THE FORGE Wants to Connect a Disconnected Generation
By Movieguide® Contributor
While on the red carpet premiere of THE FORGE, the cast and crew explained the message they hope audiences will take away from the story.
“We’re so technologically connected and relationally disconnected, so we need more people taking to time to look us in the eye, especially young people, and say, ‘I love you. I care about you. I will walk with you through your hardship. I will walk with you through what you believe and why and how to defend it.’” Alex Kendrick told Movieguide®. “And then the next generation will do it to the next generation, and so it’s exactly what Jesus did. He poured into the 12 disciples, then they poured into other people as well.”
While this movie will give hope to the young people who feel lost and discouraged by today’s world, it is more so meant for the people a little bit further down the road, to encourage them to step up and help shepherd the upcoming generation.
“I think right now we’ve got a generation that is very discouraged. They’re anxious, they’re depressed, they’re relationally disconnected, they’re lonely, you know, 10,000 followers on social media, but nobody knows them at a close level…” said Stephen Kendrick. “They need someone to pour into them who’s been down that road, you know, especially in their walk with God.
“So this call to discipleship is what Jesus modeled for us and it is what is needed,” he continued. “The church can step into this relational void. We can begin to engage the next generation in relationships just like Joshua Moore does with Isaiah in THE FORGE. The fact that this movie is going to model it from beginning to end, I think for a lot of people, the light bulb’s going to go on for them and they’re going to get it. They’re going to walk out of the theater saying I need to get more serious about my walk with God and I need to start praying about who I’m going to invest in.”
THE FORGE follows Isaiah Wright. “After graduating from high school without any plans for the future, Isaiah receives a push to start making better life decisions,” a synopsis reads.
The cast also shared their excitement to see how the Lord is going to use the movie and are eagerly awaiting to hear the testimonies that come back to them about the impact it has had on the lives of its audience.
“My hope and my prayer is that God will actually fulfill the Great Commission in the sense of calling the entire world back to Himself, dealing with the fact that He wants the very last air of salvation to some in so that Jesus Christ can return and redeem and restore everything,” said Cameron Arnett.
THE FORGE is in theaters now.
Part 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.
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Movieguide® previously reported:
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.