Light of the World is a 2025 Christian-based animated feature that truly surprised me with its quality. The first thing that stands out is the animation. It's vivid, well-polished, and at times feels like the characters are stepping right out of the screen-even when you're just watching in regular format. There's a smoothness and life to the visuals that gives the film a high production value you don't always get with faith-based animation.
One of the most unique aspects of this movie is how it depicts the disciples. Instead of just showing them as grown men, we get a mix of ages-children, teenagers, and adults-all deeply invested in following Christ. This was refreshing, because so often the disciples are only shown as older men, and here the director took a risk by giving us different perspectives. John, in particular, is portrayed as young, and the story really centers on him and Peter, while still weaving in others like Andrew, Matthew, Simon, and yes-even Judas.
What I appreciated is that this film didn't just dwell on the Judas betrayal storyline we've seen so many times. Instead, it gave space to different disciples' experiences and allowed us to see events unfold through their eyes. It made the familiar narrative feel new again.
Now, I have to talk about the crucifixion scene. For an animated feature, it doesn't shy away from intensity. There's blood, lacerations, and deeply unsettling moments that really emphasize the brutality of the sacrifice. It was gut-wrenching but powerful-and I think it was important that the filmmakers didn't sugarcoat it. The resurrection, of course, was equally moving, bringing the story to its rightful, hope-filled conclusion.
My biggest critique isn't about the film itself, but about timing. The market is absolutely flooded with Christian films this year alone-we've had King of Kings from Angel Studios, The Last Supper from another production house, and The Last Supper: Chapter 1-4 from The Chosen. They're all incredible in their own right, but releasing so many back-to-back makes them start to blur together. Honestly, I think Light of the World would have had a much stronger impact if it was saved for next Easter season instead of dropping in September. Right now, it risks getting lost in the shuffle.
That said, this is a beautifully crafted, heartfelt movie that works for kids and adults alike. It captures the story of Christ in a unique way, through different eyes, with strong animation and emotional weight. I do recommend it-just know that it may gain more recognition when it hits streaming platforms than in its theatrical run.
