Nicolas Cage stars as Joseph, with Noah Jupe portraying a troubled adolescent Jesus torn between divine purpose and human uncertainty.
The trailer, recently released online, has already sparked intense reactions for its unsettling tone and eerie imagery. It begins with quiet domestic moments before spiraling into disturbing visions of decay, possession, and doubt.
Jesus, portrayed by Jupe with haunting honesty, begins to question whether Cage’s Joseph is truly his father. That dispute becomes both emotional and spiritual, shaking the fragile balance within their small, isolated community.
Mary, played by the multi-talented FKA Twigs, is caught between these two opposing forces. Her quiet anguish and maternal fear ground the story, making her portrayal a crucial emotional anchor amid escalating chaos.
Isla Johnston, known for her role as young Beth Harmon in The Queen’s Gambit, brings menace to the screen as a mysterious stranger later revealed to be Satan, who seeks to lure Jesus away from his family’s guidance.
The film’s premise alone would raise eyebrows, but its tone pushes it further. Blurring ancient parable with psychological horror, The Carpenter’s Son transforms what might have been a spiritual drama into a deeply unsettling meditation on temptation, belief, and identity.
Lofty Nathan’s Vision of Faith and Fear
Director Lofty Nathan draws on his Coptic Christian background to shape the story’s religious foundations.
While the film is not based on any canonical Bible text, its inspiration is believed to trace to the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, an early and non-canonical work describing Jesus’ childhood and youthful anger. Nathan’s version extracts this forbidden legend and molds it into modern horror.
Set in a quiet Egyptian village surrounded by endless desert, the film’s atmosphere resembles Gothic isolation transposed into biblical times.
Nathan uses sparse light, whispering winds, and haunting silences to build a sense of divine absence. His aim isn’t to retell scripture but to probe the terrifying possibilities of faith gone astray.
Critics who viewed early footage describe the visual tone as both ancient and intimate. Mud-brick homes, flickering fires, and hushed conversations contrast with horrifying dream sequences filled with crimson skies and uncanny distortions.
The film’s tension grows with every passing moment, paralleling Jupe’s internal descent as he begins sensing otherworldly voices and prophetic nightmares.
Nathan’s previous works already hinted at his flair for realism mixed with mysticism. Yet The Carpenter’s Son stretches his boundaries as a storyteller, combining theology, horror, and emotional tragedy.
For Nathan, it’s not about shocking the audience with violence but unsettling them through doubt, the doubt of faith, of parenthood, and of one’s divine calling.
Noah Jupe’s Transformation: Faith Meets Fear
Noah Jupe, widely recognized for his emotional depth in A Quiet Place, Honey Boy, and HBO’s The Undoing, steps into his boldest role yet. His portrayal of Jesus in The Carpenter’s Son demands a layered performance at once innocent and tormented, childlike but burdened by destiny.
The Carpenter’s Son (Credit: Magnolia Pictures)
In the trailer, one moment stands out: Jupe’s eyes reflecting fear and disbelief as Joseph confronts him over his defiance. His version of Jesus isn’t saintly perfection; instead, it’s a boy struggling beneath the weight of divine expectation.
When doubt infects his belief system, it leads him toward Johnston’s Satan, who appears kind, almost comforting, as she tempts him to reject faith altogether.
This reimagined coming-of-age framework turns Jupe’s performance into the emotional core of the film. He must embody both grace and rebellion, bouncing between confusion, trust, and terror.
Audiences familiar with his tender vulnerability in Honey Boy will likely see shades of that emotional honesty here, though elevated by an eerie spiritual tension.
The psychological confrontation between Jupe and Cage adds another key layer. While Cage delivers intensity through restraint, Jupe’s performance operates on emotional volatility.
Their on-screen relationship, shifting between love and fear, becomes the film’s anchor, one portraying desperate paternal control and the other seeking cosmic independence.
