Movie Reviews

The Forge Movie Review (with Spoilers)

Published

1 year ago

January 9, 2025

This image depicts the discipleship and mentorship prevalent throughout the movie The Forge. Digitalskillet captured this image on August 31, 2018. This image was downloaded from iStock.com on January 7, 2025.

If you are looking for a good movie to watch during these cold winter days, I suggest The Forge.

Before providing an explanation for my recommendation I must warn that this review does contain spoilers. Therefore, do not read the rest of this article if you intend to watch the film.

The Forge

A Brief Summary

Under the direction of Alex Kendrick, The Forge is a faith-based movie emphasizing the importance of discipleship. Actors such as Priscilla Shirer, Cameron Arnett, and Aspen Kennedy bring this theme to life with a passion for God that exudes beyond a typical acting role.

Their passion manifests through the story of Isaiah Wright, a young adult struggling to find direction in life. He focuses on playing video games, hanging out with friends and not handling his responsibilities.

His mother scolds him for his lackadaisical habits but a transformation does not occur until he meets Joshua Moore. Joshua Moore, the owner of Moore Fitness gym, offers Isaiah a job.

Little does Isaiah know, this opportunity will not only change his financial status but help him draw closer to God. God uses Joshua Moore as a mentor who gives Isaiah professional and personal advice to help him mature.

Over a short period of time, Isaiah decides to stop resisting God and accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. After hearing the news, Mr. Moore disciples Isaiah and invites him into fellowship with other Christian men.

This maturation helps Isaiah apologize for past mistakes, forgive his father and become a courageous young professional.

The Forge concludes with Mr. Moore issuing a challenge to his forge (and viewers) to make disciples for Jesus Christ.

Relatable to the African American Community

Brokenness & Fatherlessness

Along with a compelling message to go make disciples for Christ, The Forge also highlights themes relatable to the African American Community.

One theme was Isaiah’s brokenness due to the absence of his father. This may seem like a negative depiction of black families because some media platforms associate fatherlessness with African Americans.

However, I see this as a positive since it confronts the realities that many young adults of various ethnic backgrounds face.

Pain Drawing People Closer to God

Another theme Christians in the Black community can relate too is painful situations drawing them closer to God. For Isaiah, pain occurs through fatherlessness and the inability to find direction for his life.

But after surrendering his life to God, Isaiah transforms into a new creation.

For Mr. Moore, tragedy happens through a car accident resulting in his son’s death. Mr. Moore is so distraught, his marriage almost ends. Thankfully, yielding his anger to God helps him become a dynamic mentor for other men.

Ownership & Excellence in Business

One way Mr. Moore serves as a dynamic mentor is by discipling his employee Joshua. Mr. Moore has the freedom to share his faith with Joshua since he owns Moore Fitness Gym.

This same freedom appears as Joshua’s mom prays with her employees and friends at Cynthia’s (her hair salon).

In addition to a gym and hair salon, the film features a black owned coffee shop.

Seeing positive representations of African Americans in business through this film is encouraging for two reasons.

First, this positive representation shows all Christian’s how we can use employment to glorify God regardless of our job title. Second, this film shows there is a strong sense of work ethic, unity, teamwork and business savvy in black families.

Hopefully, this inspires more Christians to start black owned family businesses that will make a lasting impact in their communities.

The Impact of Discipleship

One way to make a lasting impact in any community is by investing in people. Mr. Moore this by establishing the forge and discipling countless men who then disciple others.

Through these personal investments, men not only grow spiritually, but in every aspect of their lives. They also gain a health support system that allows them to function in community the way God intends.

Imagine what our churches, families and society will look like if more men accept the responsibility of discipleship.

3 Things You Might Have Overlooked

The Power of Prayer

The displays of discipleship prevalent in this film could not be possible without prayer. Isaiah’s mom asks her forge to pray for him on a few occasions.

Prayer is also evident during Isaiah’s conversion experience as well as Mr. and Mrs. Moore’s daily affairs. These examples prove we can not draw closer to God or help others in their relationship with the Lord without prayer.

This is why Paul uses scriptures like 1 Timothy 2:8 to illustrate the importance of prayer.

An Excellent Use of Scripture

Along with illustrating the importance of prayer, The Forge does an excellent job of using scripture in its proper context. This is seen as Mr. Moore quotes or references the following scriptures to make key points

Matthew 28:19.
Luke 9:23.
Galatians 5:13-14.

This factor stands out to me because I have seen other films use scripture and biblical principles out of context.

Being contextually accurate with scripture is essential because someone who does not fully understand a scripture may be susceptible to false teachings. God will hold filmmakers who intentionally misuse scripture accountable for making others stumble.

A Reminder About Sin

Thankfully, instead of making me stumble, The Forge offers a helpful reminder about sin. Sin is not just acts like using drugs, embezzling money, or committing adultery which are typical in many films.

