Watch The Young Messiah

The Young Messiah is a movie directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh and released in 2016. The plot follows Jesus Christ in his childhood years, as he discovers his divine identity and navigates the complexities of growing up in a world ruled by Roman oppressors. Adam Greaves-Neal stars as the young Jesus, a curious and intelligent boy who is gradually coming to terms with his unique place in the world. As the son of Mary (Sara Lazzaro) and Joseph (Vincent Walsh), Jesus is loved and protected by his parents, but also faces many challenges and dangers in his day-to-day life.

The movie is set in the year 7 AD, when Jesus is seven years old and living with his family in Alexandria, Egypt. The opening scene shows Jesus performing a miracle, healing a bird that has fallen from a tree. This sets the tone for the rest of the story, as we see Jesus using his powers to help others and bring hope to those around him.

Mary and Joseph are portrayed as loving and caring parents who are aware of their son's unique abilities but struggling to understand the full implications of his divine nature. They are forced to flee to their hometown of Nazareth when they learn that Herod the Great (Jonathan Bailey) is searching for Jesus, fearing that he may be a threat to his reign.

Along the way, Jesus interacts with various characters such as a young Roman soldier who is initially hostile towards him but ultimately becomes his friend, and a group of Jewish rebels who see him as a potential leader in their fight against the Romans.

One of the major themes of the movie is Jesus's struggle to understand his place in the world and come to terms with his destiny. He seeks guidance from his parents and from the wise Rabbi who recognizes his special qualities and tries to teach him about the nature of God.

The Young Messiah also explores the political and religious tensions of the time period, with the Romans viewed as cruel and oppressive occupiers and the Jews divided by various factions with competing agendas. The movie touches on the themes of faith and doubt, loyalty and betrayal, and the power of forgiveness and compassion.

Throughout the movie, there are numerous references to events and themes from the Bible, such as Jesus's baptism by John the Baptist and his confrontation with the Pharisees in the Temple. However, the movie is not a strict retelling of the Biblical story, but rather a fictionalized account that imagines what the young Jesus might have experienced and felt.

The acting in the movie is strong, particularly from Adam Greaves-Neal who gives a convincing portrayal of the young Jesus. Vincent Walsh and Sara Lazzaro also do well as Mary and Joseph, portraying them as loving and relatable characters who are struggling with their own doubts and fears.

Overall, The Young Messiah is a well-crafted and engaging movie that offers a fresh perspective on the story of Jesus. While it may not satisfy those looking for a strictly Biblical account, it is nonetheless an intriguing and thought-provoking portrayal of the early years of one of the world's most influential figures.

The Young Messiah is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 51 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 33.