Actor Ezra Miller Compares Superhero Character to Jesus Amid Multiple Allegations
By Movieguide® Staff
Actor Ezra Miller recently made headlines after accusations of grooming, violence, and other odd and illegal behavior.
Now, a recent Vanity Fair expose unpacked Miller’s cult-like behavior, noting that the actor often compared himself to the devil and other times to Jesus.
Miller, who is referred to by his preferred pronouns (they/them) in the expose, first made the public news after choking two strangers in Iceland.
“[Miller would] talk about the metaverse and the medicine and how they’re the Messiah and what [their] work is here. They say their spiritual practice is to be among the people — which means party. So, when in Iceland, [they were] out nonstop. [Miller’s] favorite were raves, where [they’d] go on benders for two or three days at a time.”
Yahoo Entertainment reported: “Multiple sources claimed to the magazine that Miller was verbally and emotionally abusive while referring to themself as both Jesus and the devil. According to one insider, the actor invoked the superhero they play ‘claiming that the Flash is the one who brings the multiverses together just like Jesus.’”
Last month, after Miller’s most recent arrest, the actor announced that he started “ongoing treatment” for “complex mental health issues.”
Despite the controversy surrounding the star, Warner Bros. plans to move forward with Miller’s standalone DC movie, THE FLASH.
While there seem to be many testimonies of Miller’s ego, drug use, and violence, perhaps the most telling of the actor’s true state is his comparison to Jesus.
Without the foundation of God’s word, fame and fortune can lead to detrimental pride that puts us before God.
However, Miller’s striking hypocrisy, while extreme, is not uncommon among sinful humans.
That is why in the Old Testament, God commands his people not to create false gods.
Isaiah 42:8 reads: “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.”
In the digital age, these idols have become more subtle.
Here are some keys to teaching media wisdom through the lens of a biblical foundation:
Here are some practical ways to teach your child how to discern media messages:
Key 1: Understand the influence of the media on your children. In the wake of the Columbine High School massacre, CBS President Leslie Moonves put it quite bluntly: “Anyone who thinks the media has nothing to do with this is an idiot.” The major medical associations have concluded that there is absolutely no doubt that those who are heavy viewers of violence demonstrate increased acceptance of aggressive attitudes and aggressive behavior. Of course, media is only one part of the problem – a problem that could be summed up with the sage biblical injunction, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1 Cor. 15:33). As the results of thousands of studies on youth violence prove, watching media violence causes violence among children. Bad company corrupts good character – whether that bad company is gangs, peer pressure or violent movies, video games and television programs.
Key 2: Ascertain your children’s susceptibility at each stage of cognitive development. Not only do children see the media differently at each stage of development, but also different children are susceptible to different stimuli. As the research of the National Institute of Mental Health revealed many years ago, some children want to copy media violence, some are susceptible to other media influences, some become afraid, and many become desensitized. Just as an alcoholic would be inordinately tempted by a beer commercial, so certain types of media may tempt or influence your child at his or her specific stage of development.
Key 3: Teach your children how the media communicates its message. Just as children spend the first 14 years of their lives learning grammar with respect to the written word, they also need to be taught the grammar of twenty-first-century mass media so that they can think critically about the messages being programmed for them.
Key 4: Help your children know the fundamentals of the Christian faith. Children need to be taught the fundamentals of the Christian faith so that they can apply their beliefs and moral values to the culture and to the mass media of entertainment. Of course, parents typically have an easier time than teachers with this Key because they can freely discuss their personal beliefs. Yet, even so, it is interesting to note that cultural and media literacy and values education are two of the fastest-growing areas in the academic community – a trend most likely due to the fact that educators are beginning to realize that something is amiss.
Key 5: Help your children learn how to ask the right questions. When children know the right questions to ask, they can arrive at the right answers to the problems presented by the mass media of entertainment. For instance, if the hero in the movie your child is watching wins by murdering and mutilating his victims, will your children be able to question this hero’s behavior? No matter how likable that character may be.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
