Wise Men Still Seek Him

Can we have too many films about the life of Christ? The latest movie from Angel Studios gives you an overview of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ in a gentle manner. But is it suitable for all children? In this, The King of Kings Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children.

True Confessions: I have never seen The Passion of the Christ. In fact, I was pregnant when it came out, and I have always been very careful of what I watched while pregnant. I “knew” that what I felt, thought, and watched affected my emotions and could have an impact on my unborn baby. Science at the time didn’t line up with that, and it would be a few years before anyone even questioned the impact of movies on the unborn baby.

While I consider myself a conservative Christian, I do ruffle some feathers with some of my movie recommendations. To find out more about how I review movies, visit My Movie Review Guidelines.

The King of Kings Christian Movie Review

Studio Synopsis:

A father tells his son the greatest story ever told, and what begins as a bedtime tale becomes a life-changing journey. Through vivid imagination, the boy walks alongside Jesus, witnessing His miracles, facing His trials, and understanding His ultimate sacrifice. The King of Kings invites us to rediscover the enduring power of hope, love, and redemption through the eyes of a child.

My Synopsis:

After Charles Dickens yells at his young son, Walter Dickens, who is obsessed with King Arthur, he tells him a bedtime story of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of the King of Kings – the Greatest King to ever walk the earth.

King of Kings Christian Movie Review: What Parents Want to Know

Language:

No foul language. However, there are words that may cause discussions such as adulter.

Violence:

Have you read the Bible? If you have, you know that it can be pretty violent – Peter cutting off the ear of a soldier, Jesus overturning the tables of money changers in the Temple, the flogging of Jesus, and nailing him to a cross. These scenes are all in this film. However, it is all tastefully done. While I know what is occurring, it is not explicitly shown. After the flogging, you see marks on Jesus’ body, but no blood.

Additionally, Jesus and the two thieves are shown hanging on crosses.

At the very beginning of the film, there is a snow storm with thunder and lightning.

Then, when Mary and Joseph have Jesus, King Herod talks about “getting rid of any child under 2.” At this point, Charles Dickens’ wife tells him to tone down the story, as “We don’t want nightmares.”

Furthermore, there is talk about “slaves in Egypt” and the 10 Terrible Plagues, but the scenes are pencil drawings and not obvious to what is going on. It is also said that the Israelites remained safe by “smearing the blood of the lamb” over their doors.

Lesser violent scenes include Walter and his brother fighting over a sword. The possessed man is brought to Jesus, and he says, “unclean spirit be silent and come out of him,” and the spirit (as a dark cloud) enters into pigs who jump in a lake.

Faithful to the Bible, the villagers want to stone the woman caught in adultery. They chant, “Stone her.”

Furthermore, there is a storm while the disciples are on a boat, with the boat tossing to and fro. Peter walks on water toward Jesus, but sinks when he looks at the storm and goes under the water. Jesus saves him.

Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus, has died. Nothing is shown, but they are crying and grieving. Lazarus comes out of the tomb wrapped in cloth.

Young Walter Dickens imagines himself in the story, and as he walks along with Jesus carrying his cross, he is shown crying. There are other times Walter is moved to tears. Additionally, Mary is shown crying at the foot of the cross.

When Jesus dies on the cross, the ground trembles and the curtain in the temple is torn in half.

Spiritual Content:

Obviously, this movie is based on the Bible, and so almost the entire thing is spiritual.

A question is asked, “Can Jesus control demons?”

Miracles are sprinkled throughout the film. Jesus is shown healing a blind man, casting out demons, raising the dead, and multiplying the fish and loaves.

At the Last Supper, Jesus says, “Take this and eat it. This is my body…This is my blood.”

Satan disguises himself as a serpent in the Garden of Eden. This is shown as a drawing.

Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven,” “get behind me Satan.” Furthermore, He also says, “Satan will try to take your soul.” and on the cross, He says, “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.”

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus says, “This sorrow is crushing the life out of my soul. Stay and pray with me.”

 Adult Content:

Since this story is based on the Bible, there are a couple of scenes, such as the woman caught in adultery. In this scene, no explanation is given except for her sin. There are also tastefully done black-and-white drawings of Adam and Eve, naked, in the garden.

Positive Content:

Walter asks his father, “Does Jesus think He is going to die?” and his father responds, “He knows He is going to die.” This is an important message that our children need to hear. Jesus came to save us from our sins, and He knew what that entailed. And he came anyway knowing he had to die for our sins.

Additionally, there are a lot of great lines such as: “To be separated from God is to be separated from life.” While not actually a Bible quote, it sums up the Christian core beliefs of hell being separated from God.

This film portrays the life of Jesus, but more importantly, it shows miracles, faith, and what a life with Jesus means. near the end of the film, Jesus says, “Have faith in me and you will be saved.” This is the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The King of Kings Christian Movie Review: My Viewing Recommendations

What a great movie. In fact, Charles Dickens wrote The Life of Our Lord for his children. It begins, “My Dear Children, I am very anxious that you should know something about the History of Jesus Christ…” and he read it to his children every Christmas. However, it was not published until after the death of his last child. This movie is based on that book.

Is it suitable for all children? Probably not the littlest ones. While it is rated PG, it is on the milder side of PG. Furthermore, the movie does depict the death of Jesus. However, it is tastefully portrayed. This film is well-made and it definitely had me in tears several times.

Can we ever have too many films about the greatest story ever told? I don’t think so, especially ones designed for the family. Once again, Angel Studios has produced a quality film with content that is fitting for Christian families.

One last thought, consider reading The Life of Our Lord to your children this Easter season.

About the Movie:

Rating: PG for thematic material, violent content, and some scary moments.

Release Date: April 11, 2025

Runtime: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Genre: Family

Style: Animated

Studio: Mofac Studios

Directed by: Seong-ho Jang

Written by: Seong-ho Jang

Based on the book: The Life of Our Lord by Charles Dickens

Produced by: Seong-ho Jang, Woo-hyung Kim

Edited by: Seong-ho Jang

Music by: Kim Tae-seong

Distributed by: Angel Studios

 The Cast of The King of Kings

Charles Dickens voiced by Kenneth Branagh

Catherine Dickens voiced by Uma Thurman

Walter Dickens voiced Roman Griffin Davis

King Herod voiced by Mark Hamill

Jesus Christ voiced by Oscar Isaac

Pontius Pilate voiced by Pierce Brosnan

High Priest Caiaphas voiced by Ben Kingsley

Peter voiced by Forest Whitaker

Pharisee Hillel, Dismas, James the Greater voiced by Jim Cummings (the voice of Winnie the Pooh)

Melchoir/Matthew/Thomas/Phillip/Young Jesus voiced by James Arnold Taylor

Willa the Cat voiced by Dee Bradley Baker

Pharisee Eleazar voiced by Fred Tatsciore

Mary of Bethany voiced by Vanessa Marshall