THE FORGE Promises to ‘Lift Up the Name of Jesus.’ Here’s Why.
By Movieguide® Contributor
As the Kendrick brothers’ newest movie, THE FORGE, hits theaters nationwide, they shared the lesson and encouragement that they hope audiences will receive from the story.
“We love the testimonies already coming in,” said Alex Kendrick. “There’s buyouts, it’s well over 100 buyouts already, churches and ministries doing that, and that’s been exciting. Theaters are going to have to add showtimes, which that’s a great problem. Thank you for those going to see THE FORGE.”
“So many movies take the Lord’s name in vain as a part of their movie — the name above every other name — they’re dishonoring. THE FORGE is going to lift up the name of Jesus and honor Him, point people to Him, draw us to discipleship to follow Him,” he continued. “So we hope you are blessed and challenged as well as entertained.”
All throughout the production of this movie, the pair has been pushing discipleship and encouraging people to engage in the practice. They practiced it on set and hope its prevalence behind the scenes will bleed into what audiences receive.
“God is cooking up something in the kitchen. The numbers we’re hearing, the responses on social media, the responses from the screenings that have already been happening,” Stephen Kendrick said. “It’s almost like we’re laying, you know, the wood on the altar and praying, ‘God, send down the fire from heaven.’ And we’re looking up and seeing the clouds forming, and so we’re like, ‘Lord, please do more than we can ask or imagine.'”
The movie follows the story of a young man a year out of high school who is lost in life and without a plan. His mom forces him to get a job and while working there, his boss pushes him to do something with his life rather than allow it to be wasted. While mentoring him, he also leads him to the Lord and helps him find a foundation in Christ. A portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:
The first act of THE FORGE is a bit slow with too much static dialogue. However, once the jeopardy starts, it becomes more exciting and finishes with a powerful, entertaining, redemptive ending. THE FORGE has a strong Christian, biblical worldview. It does a beautiful job displaying the deep need for discipleship in the Church. It spurs Christian believers to disciple and mentor the next generation. The movie also shows how prayer changes hearts and has a clear presentation of the Gospel. THE FORGE will inspire the hearts of Christians to continue being fully committed to Christ.
THE FORGE is in theaters now.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Stephen Kendrick is sharing his hopes for what audiences take away from his latest movie, THE FORGE.
“We have been passionate about discipleship for years,” he said in an interview with Movieguide®, sharing that he and his brother Alex have been working with kids since the ’90s.
“It’s amazing to see the fruitfulness of the investment that happened decades ago in their lives,” Stephen said of the young people they’ve worked with over the years.
Speaking about what he hopes viewers take away from THE FORGE, he said, “We want people to have an encounter with the Lord when they’re holding popcorn in their lap and sitting in the theater…but then, they’re hearing the word of God. They’re watching something that has been dedicated to the Lord from the beginning and hopefully will be a tool of God’s spirit in their hearts.”
Stephen also spoke about specific groups, from non-believers — “We’ve had many people from around the world come to Christ from the films” — to their “core audience” of believers.
