The Passion of the Christ
Mel Gibson’s severe biblical historical drama follows Jesus through the final hours of betrayal, political condemnation, torture, and crucifixion.
Overview
A harrowing journey through faith and sacrifice unfolds as one man faces his ultimate trial.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- reverent
- harrowing
- brooding
- religious reflection
- easter viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly recognized the film's committed direction, striking production, and visceral religious imagery while remaining divided over its extreme violence, limited contextualization, and potentially inflammatory depiction of Jewish authorities.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jesus's flagellation, carrying of the cross, and crucifixion are presented with sustained bodily detail.
The narrative concentrates on approximately the final twelve hours of Jesus's life, from prayer and arrest through crucifixion.
The film foregrounds devotional representations of Christ's suffering and sacrificial death, drawing on Gospel and Catholic traditions.
Jesus is tried by Jewish religious leaders and brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judaea, in Jerusalem.
Films like The Passion of the Christ, and why
The Last Temptation of Christ
shared biblical subject matter, historical drama, religious devotion, and intense depiction of martyrdom
The King of Kings
shared ancient religious history, sword-and-sandal setting, political persecution, and brutal violence
Ben-Hur
shared historical drama, Christian themes, sacrificial suffering, and reverent visual grandeur
Risen
shared biblical narrative, Roman occupation, spiritual themes, and emotionally severe historical spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Mel Gibson
- Release Date
- 2004-02-25
- Runtime
- 127 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (5362)
Cast
- Jim Caviezel
- Maia Morgenstern
- Christo Jivkov
- Francesco De Vito
- Monica Bellucci
- Mattia Sbragia
- Toni Bertorelli
- Luca Lionello
- Hristo Shopov
- Claudia Gerini
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Passion of the Christ about?
- Mel Gibson’s severe biblical historical drama follows Jesus through the final hours of betrayal, political condemnation, torture, and crucifixion.
- What is The Passion of the Christ like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Passion of the Christ as brisk, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Passion of the Christ violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Passion of the Christ as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Passion of the Christ?
- Critics broadly recognized the film's committed direction, striking production, and visceral religious imagery while remaining divided over its extreme violence, limited contextualization, and potentially inflammatory depiction of Jewish authorities.
- Which films are like The Passion of the Christ?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Temptation of Christ, The King of Kings, Ben-Hur, and Risen.
- How long is The Passion of the Christ?
- The Passion of the Christ runs 127 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Passion of the Christ?
- In United States, The Passion of the Christ is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