Nicolas Cage’s Modern Renaissance Continues
Nicolas Cage’s creative resurgence has become one of Hollywood’s most intriguing narratives of the decade. After acclaimed performances in Pig, Dream Scenario, and this year’s Longlegs, he has earned newfound respect for choosing challenging, psychologically rich characters. In The Carpenter’s Son, his role as Joseph extends that streak.
Cage’s Joseph embodies both moral strength and spiritual unease. No longer a stoic biblical figure, this Joseph is flawed, uncertain, and visibly cracked under pressure.
His faith wavers as his son displays unnatural powers and defiance. The result is a performance both haunted and human, the carpenter father not merely protecting his family but struggling with the fear that his son may not belong to him or even to this world.
Cage’s trademark blend of subtle intensity and fragile empathy fits the tone perfectly. His recent horror venture Longlegs proved his ability to project dread without theatrics.
Here, he channels that same shadowy quiet, conveying more with silence than outburst. His performance appears poised to mirror Pig’s subdued power, making Joseph one of his most complex characters yet.
FKA twigs and Isla Johnston Add Feminine Power and Mystery
FKA twigs, renowned for her experimental artistry and music, once again proves her ability to inhabit unconventional screen roles.
Following her appearance in the remake of The Crow, she brings emotional depth and eerie stillness to Mary. Her portrayal seems rooted in both love and helplessness, devoted to her son yet terrified of what his visions may mean.
Meanwhile, Isla Johnston has drawn early praise from critics for her portrayal of Satan. Unlike traditional depictions of demonic evil, Johnston’s Satan is calm, intelligent, and softly persuasive.
Her performance reportedly carries the same unsettling charm that made her turn in The Queen’s Gambit memorable. She embodies temptation not through loud defiance but through quiet seduction, whispering truth twisted into sin.
The chemistry between Johnston and Jupe, both young yet remarkably assured actors, could become one of the film’s standout elements. Their dialogue, a mix of theological questioning and psychological manipulation, forms the emotional core of temptation in The Carpenter’s Son.
What to Expect When It Hits Theaters
The Carpenter’s Son premieres on November 14 and is already being positioned as one of the year’s boldest horror films. While it’s not a direct religious adaptation, its shocking premise and stylistic boldness ensure heavy debate upon release. Some may view it as blasphemous; others will see it as a daring study of faith and rebellion.
What makes this movie stand apart is its refusal to offer easy answers. Nathan’s script challenges viewers to confront doubt as both a human and divine condition. There are visions, exorcisms, and moments of true terror, but at its heart lies a family drama torn by love, secrecy, and unanswered prayers.
The trailer ends in a swirl of haunting imagery: a young boy standing against firelight, Joseph’s voice trembling with despair, and Mary’s silhouette framed by shadow and flame. Those images alone have left film fans buzzing with theories and anticipation.
With its powerhouse combination of Cage’s intensity, Jupe’s innocence, and Nathan’s theological horror vision, The Carpenter’s Son could become one of this decade’s most talked-about genre films.
Expect a release filled with discussion, controversy, and haunting beauty, a modern myth about faith, fear, and family destined to test the limits of belief itself.
After years of uncertain updates, Pirates of the Caribbean 6 is starting to look like a real possibility again. During a recent appearance at TheWrap’s The Grill conference, veteran producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that Margot Robbie remains attached to star in a new Pirates of the Caribbean project.
His confirmation has reignited enthusiasm among fans who had been wondering if the buzzy female-led reboot had quietly sunk.
Robbie’s involvement in the franchise first surfaced in 2020, sparking excitement over Disney’s plans to introduce a new lead and storyline set within the Pirates universe.
However, delays, changes in creative teams, and Disney’s reassessment of the series after Johnny Depp’s departure left the project in limbo. Bruckheimer’s new update, though, paints a far more hopeful picture: “She’s still involved. We’re working on a script,” he said, stating that development has restarted.
The producer revealed that at one point, two separate scripts were in contention, but only one has moved forward. He explained, “We had two scripts at one point, and then one kind of dropped out, and we kind of went with the other one.”
