Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Poetic but detached biblical drama gets pretty violent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Daniel and the Fiery Furnace
What's the Story?
DANIEL AND THE FIERY FURNACE recounts the early days of the biblical prophet Daniel (Mena Massoud) and his three friends—Shadrach (Sunjay Midda), Meshach (Adam Lahraoui), and Abednego (Zaki Ali)—as they endure harsh trials under King Nebuchadnezzar's (Elijah Alexander) rule during their exile to Babylon. Their faith is put to the ultimate test when the friends are thrown into the fire, facing impossible odds.
Is It Any Good?
A poetic interpretation of the popular bible story, this drama paints a vivid picture of biblical times but occasionally burns dry thanks to emotionally detached delivery. Strict and serious, Daniel and the Fiery Furnace captures the passion and essence of the original Daniel story, but its world-building falls short of today's entertainment standards. While the visual allegory is as beautiful as the landscapes, they can't replace emotion—just as elaborate prayers and forceful tears can't fully connect viewers with the characters' humanity (especially due to Massoud's over-the-top, distant performance).
The movie's pageantry, overdone CGI, and slo-mo B-roll scenes feel cold, missing much-needed humor, character building, and curiosity. The result is that faith doesn't feel as approachable here as it has in other films. While it may spark viewers' curiosity and desire to compare the movie to the original source material, this new take on an old tale fizzles on the relatability front.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Daniel and the Fiery Furnace portrays faith. Does the movie make faith seem easy or difficult? How so? Is it easy to stand up for your beliefs when people disagree with you?
What did you know about Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego before the film? After? Did the movie change or strengthen anything that you thought about this biblical story? How so?
How is this film similar to the original Bible story? How is it different? Is there a difference between something being dramatic for entertainment and something being biblically accurate? Why is it important to compare a film about a historical or biblical event to the original source?
How does the story show the importance of courage, perseverance, and integrity?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 18, 2026
- Cast : Mena Massoud , Elijah Alexander , Zaki Ali
- Directors : Matthew Kooman , Daniel Kooman
- Studio : eKKL Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Adventures , Faith ( Christianity ) , Friendship , History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time : 108 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence/bloody images
- Last updated : September 23, 2026
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