Parents' Guide to

Risen

By S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Faith-based drama has battle, crucifixion violence.

Movie PG-13 2016 107 minutes
Risen Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 12+

Based on 7 parent reviews

Ninska
Ninska Adult
April 4, 2021
age 7+

This movie is for teenages to adults but you can watch it with younger kids

Awesome, awesome movie! If you want your kids to know Christ is not a fairy tale but a historical fact....Watched it with my sons 6 and 12 years old. We split it into two evenings... Great acting, great music, beautifully done. The movie focuses on what happened after Christ was crucified. Romans fighting, Jesus covered in blood on the cross but they managed to show these scenes without being graphic. My 6 year old didn't have to cover his eyes. I have no idea why the rating is so low, also there is one star for sex, but there was no reference to s.e.x in the movie at all. There will be death, like Romans refusing to believe Christ resurrected and trying to find his body among the other dead bodies by Golgofa. But nothing graphic. Great, inspiring, full of faith and joy! Great movie for Easter.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
fritho
fritho Adult
November 30, 2020
age 12+

great movie

Love this movie! I really liked how this movie is from the point of view of a roman soldier who seriously doubts the reality of Christ as God. Loved how he was very Cynical but eventually the reality of Christ came out. I felt it was Bible honoring while being a great extra biblical novel from the point of a roman. Loved it

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Clavius (Joseph Fiennes), a high-ranking Roman soldier, is given an usual assignment: Protect the tomb of Jewish prophet Yeshua (Cliff Curtis) -- said to be the son of God -- who has just been crucified, and make sure his followers don't steal the corpse. But the next morning, the tomb is open, the guards are missing, and so is the body, leaving Clavius to track down the disciples and find out what happened. When he finally locates Yeshua, Clavius is rocked to the core to find him alive and well, prompting the Roman to reevaluate his beliefs.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7):
Kids say (11):

Fine acting by stars Fiennes and Tom Felton (as Lucius) elevates RISEN somewhat, even if it's hampered by a straightforward script that doesn't leave much room for lyricism or depth. A Biblical tale this epic arguably has endless potential for artistry, but instead, Risen feels more like a lesson than a work of art, and one that's pretty thin at that.

It's fascinating to start the story after Jesus is crucified and disappears from the tomb -- since we've seen the lead-up in many other films -- as well as to have it unfurl with the fictional Clavius at its center. But ultimately the story feels underdeveloped and peters out in the end when it should crescendo. It's a disappointing finish to a film that starts with much promise.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Risen's violence. What role does it play in the story? Do you think all of it is necessary to tell the story effectively? Did the different types (battles vs. crucifixion) have different impacts on you? Why do you think that is?

  • How does Risen compare to other faith-based movies about the life of Jesus Christ?

  • Talk about Clavius' choices. Why does he abandon his position as a high-ranking Roman soldier? What does he see that makes him question his beliefs?

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