Watch Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk
- 2018
- 1 hr 36 min
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6.0 (748)
Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that explores the idea of religious upbringing and how it can affect a teenager's life. The movie follows the journey of Gabe (played by Sasha Feldman), a young boy who grows up in a strict Jehovah's Witness household in California. Gabe struggles with his faith, his identity, and his sexuality as he navigates his way through his teenage years.
The film starts with Gabe and his best friend Charlie (played by Nicholas Harsin) as they enter high school. Gabe is a devout Jehovah's Witness, and Charlie is his only friend who shares the same faith. They both attend meetings, preach door-to-door, and live their lives according to the strict rules of the organization. Gabe's entire world revolves around his faith, and he finds it challenging to connect with his non-Witness classmates, who he views as "worldly."
Things start to change when Gabe meets Heather (played by Kit DeZolt), a non-Witness girl in his class who he starts to develop feelings for. Heather is wild, rebellious, and completely different from anyone Gabe has ever known. As their relationship develops, Gabe begins to question everything he has been taught about the world and the people in it. He starts to see the hypocrisy within his own faith and realizes that he might not agree with all of its teachings.
As Gabe struggles with his identity and faith, he also grapples with his sexuality. He starts to realize that he might be gay, which goes against everything he has been taught about relationships and marriage. He confides in Heather, who supports him, but he knows that he can never come out to his family or his congregation.
Throughout the movie, Gabe is haunted by the memory of his father, who was disfellowshipped (excommunicated) from the congregation for breaking the rules of the organization. Gabe's father is a constant reminder of the consequences of going against the congregation's teachings, and Gabe fears that he will suffer the same fate if he continues to pursue his relationship with Heather or explores his sexuality.
Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk is a powerful movie that explores the complexities of growing up in a strict religious environment. It depicts the inner conflict faced by Gabe as he starts to form his own opinions and beliefs and goes against the teachings of his faith. The movie is a beautiful portrayal of the struggle many teenagers face when they start to question their faith, their identity, and their place in the world.
The film is anchored by powerful performances from its leads. Sasha Feldman delivers a nuanced performance as Gabe, capturing the character's conflicting emotions and inner turmoil as he starts to question his faith. Nicholas Harsin is equally impressive as Charlie, creating a relatable character who is torn between his loyalty to his friend and his own doubts about the organization. Kit DeZolt brings a vibrant energy to the role of Heather, providing a stark contrast to Gabe's strict world.
The movie is also notable for its re-creation of the Jehovah's Witness world. This includes scenes depicting meetings, door-to-door preaching, and the strict rules and regulations imposed by the organization. The movie provides a unique insight into this world, showing the effects of strict religious upbringing on young individuals.
Overall, Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk is a must-see movie for anyone who has ever struggled with their faith or their identity. It is a powerful and emotional portrayal of a young man's journey as he tries to break free from the constraints of his religious upbringing and discovers his true self.
Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.