Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · October 2, 2025 · Entertainment

Nicolas Cage's Haunting Role in Biblical Horror: The Carpenter's Son Trailer Drops

Nicolas Cage steals the show in the first full-length trailer for upcoming horror film The Carpenter's Son, an unconventional retelling of Jesus' childhood

NICOLAS CAGE TAKES ON HOLLYWOOD'S MOST DIVISIVE ROLE YET: THE CARPENTER'S SON

In a move that's got everyone talking, Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage is set to star in the upcoming horror film The Carpenter's Son, a retelling of the biblical story with a dark twist. The 61-year-old actor takes on the role of Joseph, the stepfather of Jesus, in what promises to be a wild ride.

A STORY OF FAITH AND FEAR

'What awaits us when we turn at last to death?' Cage as Joseph is heard saying at the start of the two minute clip as he stands on a clifftop under a darkened sky.

Based on the apocryphal Infancy Gospel of Thomas, The Carpenter's Son is an unconventional take on the life of Jesus. Cage's Joseph clings to his faith and traditions as he tries to protect his family from supernatural forces that are targeting them. The story takes place in a remote village in Roman-era Egypt, adding an air of mystery and foreboding.

NOAH JUPE AND FKA TWIGS JOIN THE CAST

British actor Noah Jupe, known for The Quiet Place movies and Wonder, plays the young Jesus, while singer-songwriter FKA Twigs takes on the role of Mary, his mother. The movie's cast also includes Isla Johnston as a mysterious stranger who tries to tempt Jesus away from his devout father.

The young Jesus is played by British actor Noah Jupe, known for The Quiet Place movies and Wonder

THE TRAILER HAS ARRIVED

The first full-length trailer for The Carpenter's Son has dropped, and it's got everyone talking. Cage is seen standing on a clifftop under a darkened sky, proclaiming "What awaits us when we turn at last to death?" The trailer sets the tone for what promises to be a thrilling ride.

"I've been hiding from every home," Cage recounts over images of himself, Mary, and Jesus crossing a barren landscape with a donkey. "My son bears a power I cannot understand. A power I cannot contain."

'For years we live in hiding, driven from every home,' Cage recounts over images of himself, Mary and Jesus crossing a barren landscape with a donkey

SOCIAL MEDIA REACTS

The trailer has sparked a range of reactions on social media, with some fans expressing their excitement for the movie, while others are less than impressed. "Nicolas Cage in a biblical horror movie? That's a combo I didn't know I needed," one fan wrote.

Others were more skeptical, with one user typing "Can we genuinely not do this?" and another saying "No thanks." But not everyone is opposed to the idea of The Carpenter's Son. One fan predicted that it will be "cinema history... or the wildest fever dream ever put on screen."

He then ominously reveals that his son - known simply as The Boy - 'bears a power I cannot understand. A power I cannot contain'

NICOLAS CAGE'S HORROR ARC

This isn't Cage's first foray into horror, and his fans are loving every minute of it. In 2024, he starred in Longlegs, a horror thriller that raked in $128 million at the box office on a budget of around $10 million.

When asked about his love of horror movies, Cage said, "I have always maintained that horror, when done well, is genuinely surreal. It's dream logic. It doesn't have to rely on physics or reality." He believes that horror allows actors to express themselves in ways they couldn't otherwise, and he's clearly passionate about exploring the genre.

Joseph clings to his faith and traditions even as 'his wife and their child are targeted by supernatural forces' and The Boy battles nightmarish visions of the future

THE CARPENTER'S SON: A MOVIE THAT PROMISES TO DELIVER

With its talented cast, intriguing premise, and Nicolas Cage at the helm, The Carpenter's Son is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated horror movies of the year. Whether you're a fan of biblical horror or just looking for a good scare, this movie promises to deliver.

THE CARPENTER'S SON: THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE STORY

The movie - which was was both written and directed by Lofty Nathan - is set to release in theaters later this year on November 14

But what inspired writer and director Lofty Nathan to tackle the story in such a unique way? According to thescholarlynote.com, Nathan was drawn to the apocryphal Infancy Gospel of Thomas, which tells the story of Jesus' childhood. He wanted to bring this lesser-known tale to life in a way that would be both shocking and thought-provoking.

THE CARPENTER'S SON: THE RELEASE DATE

Mark your calendars for November 14th, when The Carpenter's Son hits theaters nationwide. With its promise of thrills, chills, and even some laughs, this movie is sure to be a hit with horror fans and non-horror fans alike.

Social media users jumped to X to share their thoughts, with one penning: 'Can we genuinely not do this'

THE CARPENTER'S SON: THE FINAL VERDICT

Will The Carpenter's Son live up to the hype? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure - Nicolas Cage is back on top form, and this movie promises to be a wild ride. So mark your calendars, grab some popcorn, and get ready for the most talked-about horror movie of the year!

Another typed out, 'No thanks,' and one added, 'Another film I won't both[er] with, why does Cage get involved with garbage such as this??'

A few weeks earlier, a 15-second teaser was also released to give a glimpse at the upcoming horror retelling - with other viewers also expressing their thoughts on social media at the time.

Cage is no stranger when it comes to the horror franchise and played the role of a serial killer in the 2024 horror thriller film Longlegs; seen in 2024 in L.A.