The King of Kings Early Review

Release Date: April 11, 2025
Rating: PG
Runtime: Approx. 90 minutes
Studio: Angel Studios
Directed by: Seong-Ho “Jay” Jang
Written by: Seong-Ho “Jay” Jang, Rob Edwards

A Story Told Through the Eyes of a Father and Son

When my family and I sat down to watch The King of Kings: A Story Told by Charles Dickens, I didn’t expect it to spark one of the deepest conversations I’ve ever had with my children. But that’s exactly what happened — starting with a simple question from my son during the film’s climax:

“What was that?” he asked, when the veil in the Temple tore from top to bottom.

That moment opened the door to a conversation about history, faith, and why this story still matters.

What’s the Movie About?

Here’s the official synopsis:

A father tells his son the greatest story ever told, and what begins as a bedtime tale becomes a life-changing journey. Through vivid imagination, the boy walks alongside Jesus, witnessing His miracles, facing His trials, and understanding His ultimate sacrifice. The King of Kings invites us to rediscover the enduring power of hope, love, and redemption through the eyes of a child.

The movie is based on an actual book Charles Dickens wrote for his children about the life of Jesus. The film’s framing device shows Dickens telling the story to his troublemaking son, Walter. What starts as a bedtime story becomes something far more personal and meaningful.

A Different Kind of Children’s Movie

I’ll be honest — I was nervous about how my kids would respond. In an age where most children’s content feels like a sugar rush of flashing lights and noise, The King of Kings is slower, quieter, and more narration-driven. It reminded me of the animated films of my own childhood, and I worried whether that would hold their attention.

It did. Completely.

Despite the lack of gimmicks or modern animation tricks, my boys were glued to the screen. The pacing, the narration, and the heart of the story kept them watching — and thinking.

Quality That Stands Out

The voice cast alone shows the level of care that went into this movie:
Kenneth Branagh, Oscar Isaac, Uma Thurman, Pierce Brosnan, Sir Ben Kingsley, Mark Hamill, Forest Whitaker, James Arnold Taylor, and others.

Behind the scenes, the movie was directed and produced by Seong-Ho “Jay” Jang, a respected Korean filmmaker known for his visual effects work. It was co-written by Rob Edwards, whose resume includes The Princess and the Frog, Frozen, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (and dozens of other projects we all know and love).

In other words: this is not a throwaway faith-based film. This is a high-quality production with strong writing, acting, and emotional weight.

A Faithful Retelling for Families

The movie doesn’t shy away from the intensity of Jesus’ story. It’s rated PG for a few heavier scenes, but nothing feels excessive or inappropriate for children. The filmmakers walked a fine line between telling the truth of the story and keeping it accessible for young audiences.

What struck me most wasn’t just the story of Jesus — it was how the movie portrayed Charles Dickens telling the story to his son. As a father, I felt that. The act of passing on something so important, not just for your children but for yourself.

The Emotional Impact

By the time we reached the climax, I was fighting back tears. Watching the story unfold, I kept thinking: That is my Savior. It took me back to being a teenager, kneeling in my driveway, asking Jesus to come into my heart. I’m not trying to oversell this, I promise. I know it sounds almost silly to have such a reaction to a movie made for children… but is it? Pixar has been making us ugly cry for decades now, but the difference is, those stories are made up. This is the true story of the King of kings who took on the full weight of my sin, and died in my place.

And when the credits rolled, the conversation with my boys continued. I explained to them why the tearing of the veil mattered. We talked about the long history of God’s people, and why Jesus’ sacrifice changed everything. It wasn’t just a history lesson — it was a reminder of a love so powerful that God gave His only Son so that we could be reunited with Him.

I cried again as I explained it to them. As a man who has been a Christian for the majority of my life, I admit that I am usually exhausted, jaded, and numb from bad news and constant noise. But in this moment, I was able to let all of that go and share that childlike wonder of the story of Jesus again, with my children.

Final Thoughts

The King of Kings isn’t just another retelling of the Jesus story. It’s a beautifully made, deeply emotional experience — not just for kids, but for parents too. It’s the kind of film that reminds you why these stories matter, and why we tell them over and over again.

We are living in a new era of faith-based media, one where quality matters because it opens doors to people who might never step into a church. Movies like this are how we plant seeds.

Whether you’re a parent, a believer, or just someone looking for a well-crafted, heartfelt film — this one is worth your time.

The King of Kings hits theaters April 11th and will run through the Easter season. Don’t miss it.

All images provided by Angel Studios.