Ever get the impression that there aren’t any original stories in films these days? Well you have a point but it’s not always been that different. For example the story of Jesus has been used multiple times for movies, even ones that he isn’t in. Those of you who have listened to the Screenkicker podcast may now doubt the existence of God but that theological quandary isn’t going to be discussed here. So since it’s the big man’s birthday next week I thought we’d have a look at the top five Jesus movies that Jesus isn’t in!
The Matrix Trilogy
The bible talked a lot about how Christ was a charismatic teacher who often kept audiences rapt for days on end. So it might seem a stretch to compare him to a character played by Keanu Reeves. However look a little closer and it all makes sense. Neo is ‘born’ in an incredibly messy virgin birth, his coming as the chosen one prophecised by the John the Baptist style Morpheus. Swap the Romans for machines and you have an epic where our hero sacrifices himself for the sake of mankind. An excellent introduction to the sweet kung-fu skills Jesus used to kick the money lenders out of the temple.
The Green Mile
John Coffey, J.C (get it?) is executed for a crime he didn’t commit but before that he heals the afflicted using only his touch and inspires his persecutors with his bravery and goodness. This one isn’t subtle in any way but doesn’t need to be. Remembered fondly for the breakout performance by the late Michael Clarke Duncan and the emotionally charged finale. A religious allegory in the best sense of the word.
Man of Steel
A controversial choice as it could be argued that Superman is based on the story of Moses who was placed in a basket and and floated down the Nile to save him from the Pharoah. But the story of Kal-El also has some strong similarities to the JC story. Supes does a shitload of miracles, saves tonnes of people and speaks to his father in a giant ice fortress. The ice palace was cut from the final version of the Bible dues to pacing issues. Honest!
E.T
Imagine if Christ was an alien with creepily long fingers and a face and body that resemble a turd. That’s E.T. Our immigrant friend performs miracles, is persecuted by the rulers of the land, apparently dies, and then leaves our world. Prefers the use of a flying bicycle over a donkey as his primary mode of transport. Rumours that Jesus had a long glowing finger are unfounded. The innocent choice of Jesus film. Unlike the next one.
RoboCop
The most Jesus-ish (real word? Should be) movie ever is Paul Verhoeven’s ultraviolent, satirical , sci-fi classic. It has all of the elements that any JC film should contain: violent death of lead character – check, resurrection – check, walking on water – check, miracles check. Robocop has it all. This one has even been described by it’s director as a flick that asks the question ‘what if Jesus was American?’. The answer of course is the story of a robot that can produce a gun from it’s leg and murder the shit out of criminals. Amen.
Can you think of anymore? Commando might be a bit of a stretch as we all know it’s the story of Jeremiah. Get in touch below. For the complete opposite of this article check out why I think Zooey Deschanel is the Anti-Christ. Oh and Merry Christmas everyone!
Screenkicker! 
Awesome job!
A few others: Frodo, John Connor, R.O.T.O.R.
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I thought R.O.T.O.R was a soulless killing machine that adhered to no moral code?
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Precisely. Just like Jesus.
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Hahaha!
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In ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’, Randall P. McMurphy is martyred and his twelve disciples in the hospital follow him on water and land….
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Thats a great on Cindy. Also I forgot about Cool Hand Luke!
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I love that shot of Paul Newman after he ate the eggs and he’s positioned on the table to look like JC.
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Me too!
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That one Mel Gibson did with Jim Caviezel.
Do another podcast. That guy Chris is a real talent.
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Thats a good addition
Sadly Chris won’t be returning to the podcast. Listener feedback in general liked me and Denis. Chris was described as ‘smug’ and ‘too Scottish’ .
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Haha wasn’t expecting to like this, but I did. Very tongue in cheek. You could add the last movie from the Harry potter franchise to this list .
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Thanks! Yeah HP is good too. I can’t believe how many good ones I for about!
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Great list Mikey! Very true that Jesus has been used multiple times for movies, and Superman is one I thought of right away. I LOVE The Green Mile, and John Coffey personifies the goodness of Christ more than anyone on this list!
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I agree, Green Mile is excellent and you’re right its the best one for expressing the goodness in JC 🙂
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Dark Knight Rises….Batman=Jesus….Catwoman=Sinner saved by grace or Mary Magdalene…..Bane=Devil Duh!!!…..Liam Neeson’s daughter=Judas…..Gotham=The World…..Robin=One of the disciples. Need I say more.
Cool article bro.
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Cheers bro. Although I have an article coming up about my theories to do with the dark knight trilogy!
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Ooooh cool list! Never really thought about the Jesusness of these films. I’ll have to take time to ponder some, but offhand I can think of one Jesusy moment: Spider-Man 2 on the train when the people carry him over their heads? I’ve always thought it was a little Jesus-heavy…Pun intended?
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Thats a great jesus moment! Even the way he has to stop the train with his arms held out in a Jesusish pose. Nice one Cara!
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Great article Mikey, very entertaining, and it would seem, true! I never noticed! Boo to you for thinking Zooey is the antichrist though!
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Haha, all the Zooey defenders are crawling out of the woodwork!
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This has been annoying me…gladiator? Does that count?
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You’re going for the roman angle there. No it doesn’t work, stop trying to fit all films into the jesus story. Next you’ll be telling me License to Kill is about Christ
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Awesome list. Totally agree re man of steel. They really lay the whole superman=jesus thing on thick.
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I know. However I must have missed the bit in the bible where Joseph dies trying to rescue the family dog!
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Can’t believe you never mentioned The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe
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I actually thought a lot about whether to include it but in the end I didn’t because it was written specifically as a christian allegory
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Ha! Love this list. 🙂 Jesus films without Jesus actually in them are the best!
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Tell that to Mel Gibson 🙂
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Great list. As I was watching Man of Steel I also noticed the parallels. And I knew there was something about ET that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. 😉
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Haha your big glowing freaky finger!
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Nice idea for a top 5 (and some fine choices too)! Great to see The Green Mile’s John Coffey make the list, that film always makes me reach for the tissues to wipe away a tear.
I love RoboCop but there’s one scene that I have to turn my head away from the screen for. AND…it’s the very screenshot you’ve used to represent the film! Argh! 🙂
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The scene in Robocop that disgusts me is when the guy gets toxic waste on him and then hit by a van. Its horrible!
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Reblogged this on Screenkicker! and commented:
Happy Easter everyone, I hope you’re having a fun day of killing rabbits and feasting on their chocolatey ovaries. At least I think that’s what happens, it’s been a while. To remind you of the real reason for Easter here’s another look at the top movies about Jesus that the big man isn’t in. Enjoy!
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After I watched all the above movies I also thought it was the story of Jesus. The Matrix is a really big one actually. Even the name Neo can be considered as “One” as in “The Chosen One”. And with the name Trinity, It would be hard to miss the theology in it. Awesome post;)
I also wanted to stop by and let you know that I recently moved to a self-hosted site and the following is the latest post:
http://www.younfolded.com/2016/03/20/younfolded-temporary-maintenance/
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Nice list.
THat ET picture is just about the creepiest.
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