Bruckheimer also confirmed that franchise veteran Ted Elliot, who co-wrote the earlier Pirates of the Caribbean films, contributed to the script, while another writer was brought in to fine-tune it.
This latest update suggests that Disney isn’t abandoning its most lucrative live-action franchise but rather searching for a fresh way to steer it.
More than eight years since the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales in 2017, the series might be ready for a creative overhaul, and who better to lead that charge than Margot Robbie?
Why Margot Robbie Is Perfect for the Next Pirates Era
Margot Robbie’s steady rise as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars makes her a natural choice to headline a revived Pirates franchise. From The Wolf of Wall Street to Barbie, Robbie has shown an uncanny ability to mix humor, intelligence, and charm, all qualities the Pirates series thrives on.
With her in the lead, Disney could anchor the franchise’s next phase around a mix of empowerment and adventure rather than relying solely on the past formula centered on Captain Jack Sparrow.
Robbie’s star power has only grown since she was first linked to Pirates of the Caribbean. Her recent success as both lead actress and producer of Barbie proved she can command global box office attention and bring a distinct personality to a project.
Fans are therefore eager to see how she interprets the high-seas spirit of the Pirates saga without copying what came before.
The creative shift also aligns with Hollywood’s larger movement toward more inclusive storytelling. Reports about the upcoming Pirates project suggest that Robbie’s film will focus on a new crew of adventurers led by a bold and resourceful protagonist.
Though Disney hasn’t shared plot details, the approach could introduce a new world of eccentric pirates, rival captains, and mystical adventures that fit comfortably beside the legacy stories while opening new creative paths.
Bruckheimer, who has overseen every Pirates of the Caribbean installment since 2003, knows that Robbie’s charisma and audience approval give this reboot a major advantage.
He seems genuinely eager to get the new film right rather than rushing it into production just to meet fan demand. His comment that they “won’t move forward until [they] are satisfied” confirms that quality remains the top priority.
The Future of the Franchise Under Jerry Bruckheimer’s Guidance
Since the first Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl debuted over 20 years ago, the franchise has been both a creative and commercial triumph for Disney.
Each film combined humor and wild imagination with blockbuster spectacle, largely anchored by Johnny Depp’s Academy Award-nominated performance as Captain Jack Sparrow. However, after five films, many critics and fans agreed that the series had started to drift without a strong new direction.
When Bruckheimer teased multiple projects being developed simultaneously in 2022, some assumed one would feature Robbie’s new protagonist while the other might revisit the previous timeline.
Now, his confirmation that Robbie’s project is still alive signals that the female-led version could be the primary focus of Disney’s next expansion of the franchise.
Bruckheimer also emphasized that the studio’s brief move to television through Pirates of the Caribbean: Edge of History served an important role. “No, it was completely different.
We wanted to keep the name alive in the public eye,” he explained, adding that even a short-lived series contributed to keeping the franchise relevant. Though Disney canceled the show after one season, its existence reminded audiences that Pirates still has devoted fans ready for its cinematic comeback.
With Robbie now confirmed to still be part of the plan, and Elliot’s involvement ensuring narrative continuity, the pieces are coming together for a potential revival that respects the franchise’s roots while offering something new.
Johnny Depp’s Possible Future in the Series
One major question remains at the center of every Pirates of the Caribbean discussion: Will Johnny Depp ever return as Captain Jack Sparrow? His absence from Robbie’s version has fueled speculation that the franchise may completely move on.
In past interviews, Bruckheimer has expressed admiration for Depp’s contribution to the series, even saying in 2022 that he hoped the actor might reprise his role someday.
Pirates of the Caribbean 6 (Credit: Walt Disney Pictures)
However, the complexities surrounding Depp’s career in recent years have made any return uncertain. Given the studio’s quiet stance on the matter, it’s possible the two projects, one starring Robbie and the other tied to the traditional Pirates continuity, might proceed independently.
Still, many fans hold onto hope that Depp could appear in some capacity, even if just a cameo connecting the old and new generations. Such a crossover could create a smooth handoff between timelines, similar to legacy sequels seen in other long-running franchises.
