Synopsis
Clavius, a powerful Roman military tribune, and his aide, Lucius, are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus in the weeks following the crucifixion, in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.
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Cast
- Joseph FiennesClavius
- Peter FirthPontius Pilate
- Cliff CurtisYeshua
- Tom FeltonLucius
- Mark KilleenAntonius
- María BottoMary Magdalene
- Mish BoykoJohn
- Selva RasalingamJames
- Stewart ScudamorePeter
- Antonio GilJoseph of Arimathea
Recommendations
- 88
The Seattle Times
With intelligence and great moviemaking skill, [Reynolds] has created a classic variation on a venerated ancient theme. - 75
Movie Nation
Yes, it’s aimed at believers. But Reynolds & Co. avoid the traps of Mel Gibson’s movie and many others by making these times horrifically real, but these Biblical figures and what they were about compelling in their kindness, soft-selling their message so sweetly that even a Roman with blood on his hands will question his Empire, his religion and his way of living before all is said and done. - 75
Boston Globe
As played by Fiennes, who has the aquiline face and piercing eyes of Max Van Sydow, Clavius is no pushover. You believe his disbelief, so when it wavers, yours might as well. - 67
Entertainment Weekly
Risen is more entertaining than Bible-adjacent stories are usually allowed to be. - 60
New York Daily News
In the end, you get a Sunday morning sermon when what you really want is a Saturday midnight screening. - 60
Arizona Republic
The film, directed and co-written by Kevin Reynolds ("Fandango," um, "Waterworld"), is a nice-enough telling of the Resurrection of Jesus, which at times seems like it also wants to be a Very Special Episode of "CSI: Jerusalem." It's well-made and well-acted. - 60
The Hollywood Reporter
Risen is fairly engrossing in its thriller-like section, with Fiennes' restrained performance providing a solid dramatic anchor and the Maori actor Curtis being a nice change from the usual blonde-hair/blue-eyed Jesus. But when the film shifts into inspirational territory it ironically becomes far more prosaic, depicting the miracles in a low-budget, low-key fashion that will hardly win any converts. - 58
The A.V. Club
Refreshingly unpretentious, Risen reimagines the Gospel as an ancient Roman cop movie.
