Year: 2004
Director: Mel Gibson
Starring: Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern
Extremely hard to review this one.
Can I be objective?
As a Catholic, I feel like I have to like The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson. I rewatch it every year on Good Friday or Holy Saturday—but this year, something struck me.
There is an error.
Mary Magdalene (played by Monica Bellucci) is portrayed as the adulterous woman.
In Gospel of John 8:1–11, we read:
“All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.
When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left with the woman.
“Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, Lord,” she said.
“Neither do I. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”
There is no clear biblical evidence that Mary Magdalene—who was freed from seven demons—was the same woman caught in adultery. This connection is often made because of a sermon by Pope Gregory I from 591, where he merged multiple women from the Gospels into one figure.
For many, that interpretation still stands today.
I was surprised to see this choice in a production of such a high level, and I’m not sure why it was made. Of course, we cannot prove that she wasn’t the adulterous woman—but adding details not clearly grounded in Scripture (as many productions do) is not always the best approach.
Aside from that, the film shows an extraordinary attention to detail. The use of Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin reflects the historical context of each character. We also see the Passion of Christ portrayed in a way never done before—its brutality draws tears from almost everyone who watches it. And I believe that matters, because it reveals the truth of what happened.
Mel Gibson also drew inspiration from The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, based on the visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich, a stigmatist and Marian visionary who was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2004.
I have to warn you—if you haven’t seen this film (which I doubt), it is brutal. Even in today’s cinema, where violence is common, this is different. Because we know who is suffering: someone completely innocent. Someone who chose this for our salvation—God Himself made man, giving His life for us.
And that makes it very hard to watch.
Outside of the religious aspect, the cinematography, acting, and storytelling are at the highest level—which we can expect from Mel Gibson and Jim Caviezel, even with a relatively modest $30 million budget. Watching it again in 2026, compared to when I first saw it in 2004, it doesn’t feel outdated or low-budget at all.
In many ways, this film changed the landscape and set a standard for Catholic filmmakers—showing how these stories can be told with excellence.
In my personal opinion, it is the greatest Catholic film made to date.
Review
Sexuality & Nudity: 0/10
Violence: 8/10 – Scourging of Jesus, Passion of Christ
Profanity: 0/10
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking: 0/10
Frightening & Intense Scenes: 8/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Acting: 8/10
Storytelling: 9/10
Catholic Doctrine: Almost perfect, one error of associating Mary Magdalene with adulterous woman.
Final rank: A+
