no stranger when it comes to the horror franchise and played the role of a serial killer in the 2024 horror thriller film Longlegs.

The actor was praised for his performance in the movie – which notably raked in $128 million in the box office on a budget of around $10 million.

Cage has previously opened up about taking on roles in the horror genre and said, ‘I have always maintained that horror, when done well, is genuinely surreal. It’s dream logic. It doesn’t have to rely on physics or reality,’ per AP News.

‘It can allow actors to express themselves in other ways besides that which is considered the arbiter of great acting, which is 1970s naturalism.’

The Ghost Rider actor continued, ‘That is good, but we’ve done it again and again, ad infinitum, ad nauseum.’