THE YOUNG MESSIAH
Prince of Peace in a powerful, theologically sound childhood portrait.
Should You Watch It?
If you want a film that presents Jesus as fully God and fully Man, this is an unusually winsome choice. The story is emotional, entertaining, and theologically sound. It brings healing, peace, and grace to those around Jesus while showing his divinity through miraculous demonstrations and brilliant answers.
The movie also makes Jesus’ identity accessible through family relationships, danger, and discovery. The young Jesus asks questions about his birth and his parents’ understanding of who he is, while forces opposed to him drive the jeopardy forward.
The source review calls this a must-see movie and says you will want to watch it many times. For an all-ages audience, WORTH THE TRIP.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESYoung Jesus lives in Egypt with Mary and Joseph. After Joseph learns that Herod the Great has died, the family and their close relatives begin the journey back to Israel.
Along the way, Jesus asks his cousin to tell him more about his birth and his parents’ perspective on who he is. Miracles reveal more about his identity, while Herod’s successor sends a Roman centurion to hunt down the young Messiah.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means the film succeeds both as entertainment and as a dramatic presentation of its subject. The source review calls it very well crafted, powerful, emotional, and entertaining.
It is described as a visual sermon that presents the totality of who Jesus is in a unique, wonderful, winsome, and dramatic way. The story’s allegorical approach helps communicate Jesus’ identity, while its emotional force is strong enough to bring tears to viewers’ eyes.
The Worldview
The film’s worldview is explicitly Christian. It presents young Jesus as fully God and fully Man, and it portrays him bringing healing, peace, and grace to the people around him. Miracles, answers in the temple, and opposition from forces of darkness all point toward his divine identity.
The source review says the film is theologically sound and avoids the theological pitfalls of the Anne Rice book that inspired it. It presents Jesus as the Messiah who came to set people free and give them a more abundant life.
The film’s central longing is to understand who Jesus is. Its answer aligns with the source review’s conviction that Jesus brings freedom and abundant life: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian worldview about Jesus as a young boy coming to know he’s fully God and fully Man and bringing healing, peace and grace to those around him; no foul language; some light violence in several places, first when a young bully falls and seems to die but Jesus brings him back and some Roman soldiers fight with some zealots, Herod threatens violence, neighbors threaten violence, several people are healed from deadly sicknesses; Herod makes some sexual innuendoes and is hedonistic; belly dancers but fully clothed, female cleavage, upper male nudity; Herod drinks an excess of wine and may be slightly drugged; no smoking or modern illegal drugs; and, deception, cruelty and threats opposing Jesus.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film presents Jesus as bringing healing, peace, and grace. Where do you most need those gifts in your own life?
John 14:27 · Ephesians 2:8–9Jesus asks questions about his birth and his parents’ understanding of who he is. Why does it matter to seek truth about Jesus rather than settle for rumors?
John 8:31–32 · John 14:6The story shows deception, cruelty, and threats opposing Jesus. How should people respond when fear and power are used against the innocent?
Psalm 82:3–4 · Romans 12:21The source review says Jesus came to set people free and give them abundant life. What kind of freedom does Jesus offer?
John 8:36 · John 10:10The Final Word
This is a powerful, emotional, theologically sound film about Jesus’ childhood. It offers families a winsome way to consider who Jesus is and what he came to give. For viewers of all ages, the answer is clear: WORTH THE TRIP.
