“The King of Kings,” Angel Studio’s new children’s film on the life of Christ, hits theaters on April 11th. Here’s everything you need to know before heading to the cinema!

A father’s storytelling lens

The film tells the story of salvation history as narrated by a father, Charles Dickens, to his young son. Loosely inspired by Dickens’ lesser-known work The Life of Our Lord—written in the 1840s for his own children—the film offers a family-friendly overview of the Gospel. This animated adaptation maintains a kid-approved blend of clean, engaging humor while still managing to cover a wide range of Gospel stories.

By framing Jesus’ life as a bedtime story, the film invites viewers to see the Gospel through a child’s eyes. The son’s reactions often guide young viewers through emotionally intense moments, such as the near-stoning of the woman caught in adultery or the crucifixion. These responses help children process complex themes with empathy and clarity.

Though Charles Dickens serves as the narrator, the story could have been told just as effectively by any father in any era. Making Jesus’ life a metadrama within Dickens’ world sometimes feels a bit unnecessary, but the device is still warm and endearing.

Language and tone of Jesus

“The King of Kings” makes strong efforts to present the Gospel in a relatable and accessible manner. Viewers should note that Jesus’ dialogue is often paraphrased or summarized from Scripture, with only occasional direct quotations. His tone is respectful throughout, but frequently modern and casual in style.

For example, when confronted with the woman caught in adultery, Jesus says, “Fine, I tell you what. Anyone here who has never sinned can throw the first stone. Go ahead, I’ll wait.” At other times, such as when rebuking Peter, he uses more traditional Scripture, saying, “Get behind me, Satan.”

This mix of paraphrasing and direct quotes might help younger children understand the message more easily, though it may distract or confuse older viewers more familiar with Scripture.

Scope of Gospel stories

The film ambitiously covers a large portion of salvation history. It begins with the Nativity and Jesus’ presentation in the temple, then transitions into scenes from his public ministry. These include the healing of the blind man, the casting out of demons into a herd of pigs, and his temptation in the desert.

The film concludes with the crucifixion and resurrection, placing strong emphasis on the gift of salvation offered through Jesus’ sacrifice and received through Baptism. While the film briefly touches on the Fall from Genesis and humanity’s need for a savior, it largely skips over the Old Testament prophecies.

This results in a simplified storyline that may lack theological depth but is more digestible for younger audiences.

A wholesome viewing experience

In typical Angel Studios fashion, the content remains squeaky clean, appropriate, and wholesome. The simplified theology and modernized language make it an accessible option for young children, particularly those aged 5 to 10.

While the film doesn’t dive deep into the richness or mystery of the Catholic faith, it succeeds in introducing key Gospel themes in a way that is both engaging and appropriate for a family audience.