A.D.: The Bible Continues

Movie review by Kari Croop, Common Sense Media
A.D.: The Bible Continues Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Faithful drama doesn't shy from Bible's bloodiest moments.

NR 2015 60 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 17+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 3 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Stands out for .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that A.D.: The Bible Continues documents the violence of Jesus Christ's crucifixion in considerable detail, showing nails being driven into Jesus' hands, a spear being thrust into his side, and other bloody acts. Words such as "damned" or "shut up" are used, albeit infrequently. Some characters kiss and drink socially.

Community Reviews

Momof1kiddo
Momof1kiddo Adult
January 9, 2019
age 18+

Everything gratuitous but the Gospel

We were really excited to get this series, but midway through the second disk, we are actually debating whether or not to continue. There's no way we'll allow our sensitive son to watch this while he's a child. We know that violence and horrific conditions were reality under Roman rule, but what struck me most was that the message of the Gospel as preached by Jesus and later by his disciples was cut short and left a person longing to hear more, while the violence was never in short supply. The violence was constant, gratuitous, and not healthy for anyone to have in their mind and heart. I get that perhaps they were trying to prevent a "been there, done that" experience that can happen when one has grown up in a church pew and read the Bible their whole lives, but there is a fine line between portraying the story in a vivid way and being able to do it in a way that fulfills the admonition of Philippians 4:8. There were also issues with some of the historical details that could have been better. Overall, as a parent, this is not something I'd ever want my child to watch, and as an adult, I'm not sure I should continue to watch it. And after reading a review about sex and a rape shown, I'm really wondering. It's possible to portray the truth without putting images that are ultimately unhealthy and evil in a person's mind. This movie fails in that department, and I'm disappointed that the Plugged In review we read failed to really outline what we'd see. As Christians, I don't think this movie is one I can recommend to another Christian. And when considering it as a way to share Jesus with those who don't know Him, I'm not sure this is a great tool for that either.

This title has:

Too much violence
1 person found this helpful.
Derek B.
Derek B. Adult
June 13, 2021
age 15+

(15+) Because of violence

No one under the age of 15+ because of the violence but it’s an great show because it is based on the book of acts from the Bible

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Picking up where the epic docudrama The Bible left off, A.D.: THE BIBLE CONTINUES tells the story of Jesus Christ's (Juan Pablo Di Pace) crucifixion and his disciples' efforts to carry on his ministry after his death, as described in the books of the New Testament. The series also explores the political and religious realities of the era through the actions of key players such as Caiaphus (Richard Coyle), Pontius Pilate (Vincent Regan), and Antipas (James Callis).

Is It Any Good?

This movie is grand in scope, but not always grand in production quality. A.D.: The Bible Continues marks the second time Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice, The Voice) and his wife, Roma Downey, have teamed up to bring a biblical epic to television (the first being The Bible, which originally aired on the History Channel and cast Downey in the role of Mother Mary). Downey doesn't reprise her role in A.D.; Greta Scacchi plays it. But eagle-eyed Downton Abbey fans will spot (with some amusement) that the series' beloved but bumbling Mr. Molesley (Kevin Doyle) appears here as Joseph of Arimathea, the wealthy and rather elegant man who offered his own tomb for Jesus’s burial.

The series gets points for sticking closely to its source material and promoting positive messages that, though steeped in Christian tradition, have widespread appeal -- among them faith, hope, love, and loyalty. But viewers who don't come from a Christian background aren't likely to care about (or, in some cases, even understand) what they're seeing on-screen, especially since A.D.'s Jesus is the character who lacks the most depth and, by extension, feels the least relatable.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the intended audience for A.D.: The Bible Continues. Who's the most likely to watch? Is being a Christian a prerequisite to understanding and enjoying it?

  • How does the depiction of Christ's crucifixion and the events that followed it in A.D.: The Bible Continues compare to other depictions? Does it do anything differently? If not, why revisit a story that's been told so many times?

  • The violence in A.D.: The Bible Continues is realistic, but at what point does realistic become gratuitous? How much blood is too much?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

Themes & Topics

Browse titles with similar subject matter.

  • Cartoon picture of a book
    Book Characters
    See all
  • Cartoon picture of a map and jug
    History
    See all

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate