A unique take on the story of Christ combines animation, literature, and faith in unexpected ways.
A new animated film is making waves in the faith-based entertainment space—and not just for its subject matter. “The King of Kings”, distributed by Angel Studios and directed by Korean visual effects pioneer Jang Seong-ho, offers a retelling of the life of Jesus Christ—through the eyes of Charles Dickens.
Yes, that Charles Dickens.
This creatively bold film draws inspiration from a little-known work by Dickens titled The Life of Our Lord, a private manuscript he wrote for his children and insisted not be published until after their deaths. Originally read aloud within the Dickens household during Easter, the text presents a deeply Victorian Jesus: kind, moral, gentle—less divine mystery, more upright role model. The book’s tone is intimate, accessible, and deeply earnest, designed to teach young children about compassion and grace in everyday life.
From Scrooge to the Savior
In the film’s opening sequence, we find Ebenezer Scrooge (yes, from A Christmas Carol) wandering toward his gravestone—only to be revealed as part of a vivid imagination inside Dickens’s mind. This meta-literary framing device, voiced by Kenneth Branagh, sets the tone: this isn’t your typical Bible film. As Dickens narrates to his child and a house cat, the story of Jesus unfolds, blending Victorian morality, animation, and spiritual exploration.
The approach is clearly designed to be accessible to all audiences—those familiar with the Bible and those simply curious. While it doesn't dive into theological detail, The King of Kings leans heavily into the concept of faith—faith in God, yes, but also the broader, perhaps more universal idea of trusting in something greater than oneself. At times, it flirts with a language reminiscent of self-help or “manifestation” movements, making it open to broader interpretation.
A Visually Rich Experience
As expected from a director like Jang Seong-ho—renowned for elevating visual effects in Korean cinema—the animation is stunning. Warm tones, painterly skies, and expressive characters give the film a timeless look. The use of light and shadow echoes classic Renaissance depictions of biblical stories, while the character design remains approachable for younger viewers.
Angel Studios Strikes Again
Angel Studios, known for its massive hit The Chosen, continues to carve out its place as the go-to distributor for thoughtful, high-production-value Christian entertainment. The King of Kings is less traditional than The Chosen but just as ambitious, aiming to connect spiritual themes with artistic creativity.
Not Your Sunday School Jesus
While some may find the film’s loose theology too interpretive, others will appreciate its fresh take. By filtering the life of Jesus through Dickens’s moral lens and a vivid animated world, The King of Kings manages to offer a surprisingly heartfelt, occasionally whimsical, and ultimately reverent look at one of the most told stories of all time.
It’s unlikely anyone asked for Charles Dickens narrates the life of Christ to a cat, but somehow, it works. And for families looking for Easter-season viewing that blends art, faith, and imagination, The King of Kings might just be the unexpected gift of the season.