A Franchise Ready for Reinvention
It has been nearly a decade since the last Pirates movie sailed into theaters, and Disney appears to be using this time wisely. Revisiting the franchise with a new star and refreshed storyline could reignite public interest while resetting the creative tone.
The secret to the original series’s success was its combination of unpredictable characters, supernatural tales, and treacherous adventure. Robbie’s Pirates film has the potential to recapture that spark while introducing a distinctly modern energy.
Bruckheimer’s track record of iconic franchises is a reassuring sign. From Top Gun: Maverick to Bad Boys for Life, he has repeatedly proven that reviving older properties can succeed when handled with respect and innovation.
His careful, incremental approach to developing Pirates of the Caribbean 6 suggests he understands how crucial it is to deliver a film worthy of the name.
Robbie’s confirmed involvement reaffirms that the franchise isn’t ready to be retired. Instead, Pirates might be poised for a new cinematic wave anchored by a different kind of hero, one whose charm, cunning, and ambition could redefine the series for a fresh generation of viewers.
For now, Pirates of the Caribbean 6 remains in development, but all signs indicate the ship is steering in the right direction. The combination of Disney’s commitment, Bruckheimer’s faith, and Robbie’s unmatched star appeal makes for an adventure worth the wait.
With the horizon now clearer than it has been in years, the Pirates saga seems ready to chart a new course one treasure map at a time.
Artificial intelligence has now stepped into the director’s chair. Italian film producer Andrea Iervolino, known for working on Ferrari and To the Bone, has created what he calls the first AI-directed feature film, The Sweet Idleness.
Scheduled for release in February 2026, the movie imagines a world where only one percent of humanity still works while the rest live in blissful leisure dependent on machines.
The project’s AI “director,” named FellinAI, is a programmed system designed to mimic the poetic style of legendary Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. According to Iervolino, FellinAI was not built to replace traditional filmmakers but to experiment with a new method of storytelling.
During production, Iervolino acted as a “human-in-the-loop,” overseeing creative decisions to ensure that the technology’s artistic choices remained coherent and meaningful.
This unusual production method coincides with a growing conversation about artificial intelligence’s rapid entry into creative industries. Just weeks earlier, Hollywood buzzed over news of Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated actress created with virtual likenesses who might soon sign with a real talent agency.
The appearance of both an AI actor and now an AI director has sparked strong reactions from actors, directors, and unions across the entertainment world.
While Iervolino frames the film as a positive experiment in co-creation, others see it as a troubling sign of what could come next.
Hollywood Divided: Praise, Fear, and Outrage
The announcement of The Sweet Idleness has arrived at a time when Hollywood remains wary of artificial intelligence’s influence. During the 2023–2024 union negotiations, AI was one of the central points of debate between major guilds and the big studios.
Both the Directors’ Guild of America (DGA) and SAG-AFTRA included clauses meant to protect human labor, fearing that production companies might leverage generative AI to cut costs or sidestep creative talent.
When news of the AI-driven film broke, several industry figures expressed renewed anxiety. Many see it as a direct test of those protections.
While no leading director has yet commented publicly on FellinAI, DGA’s National Executive Director Russ Hollander reiterated earlier this year that the union’s members “want to ensure AI complements their work, not replaces it.”
The DGA’s current agreement forbids the use of generative AI to substitute human direction or artistic responsibility, but that contract expires in 2026, the same year FellinAI’s film premieres.
The timing has not gone unnoticed. Christopher Nolan, recently elected as DGA president, will potentially oversee negotiations regarding new AI guidelines when the contract renewal begins.
Nolan, known for his deep respect for traditional film techniques, has long expressed skepticism toward automation in creative fields. Many expect him to lead a strong push against any trend that dilutes human craft.
The Sweet Idleness (Credit: Andrea Iervolino Company AI)
SAG-AFTRA’s response has been even sharper. The union condemned the recent introduction of Tilly Norwood, the AI actress, as an “immediate threat” to professional performers.
