GODS OF EGYPT
Entertaining mythological action with adult content and pagan themes.
Should You Watch It?
GODS OF EGYPT is an entertaining fantasy adventure with breathtaking digital effects, impressive action, and some moral and redemptive elements. Horus begins as a selfish, uncaring god but is forced to reconsider his life, recognize his errors, and make amends. The story also values courage, loyalty, sacrifice, and the love between Bek and Zaya.
The cost is substantial for Christian families. This is a story built around pagan Egyptian gods and polytheism. It also includes adult themes involving illicit sex, an unexpected expletive, and strong action violence, including murder and killings in battle.
Adults who can engage those issues with discernment may find worthwhile moral themes beneath the mythology. For children and young teens, choose something else. The practical answer: GODS OF EGYPT is worth the trip for discerning adults only.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESSet, the Egyptian god of darkness, murders King Osiris just as Osiris is about to crown Horus. Set then defeats Horus and takes control of Egypt.
The kingdom falls under tyrannical rule, but hope emerges through Bek, a mortal thief, and Zaya, the woman he loves. Together with Horus, they begin a dangerous quest involving missing eyes, powerful gods, mythological beasts, and the struggle to reclaim the kingdom.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means an entertaining but uneven fantasy adventure. The digital visual effects are impressive, and the action-packed story includes breathtaking scenery, multiple battles, and mythological creatures. The relationship between Bek and Zaya is truly endearing, while the main characters are engaging in their respective roles.
The movie’s art and set design resemble a mixture of ancient Egypt and a Las Vegas hotel. The wardrobe can seem equally excessive. Some performances are weak, and Geoffrey Rush’s portrayal of Ra is lackluster. The 3-D version also was not worth it because the effect became barely noticeable after the opening action scene.
The Worldview
GODS OF EGYPT presents a strong pagan worldview centered on Egyptian mythology and polytheism. Its gods battle for power, revenge, and control, while Ra oversees events from a celestial chariot and allows the conflict to continue. The film does not offer a biblical understanding of God, but it does include moral and redemptive elements within its mythological framework.
Horus begins as selfish and uncaring. Through his interactions with Bek and Hathor and through the challenges he faces, he re-evaluates his life, recognizes his errors, and makes amends. The story also includes repentance, sacrifice, a theme of resurrection, and the triumph of good over evil. Bek may remind Christian viewers of Joseph, while Horus may suggest Samson, creating some pleasant connections to Judeo-Christian values and history.
The film’s central moral insight is that power and revenge do not make someone righteous. Scripture says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong pagan worldview involving pagan Egyptian mythology and polytheism, mitigated by some moral, redemptive elements, including repentance, making amends and a theme of resurrection within a mythological Egyptian context, which some believe is a clear influence from the Hebrews who lived among the Egyptians in ancient times before Moses; an obscenity is uttered by an Egyptian god character; multiple acts of strong action violence include murder and killings in battle, and humans, creatures and gods are killed by various methods such as stabbing with swords and knives, bludgeoning and crushing, being impaled, and falling into abysses, plus a minotaur’s head is decapitated; implied fornication; brief nudity of a female’s back and upper male nudity, but nothing explicit; no alcohol; no smoking or drugs; and, deceit, lying, greed, stealing, revenge.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Horus begins as a selfish and uncaring god. What does it look like to recognize your wrongs and make amends?
Luke 19:8–10 · 2 Corinthians 7:10Set is driven by a thirst for power, while Horus is driven by revenge. How can power and revenge distort our choices?
James 4:1–3 · Romans 12:19Bek risks his life because he cannot bear losing Zaya. What do sacrifice and faithful love look like in your own relationships?
John 15:13 · 1 Corinthians 13:4–7The film presents resurrection within a mythological Egyptian context. What hope does the Christian resurrection give that mythology cannot provide?
John 11:25–26 · 1 Corinthians 15:20–22The Final Word
GODS OF EGYPT offers adults impressive effects, engaging action, and a few meaningful themes about repentance and making amends. Its pagan mythology, adult sexual themes, expletive, and strong violence make it unsuitable for children and young teens. Our answer is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For a family-friendly alternative, see.