Instead, The Forge reminds viewers that holding grudges, selfish ambitions, and not consulting God in every decision are also sins. I appreciate this reminder because it’s easy for believers to think they are in right standing with God if they do not commit sins others find unjustifiable.

However, God also takes offense when we act in ways that suggest he is not the Lord of our lives. We must strive to live by Luke 9:23 daily in order to be sincere disciples for Christ.

How do you feel about The Forge? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Your comments and feedback are greatly appreciated!

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Movie Reviews

Maxime Giroux – ‘In Cold Light’ movie review

Published

7 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Maxime Giroux – ‘In Cold Light’ movie review

(Credits: Far Out / Elevation Pictures)

Wed 4 March 2026 9:30, UK

Maxime Giroux – ‘In Cold Light’

The action is relentless in the complex thriller In Cold Light, a tense combination of crime and fugitive tale and family drama. It is the third feature and first English language film by Maxime Giroux, best known for a very different kind of film, the critically acclaimed 2014 drama Felix & Meira.

The tension and high energy of In Cold Light almost overwhelm the film, but are relieved, barely, by moments of character development and introspection that keep the audience pulling for the restrained and outwardly cold main character.

Speaking at the film’s Canadian premiere, director Giroux admitted he found creating an action film a challenge. Part of his approach was using very minimal dialogue, especially for the central character, letting the action speak for itself, and allowing silence to intensify suspense. Giroux has said he likes the lack of dialogue and speaks highly of the importance of silence in cinema; he prefers using “physical aspects of communication” in his films.

Young Ava Bly (Maika Monroe) is a competent and businesslike drug dealer, working in partnership with her brother Tom (Jesse Irving) and a small team. As the film begins, Ava has just been released from a brief prison sentence. She is hoping to return to her former position, but her brother’s associates consider her a risk due to her recent incarceration. While she works to re-establish herself, a shocking encounter with a corrupt police officer sends Ava’s life into chaos and forces her to go on the run.

Ava’s fugitive experience introduces a new character, to whom Ava turns for help: her father, Will Bly, played by Troy Kotsur, known for his excellent performance in CODA. Their first interaction is handled in a fascinating way, as Will is deaf and the two communicate through sign language. This, of course, provides another form of the silent interaction the director prefers; he explained that much of the father-daughter interaction was rewritten with the actor in mind. Their conflict is nicely expressed through a scene in which their initial conversation is intermittently cut off by a faulty light which goes out periodically, making communication through sign momentarily impossible, nicely expressing the rift between father and daughter.

As Ava continues to evade danger, her escape becomes complicated by new information, placing her in a painful dilemma. We gradually learn more about Ava, her background, and her character through occasional flashbacks and glimpses of her dreams. The plot becomes more complex and more poignant, and gains features of a mystery as well as an action tale, as she is pressed to choose from among equally unacceptable alternatives.

The climax of her efforts to protect both herself and those close to her comes to a head as she meets with the director of a rival drug gang. Veteran actress Helen Hunt is perfect in the minor but significant role of Claire, the rival drug lord, who plays odd mind games with Ava in an intriguing psychological fencing match. It’s an unusual scene, in which Ava’s personality is made clearer, and Claire’s understated dominance and casual speech do not quite conceal the threat she represents.

The frantic pace and emotional turmoil are enhanced by the camera work, which tends to focus tightly on Ava, and by a harsh, minimal musical score that sets the tone without distracting from the action. Giroux chose to shoot the film in Super 60; he describes digital as “too perfect” for the look he was going for, and since “Ava is rough,” the film portrays her better. The director describes the entire movie as “rough,” in fact, and deliberately chose a dark, washed-out look for much of the footage, occasionally using light and colour, in the form of fireworks, lightning, or a colourful carnival, to both relieve and emphasise the darkness.

The dynamic, intense story holds the attention in spite of the lengthy, sometimes repetitive chase scenes and subdued dialogue. Ava’s predicament, and the difficult decisions she is forced to make, are made surprisingly relatable, from the initial disaster that starts the action to the surprising flash-forward that concludes the film, on as high a note as the situation could allow. Fans of action movies will definitely enjoy this one.

Movie Reviews

Jeremy Schuetze’s ‘ANACORETA’ (2022) – Movie Review – PopHorror

Published

19 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Jeremy Schuetze’s ‘ANACORETA’ (2022) – Movie Review – PopHorror

PopHorror had the chance to check out Anacoreta (2022) ahead of its streaming release! Does this meta-horror flick provide interesting story telling or is it a confusing mess.

Let’s have a look…

Synopsis

A group of friends heads to a secluded woodland cabin for a weekend getaway, planning to film an experimental horror movie. As the shoot progresses, the project begins to fall apart—until a real and terrifying presence emerges from the darkness.

