Rachel Evans
The Last Supper is an American biblical drama film that was released on March 14, 2025. The movie depicts the last days of Jesus Christ, including the events leading up to his betrayal by Judas and his crucifixion. The film is written and directed by Mauro Borrelli, a Catholic, and stars James Oliver Wheatley, Jamie Ward, Charlie MacGechan, and Robert Knepper, among others. While some viewers praised the movie for its entertaining interpretation of the Christian story and its portrayal of Jesus, others criticized it for taking creative liberties with the biblical narrative and not fully portraying Catholic teachings. The film has been described as safe and sentimental by some Catholic publications, but it has also been recognized as theologically sound and officially released during Lent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Biblical drama |
| Based on | Leonardo Da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper |
| Plot | Jesus's last days told through the eyes of his followers |
| Screenplay | Co-written by Mauro Borrelli, a Catholic |
| Direction | Mauro Borrelli |
| Executive producer | Chris Tomlin |
| Release date | 14 March 2025 |
| Release platform | Theaters across the United States |
| Rating | CinemaScore: A– |
| Audience suitability | Contains harsh gory violence and a suicide |
Explore related products
![The Last Supper [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71ppW1I8PPL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![The Book of Esther / Apostle Peter and the Last Supper / The Book of Ruth Triple Feature [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71x6DkDEd+L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The film's portrayal of Judas
The 2025 biblical drama film "The Last Supper" offers a unique portrayal of Judas, one of the central characters in the story. Unlike many other films that tend to depict Judas briefly until his act of betrayal, this film gives Judas a more prominent role, allowing viewers to understand his character and motivations better.
Writer and director Mauro Borrelli intended to move away from the stereotypical portrayal of Judas as the "evil guy" or "bad guy". Instead, Borrelli wanted to showcase Judas' internal struggle and the influences that led to his betrayal of Jesus. According to Borrelli, Judas was "not a bad guy" but someone who was "taken by Satan" and unable to break free from his grasp. He further elaborated that Judas was part of a "divine prophecy" and played a necessary role in the divine plan.
In the film, Judas wrestles with his demons, literally portrayed as Satan, who appears both as a snake and an ominous man in the shadows, preying on Judas' pride and fears. This portrayal adds depth to Judas' character, showing him as a conflicted individual struggling against dark forces.
The film also makes some deviations from the biblical narrative. In the movie, the chief priests approach Judas, whereas, in the Gospels, Judas is said to have initiated the betrayal by approaching the priests. Additionally, Judas' suicide is depicted as hanging himself in town, which differs from the biblical account of him hanging himself in a field.
Despite some criticism of the film's pacing and historical accuracy, the portrayal of Judas has been praised as "superb". Robert Knepper's performance as Judas, in particular, has been described as "inspired casting". "The Last Supper" offers a fresh perspective on the well-known story by humanizing Judas and exploring his complex motivations, adding a layer of intrigue to the narrative.
The Catholic Mourning Period: How Long?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Apostle Peter and the Last Supper [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71FgeVjmQOL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Faith & Family 2-Pack: Mary Magdalene & Apostle Peter and the Last Supper [DVD] Region 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61puMkm8dVL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![The Last Supper [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51V3G5WAA9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The film's biblical accuracy
The biblical accuracy of "The Last Supper" has been a topic of discussion among viewers and critics. While some viewers found the film to be theologically sound and true to the Gospel, others pointed out certain discrepancies and creative liberties taken by the filmmakers.
The movie is said to focus on the last days of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of his followers. It includes events such as Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper itself, and his crucifixion. One source praised the film for its portrayal of Jesus, describing it as unique and engaging, neither over-emphasizing his humanity nor portraying him as detached from human feelings and emotions.
However, some viewers were disappointed by the omission of certain biblical elements. One review noted the absence of the Blessed Mother in the film, which was considered a serious omission. Additionally, the film has been criticized for adding unbiblical material and embellishing certain aspects of the story to increase drama and tension. For instance, the portrayal of Judas Iscariot and his internal struggle to betray Jesus, which included the use of a snake and a "demonic voice", was seen as a deviation from the biblical narrative.
Despite these criticisms, some viewers found the film to adequately follow the Bible and appreciated its interpretation of the well-known Christian story. They praised the performances and production quality, finding it more credible and less cringeworthy than other low-budget faith-based movies.
Overall, while "The Last Supper" takes some creative liberties with the biblical narrative, it also attempts to remain true to Scripture, focusing on specific events and characters. The film's portrayal of Jesus and certain key moments, such as the sacrifice of Jesus offering himself as the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, were highlighted as strengths by some viewers.