Justine Bateman, who participated in crafting the union’s 2023 AI agreements, criticized the current protective measures, saying studios can still employ synthetic actors by simply notifying SAG-AFTRA rather than seeking explicit member approval.
In this tense environment, The Sweet Idleness serves as a flashpoint. By positioning FellinAI not as a replacement but as a collaborator, Iervolino places himself in the heart of Hollywood’s biggest debate: can authenticity and automation coexist in art?
Andrea Iervolino’s Experiment: Between Innovation and Risk
For Andrea Iervolino, The Sweet Idleness represents a personal gamble. As the founder of the company Actor+, which develops digital performers based on real people’s likenesses, he has already invested heavily in virtual production. Yet this marks the first time his venture fully integrates AI as a creative decision-maker.
According to Iervolino, FellinAI was trained on decades of European cinematic imagery, with emphasis on the surreal and dreamlike atmosphere characteristic of mid-century Italian masters.
He describes the AI as “a tool to revive poetic storytelling” rather than mechanize it. His approach essentially asks AI to act not as a scriptwriter or renderer but as an autonomous artist capable of visualizing emotional tone, pacing, and frame composition.
Despite reassurance that humans still steer the final process, many question what authorship truly means under such conditions.
If a program directs camera movement, selects lighting patterns, and influences narrative rhythm, then how much artistic credit belongs to its human supervisor? For creative unions, this uncertainty threatens core definitions of creative ownership and labor rights.
Iervolino argues that The Sweet Idleness was guided by strict ethical oversight to prevent AI misuse. He explains that every decision went through a human review process and that FellinAI’s functioning was monitored through transparent data logs. The intent, he says, is to “extend creativity, not diminish it.”
Still, skepticism dominates industry circles. Critics worry that even a supervised success could motivate studios to invest further in AI-directed projects, reducing budgets for human-led productions. Others see the film as inevitable, not a threat, but a preview of cinema’s next evolutionary phase.
The Broader Cultural Impact
Beyond studio politics, what makes this moment historic is its cultural symbolism. Cinema, long considered the most human of storytelling forms, now confronts the question of consciousness not within its narratives but behind its lens.
Since its invention, filmmaking has balanced art and technology. From sound to CGI, every leap forward has triggered creative anxiety before becoming indispensable.
Yet artificial intelligence feels different, less like a new tool and more like a new participant. Technology that interprets emotion, composes shots, and defines aesthetic tone blurs the distinction between maker and made.
Many artists argue that human emotion, lived experience, and intuition remain irreplaceable ingredients of storytelling. Others counter that AI could democratize filmmaking, allowing smaller creators to realize ambitious visions without studio resources.
The Sweet Idleness stands right in the middle of that philosophical divide a film both futuristic and reflective, as its narrative about an idle, machine-run society mirrors the creative reality of its own production.
If successful, its release may alter the hierarchy of creative work forever. Viewers will compare not just performances and story, but the essence of authorship itself. Can a machine truly make art that feels alive? Or is it merely reflecting what humanity already taught it to dream?
The Future of Art in the Machine Age
As The Sweet Idleness approaches its 2026 release, anticipation and apprehension continue to grow. The film may mark a turning point similar to when CGI revolutionized visual storytelling, or it might become an ethical case study on how far creative industries are willing to integrate automation.
Whether audiences accept FellinAI as a legitimate director or dismiss it as a marketing gimmick, the implications are lasting. Upcoming negotiations between DGA, SAG-AFTRA, the WGA, and AMPTP will likely reference the film as evidence either of innovation or intrusion.
In an entertainment industry already defined by streaming wars, digital doubles, and virtual production, this experiment pushes the boundaries of authorship to their limits.
Andrea Iervolino’s statement that “FellinAI is not intended to replace traditional cinema” reflects both caution and ambition. It acknowledges that cinema’s identity rests on human imagination while admitting that machines now play an active role in shaping it.
One thing is clear: The Sweet Idleness is not just another movie. It’s a test of whether art directed by algorithms can stir the human heart and whether Hollywood is ready for a future where the director might be software.