Anacoreta is directed by Jeremy Schuetze. It was written by Jeremy Schuetze and Matt Visser. The film stars Antonia Thomas (Bagman 2024), Jesse Stanley (Raf 2019), Jeremy Schuetze (Jennifer’s Body 2009), and Matt Visser (A Lot Like Christmas 2021)

My Thoughts

Antonia Thomas delivered an outstanding performance as the female lead in Anacoreta. It was remarkable to watch her convey such a wide range of emotions with authenticity and depth. I was continually impressed by her ability to switch seamlessly between different dialects. I absolutely loved her delivery of the dialogue of telling The Scorpion and the Frog fable.

Anacoreta employs a distinctive, meta-horror style of storytelling. The narrative follows a group of friends creating a “scripted reality” horror film, and as the plot unfolds, the boundary between their staged production and their actual lives becomes increasingly blurred. This was interesting, but at the same time frustrating as a viewer.

Check out Anacoreta on Prime Video and let us know your thoughts!

Movie Reviews

‘Hoppers’ review: Pixar’s best original movie in years

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

‘Hoppers’ review: Pixar’s best original movie in years

“So it’s like Avatar?” one character quips in Disney and Pixar’s “Hoppers,” bluntly translating the film’s high-concept premise for the sugar-fueled kids in the audience. And yes, the comparison is apt. The story follows a nature-obsessed teenage girl who manages to quite literally “hop” her consciousness into the body of a robotic beaver in order to spark an animal rebellion against a greedy mayor determined to bulldoze their forest for a freeway.

It’s a clever hook. The kind of big, elastic idea Pixar used to make look effortless. “Hoppers” does not reach the rarified air of “Up,” “Wall-E,” or “Inside Out,” but after a stretch of uneven originals like “Turning Red” and “Luca,” and outright misfires such as “Elemental” and “Elio,” this feels like a genuine course correction. The environmental messaging is clear without being preachy, the animals are irresistibly anthropomorphized, and the studio’s once-signature emotional sincerity is back in sturdy form.

Pixar can afford to gamble on originals when it has a guaranteed cash cow like this summer’s “Toy Story 5” waiting in the wings, but “Hoppers” earns its place in the catalogue. Director Daniel Chong crafts a warm, heartfelt film that occasionally strains under the weight of its own ambition, yet remains grounded by character and theme. Its meditation on conservation and animal displacement feels timely in a way that never tips into after-school-special territory.

We meet Mabel, voiced with bright conviction by Piper Curda, as a child liberating her classroom pets and returning them to the wild. Her moral compass is shaped by her grandmother, voiced by Karen Huie, who imparts wisdom about nature’s sanctity. True to both Pixar tradition and the broader Disney playbook, this beacon of guidance does not survive past the opening act. Loss, after all, is Pixar’s favorite inciting incident.

Years later, Mabel is still fighting the good fight, squaring off against the smarmy Mayor Jerry, voiced with slick menace by Jon Hamm. He plans to flatten the glade where Mabel and her grandmother once found solace. Mabel’s resistance feels noble but futile. The animals have already mysteriously vanished, the machinery is coming, and her last-ditch plan involves luring a beaver back to the abandoned forest in hopes of jumpstarting the ecosystem.

That’s when the film gleefully pivots into mad-scientist territory. At Beaverton University, Mabel discovers her professor, voiced by Kathy Najimy, has developed a device that can project human consciousness into synthetic animals. The process, dubbed “hopping,” allows Mabel to inhabit a robotic beaver and infiltrate the forest from within. It’s an inspired escalation that keeps the film buoyant even when the plotting grows predictable.

Her new posse includes King George, a lovably beaver voiced by Bobby Moynihan with distinct Bing Bong energy; a sharp-tongued bear voiced by Melissa Villaseñor; a regal bird king voiced by the late Isiah Whitlock Jr.; and a fish queen voiced by Ego Nwodim. As is often the case with Pixar, even in its lesser efforts, the world-building is meticulous. The animal hierarchy, complete with titles like “paw of the king,” is layered with jokes that play for kids while slyly winking at adults.

The plot ultimately follows a familiar template. Scrappy underdog rallies community. Corporate villain twirls metaphorical mustache. Emotional third-act sacrifice looms. At times, you can feel the machinery working a little too cleanly. Pixar, and Disney at large, has grown increasingly reliant on sequels and established IP, and “Hoppers” does not radically reinvent the wheel. In an animated landscape where films like “K-Pop: Demon Hunters,” “Across the Spider-Verse,” and “Goat” are pushing stylistic and narrative boundaries, being safe and sturdy may not always be enough.

And yet, there is something refreshing about a Pixar original that remembers how to tug at the heart without squeezing it dry. “Hoppers” is playful, peppered with cheeky needle drops, and builds to a sweet emotional catharsis that may or may not have left this critic a little misty-eyed. It feels earnest and engaged.

“Hoppers” may not be top-tier Pixar. But it is a welcome return to form, a reminder that the studio still knows how to marry big ideas with a bigger heart.

HOPPERS opens in theaters Friday, March 6th.