Locating Your Catholic Baptism Certificate: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The Last Supper [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71BxR77N7KL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Fatima [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81RnkZu7UGL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The film's creative liberties
The 2025 biblical drama film "The Last Supper" is co-written and directed by Mauro Borrelli, a Catholic, and stars James Oliver Wheatley, Jamie Ward, Charlie MacGechan, Nathalie Rapti Gomez, Robert Knepper, and James Faulkner. The film depicts the last days of Jesus Christ, told through the eyes of his followers. While the film has been praised for its entertaining interpretation of this well-known Christian story and its portrayal of Jesus, it has also been criticised for taking creative liberties with the biblical narrative.
One notable creative liberty taken by the filmmakers is the portrayal of Judas. In many films, Judas is not shown much until the point of betrayal. However, in "The Last Supper," Judas has a more prominent role, and viewers get to know him better. Borrelli has explained that he wanted to portray Judas as neither good nor evil but as someone who was taken by Satan and was unable to break free. This interpretation has been met with mixed reactions, with some viewers appreciating the exploration of Judas' internal struggle and others finding it to be unbiblical.
Another aspect of the film that has been criticised for creative liberty is the timeline and order of events. Some viewers have noted that the film seems to mash up elements from different biblical stories and takes liberties with the factual/biblical timeline. For example, the film includes dark scenes of Judas Iscariot struggling with a personal demonic debate about whether to betray Jesus, which is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible.
The film also includes violent and graphic scenes, such as glimpses of Jesus being beaten and the Crucifixion, which have narrowed the appropriate audience for the film. These scenes have been praised for their realism but have also been considered too harsh for younger viewers. As a result, the film has received an OSV News classification of A-II (adults and adolescents) and a Motion Picture Association rating of PG-13.
Overall, while "The Last Supper" takes some creative liberties with the biblical narrative, it has been generally well-received by audiences, with an average grade of "A-" on CinemaScore. However, some viewers have been left wanting more, feeling that the film could have asserted itself with more distinction in its portrayal of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Catholics Interpret Revelation: Jesus at the Door
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The film's pacing issues
The 2025 film The Last Supper has been praised for its portrayal of Jesus and its focus on Judas, but it has also been criticised for its pacing issues. The film is a biblical drama about the last days of Jesus Christ, told from the perspective of his followers. It was written and directed by Mauro Borrelli, a Catholic, and starred James Oliver Wheatley, Jamie Ward, Charlie MacGechan, Nathalie Rapti Gomez, Robert Knepper, and James Faulkner.
While some viewers found the film entertaining and emotionally powerful, others found it difficult to watch due to its pacing and tone. One reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes said they "wanted to like this film, but the pacing and tone made it a really hard watch". They also criticised the dialogue and acting, comparing the quality to that of a CW show.
Covering all these events and character arcs in a single film may have resulted in a rushed or uneven pace. Some viewers may have expected a more slow-burning and contemplative approach to the material, especially given the film's religious subject matter.
Additionally, the film's pacing may have been impacted by its desire to stay true to the Bible. The filmmakers may have felt the need to include many different events and details from the Bible, which could have made the narrative feel crowded or disjointed. While some viewers praised the film's adherence to the Bible, others found it overly safe and sentimental, with one-dimensional characters.
In conclusion, while The Last Supper has received acclaim for its unique portrayal of Jesus and its exploration of Judas' character, its pacing issues have been a point of contention for some viewers. These issues may be due to the film's ambitious scope and its attempt to cover a wide range of events and themes within a limited runtime.
Catholicism in Spain: Percentage and Influence
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![As Above, So Below [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/712SZiwzjlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The film's violence and rating
The 2025 biblical drama film "The Last Supper" contains harsh gory violence and a suicide. The film depicts Jesus' last days and includes scenes of Jesus being beaten bloody by his captors, as well as glimpses of the Crucifixion. One source describes the film as dark, with scenes of Judas Iscariot's personal demonic debate on whether to betray Jesus, featuring a snake and a "demonic voice".
The film has been deemed theologically sound by some, with one source stating that it is "for the most part, theologically sound". Another source notes that the portrayal of Jesus is unique and engaging, neither over-emphasising his humanity nor portraying him as above human feelings and emotions.
However, some viewers have criticised the film for taking liberties with the biblical narrative, adding in unbiblical material for dramatic effect. One source expresses disappointment with Hollywood's tendency to embellish biblical stories, arguing that it is unnecessary to add to the story to make it more dramatic.
In terms of ratings, the film received an OSV News classification of A-II, suitable for adults and adolescents, and a Motion Picture Association rating of PG-13, with parents strongly cautioned.
St. Dominic and the Catholic Rosary: A Historical Introduction
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Last Supper is an American biblical drama film about the last days of Jesus Christ.
The cast includes James Oliver Wheatley, Jamie Ward, Charlie MacGechan, Nathalie Rapti Gomez, Robert Knepper, and James Faulkner.
The film was co-written and directed by Mauro Borrelli, a Catholic.
The film received an A– rating from CinemaScore and a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association.
