“Light of the World” is a 2025 American animated Christian drama film directed by Tom Bancroft and John J. Schafer. The film tells the story of Jesus’ life through the perspective of John the Apostle. I really wanted to like this movie because I have a deep appreciation for quality animation and meaningful stories.
However, I must admit that this film posed a challenge for me in terms of how to review it while highlighting its positive aspects.
Typically, when discussing animation, I focus on various elements such as the story, music, voice acting, and, of course, the animation quality itself. In this case, I need to remember that it’s a story about Jesus. However, there were several aspects I personally found lacking.
First, let’s talk about the animation. While I understand the financial constraints of making movies, I also recognize the artistic responsibility that filmmakers have when producing a marketed “Christian film.” In the past, many talented creators emerged from Christian backgrounds, but in this film, the animation quality seemed to fall short and, in many instances, was not as good as that found in various television or streaming network animated programs.
Next, let’s examine the story. The filmmakers took certain liberties in their portrayal of Jesus’ life. I found it hard to accept that the Apostle John appeared to be around nine years old in the film, while the other apostles looked to be in their twenties or thirties. Additionally, the narrative was presented out of order at times, which I could have overlooked due to continuity issues, but omitting important events in Jesus’ life made the storytelling even more frustrating. Especially since the events depicted in the film occur over a few weeks or months rather than years, this was a significant concern for me.
Another major issue I encountered was the film’s target audience. Most adults with a basic understanding of theology will likely have unanswered questions after watching. For younger viewers who may appreciate simple animation, some theological concepts and language could be confusing, and the lack of action or engaging characters may fail to hold their attention throughout the film.
On a positive note, it’s possible that the movie might spark enough interest in some viewers to encourage further exploration. I recommend picking up a Bible in a translation that is easy to read and starting with the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament to gain a better understanding of the story of Jesus. The film also featured the “sinner’s prayer” three times, which may lead to appropriate follow-up for those who make decisions based on it.
I would love to give this film a high score, but there are better animated Bible stories available for streaming that I would prefer to watch. For that reason, I must give it a disappointing score of 4 out of 10.
