Parents' Guide to

The Last Temptation of Christ

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Controversial epic with brutality, sex. Mature teens only.

Movie R 1988 164 minutes
The Last Temptation of Christ Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 3 parent reviews

cmadler
cmadler Adult
April 11, 2020
age 17+

An outstanding movie that is absolutely not for children

This is a fantastic film, but it is not for children, period. This is what I'd call a "hard R" movie -- not talking about comic-book-style violence or hinted at sex.
JenniferSpears
JenniferSpears Adult
March 7, 2020
age 17+

Not for kids

Not appropriate content, my kids will not be seeing this.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST a distinctly humanized Jesus Christ (Willem Dafoe) begins to build his ministry and preach the gospel of love and compassion. Set in a time leading up to his crucifixion, Jesus struggles against the aggression of the forces of the Roman Empire on a quest to conquer the Holy Land. He attempts to protect the land's citizens while bringing a new and relevant spirituality into their lives. At the same time, supported by a growing band of disciples, Jesus battles the demons and weaknesses within himself: self-doubt, a complex and difficult relationship with God, and the temptations of the sensual world around him. In opposition to most doctrine about the Christ figure, in this film (and the novel upon which it's based) Jesus must make a momentous choice between a life of the spirit and a life of "the flesh."

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (3):

In a film infused with artistry and passion, director Martin Scorsese has created a new kind of religious epic. The film is original, intense, and technically solid. The integrity of the music, production design, attention to time and place, and portrayal of the masses of people who inhabited that part of the world all contribute to the film's authenticity. Certainly, having based his film on a novel thought radical by many, Mr. Scorsese doesn't expect his audience to accept the premise as truth but has offered another way of imagining and exploring the life of Jesus Christ. The film's violence and sexuality may make some uncomfortable. A few odd-sounding dialects may distract. But it's another impressive effort from a master filmmaker. Not recommended for kids; mature teens only.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the brutality in this movie. How did it make you feel? How do you determine when a film is too violent?

  • How was this portrayal of Jesus different from others you've seen? In what ways did this Jesus seem more like a real person? Why do you think the filmmakers made this choice?

  • This movie had staunch critics who wanted to prevent its release and later protested in front of theaters. What do you think they objected to? Define "censorship." How do you feel about it?

Movie Details

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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.

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