Paul, Apostle of Christ

Critics Consensus

Paul, Apostle of Christ proves a well-intentioned yet disappointingly diffuse interpretation of a Bible story whose flashes of potential never come close to living up to the source material.

46%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 37

81%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,609
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Movie Info

Paul, Apostle of Christ is the story of two men. Luke, as a friend and physician, risks his life every time he ventures into the city of Rome to visit Paul, who is held captive in Nero's darkest, bleakest prison cell. Before Paul's death sentence can be enacted, Luke resolves to write another book, one that details the beginnings of "The Way" and the birth of what will come to be known as the church. But Nero is determined to rid Rome of Christians, and does not flinch from executing them in the grisliest ways possible. Bound in chains, Paul's struggle is internal. He has survived so much--floggings, shipwreck, starvation, stoning, hunger and thirst, cold and exposure--yet as he waits for his appointment with death, he is haunted by the shadows of his past misdeeds. Alone in the dark, he wonders if he has been forgotten... and if he has the strength to finish well. Two men struggle against a determined emperor and the frailties of the human spirit in order to bequeath the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for some violent content and disturbing images)
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Directed By:
    Andrew Hyatt
  • Written By:
    Andrew Hyatt
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Affirm Films

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Cast

Jim Caviezel
as Luke
James Faulkner
as Paul
Olivier Martinez
Joanne Whalley
as Priscilla
John Lynch
as Aquilla

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Critic Reviews for Paul, Apostle of Christ

All Critics (37) | Top Critics (10)

  • A somber, moving portrait of one of the early church's most significant figures, who led the way at a time when Christians were being burned alive in the streets of Rome, or condemned to death in the arena.

    Jun 14, 2018 | Full Review…

    Justin Chang

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic

  • Largely devoid of sensationalism, a film that delves quietly into substantive issues of belief and forgiveness.

    Mar 27, 2018 | Full Review…

    Bilge Ebiri

    Village Voice
    Top Critic

  • Fails to fully develop the stakes at hand, but it features more thoughtful world-building than most faith-based films, as well as a bracing honesty about the difficulty of reconciling idealistic credos with a harsh and unforgiving world.

    Mar 22, 2018 | Full Review…

    Inkoo Kang

    TheWrap
    Top Critic

  • A few minutes of thriller-like tension early on gives way to a lot of tediously scripted scenes of whisper-acting that rarely breathe life and humanity into what should be a potent turning point story in a religion's history.

    Mar 22, 2018 | Full Review…

    Robert Abele

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic

  • Caviezel gives a stoic performance as the brave and selfless Luke. Lynch and Whalley are excellent as the husband and wife Christian community leaders Aquila and Priscilla. Costumes, sets, cinematography and editing are all first-rate.

    Mar 22, 2018 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Richard Roeper

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • "Paul, Apostle of Christ" struggles to find a compelling entry point to a critical period in the early Christian church ...

    Mar 22, 2018 | Full Review…

    Peter Debruge

    Variety
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (37)

Audience Reviews for Paul, Apostle of Christ

  • Jun 25, 2018
    Paul: Apostle of Christ is an inspiring film about the trials and tribulations faced by the early church. As the Apostle Paul awaits execution the Church of Rome sends for Luke to help him and get his guidance on whether they should persevere in the face of Roman persecution or flee the city. Jim Caviezel gives an incredible performance and is backed by a strong supporting cast, including Olivier Martinez and Joanne Whalley. And the film has a powerful message about overcoming hate with love and sacrificing for one's beliefs. Also, the sets and costumes are especially well-done, helping to create an authentic feel for the time period. Still, there are a few narrative issues, with Paul's backstory being awkwardly inserted in flashbacks throughout the film. Yet despite having a few weaknesses, Paul: Apostle of Christ is an extraordinarily compelling biblical drama.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
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