Nicolas Cage stars as Joseph in “The Carpenter’s Son,” a supernatural horror film reimagining Jesus’ childhood that released its full trailer October 1, 2025. The film from writer-director Lotfy Nathan depicts the holy family facing demonic forces in Roman-era Egypt, with Cage’s viral pronunciation of “Suh-tan” already generating significant buzz ahead of its fall theatrical release.
Trailer Reveals Supernatural Horror Interpretation
The newly released trailer for “The Carpenter’s Son” showcases Cage as Joseph protecting his family from supernatural threats targeting their teenage son Jesus, played by Noah Jupe. The footage features violent, unnatural events following the young Jesus as he experiences nightmarish visions and encounters a mysterious stranger revealed to be Satan. Director Lotfy Nathan, drawing from his Coptic Christian background, creates what Magnolia Pictures describes as “a meticulously crafted, genre-bending supernatural thriller.” The film’s marketing has leaned heavily into horror imagery, including a poster featuring the Lord’s Prayer’s “deliver us from evil” line alongside close-ups of haunted eyes, signaling the film’s intense spiritual warfare themes.
Historical Precedent for Biblical Controversy
“The Carpenter’s Son” joins a long tradition of controversial biblical interpretations in entertainment. Martin Scorsese’s 1988 film “The Last Temptation of Christ” faced widespread protests from religious groups for its humanized portrayal of Jesus. More recently, modern productions like the Hollywood Bowl’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” have drawn criticism for unconventional approaches to sacred stories. According to Pew Research Center data, 63% of Americans identify as Christian, ensuring significant attention to any reinterpretation of foundational biblical narratives. The film’s horror framing particularly challenges traditional depictions of Jesus’s childhood, which biblical scholars note receives minimal attention in canonical gospels.
Artistic Vision Meets Commercial Strategy
Director Lotfy Nathan’s background in documentary filmmaking brings an unconventional perspective to the horror genre. His previous film, “Harka,” premiered at Cannes in 2022, demonstrating his ability to handle sensitive subject matter with nuance. The casting of Cage, known for his intense performances in films like “The Wicker Man” and “Mandy,” signals the producers’ intention to create a distinctive horror experience. Industry analysts note that controversy often boosts box office performance for horror films – MPAA data shows horror consistently outperforms other genres in return on investment. The film’s fall release positions it perfectly for Halloween season audiences seeking elevated horror content.
Cultural Impact and Industry Implications
The film arrives during a period of significant evolution in religious horror, following successful films like “The Nun II” and “The Pope’s Exorcist.” Religious horror films have generated over $1 billion globally in the past five years according to The Numbers market data, demonstrating substantial audience appetite for spiritual conflict narratives. “The Carpenter’s Son” represents a bold entry into this space by recontextualizing Christianity’s central figure within horror conventions. The film’s reception will likely influence future productions considering religious themes, particularly as streaming platforms increasingly seek distinctive genre content that generates discussion and social media engagement.
References
Britannica: Coptic Orthodox Church Overview
New York Times: Last Temptation of Christ Review
Pew Research Center: U.S. Religious Composition Data
MPAA: Theatrical Market Environment Report 2023
Box Office Mojo: The Nun II Performance Data
The Numbers: Horror Genre Market Analysis
