While other films about Jesus of Nazareth opted to focus on his struggles as a man of faith, Gibson focuses on the intensity of what he was forced to endure. While Gibson touches on something profoundly nihilistic, it’s ultimately a vapid experience.

| Original Score: 4/10 | Apr 20, 2025

While the scenes we are witnessing are graphic and difficult to watch, there’s no denying the immersive experience that Passion brought to the screen. It’s as valid and visceral as any biblical story that’s ever been captured on film.

| Jun 27, 2023

It is perhaps testament to the material that the film can be read both as a literal illustration of the story of Christ’s suffering at the hands of the Romans... an anti-authoritarian tract that questions the very assumptions of guilt and blame...

| May 6, 2023

Gibson has made a strange experimental film that he offers as an act of faith, but which seems more like an act of directorial hubris.

| Original Score: D | Sep 19, 2022

Mel Gibsons The Passion Of The Christ is a powerful piece of cinema. Its a breathtaking, bravura biblical epic which resonates on multiple levels. The filmmaker set out to tell a story and he delivered a film which while divisive is a masterpiece.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Apr 15, 2022

While Pasolini pulls his camera away from the crunching and stabbing of thorns, whips, and nails, Gibson showcases the moment of impact. That may make him the closer Caravaggio cohort...

| Aug 11, 2021

Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ is a deeply repugnant film, but not an insignificant one. ... it does provide insight into a certain contemporary American mentality and mood.

| Feb 15, 2021

And the Passion itself engages with both the timeless, nondenominational human capacity for sadistic cruelty and faith in the face of inconceivable obstacles. It reaches beyond the parameters of Gibson's personal Jesus.

| Jan 29, 2020

Gibson delivers a film that is practically indescribable in its power and emotion.

| Nov 16, 2019

Mel Gibson's passion has given us a once in a lifetime movie experience.

| Nov 14, 2019

Gibson has basically taken the greatest story ever told and turned it into a snuff film. It's Kill Bill for the churchgoing crowd.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Apr 21, 2019

If you relish the sight of a healthy male body being systematically demolished, beyond the farthest reach of plausible endurance, The Passion of the Christ is your movie.

| Aug 20, 2018

For millions of people, Mel Gibson shows them their Jesus and their salvation.

| Feb 2, 2018

If I believed in life eternal with access to a heavenly multiplex I still wouldn't advise you to see this film, but, as things stand, if thou goest anywhere this week, be it to see an honest piece of graven imagery, not this religiose rubbish.

| Jan 9, 2018

Moving. Powerful. Epic. Beautiful.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Jan 17, 2016

Extremely violent, and powerful; for mature teens.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 28, 2010

Gibson's passion is all over this film...but his resorting to mawkish, superficial tactics blows the tone off-course from time to time.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 24, 2010

The film's lack of discretion robs the viewer of his or own conception of Christ's crucifixion. It is an exploitative disservice to "the greatest story ever told," that reduces that illustrious narrative to an extended torture episode.

| Original Score: F | Aug 26, 2009

It's a shame there isn't a good movie deep down in this excuse for gore and sadism.

| Apr 29, 2009

It should have been called The Passionator.

| May 17, 2008