Light of the World (2025) [Movie Review]: A Hopeful Leap for Faith-Based Animation

Light of the World is a sincere, hand-drawn 2D animated portrait of Jesus told largely through the eyes of a teenage John. Directed by Tom Bancroft and John J. Schafer and written by David M. Armstrong, Drew Barton Armstrong, and Jason Heaton, the film is an encouraging first step for faith-based studios aiming to do animation with artistic ambition and pastoral heart.

Story & Tone — A coming-of-faith through a young narrator

The plot follows young John as he encounters John the Baptist, meets Jesus, and gradually joins the band of disciples. The movie balances kid-friendly storytelling with more mature emotional beats, sometimes landing as earnest family entertainment and at other moments slipping into didactic sermonizing. When it leans into character and relationship, the narrative becomes genuinely moving.

Animation & Direction — Booklike beauty with occasional unevenness

Visually, the film is often its strongest asset. The hand-drawn style gives scenes a storybook quality—small gestures (a strand of hair falling, the swell of waves) are handled with real craft. At times the character design skews overly stylized for younger viewers, creating a mild tonal mismatch. Still, creative sequences and textured backgrounds reveal a team capable of evocative visual storytelling.

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Voice Cast & Characters — Solid voices that humanize biblical figures

Ian Hanlin, Benjamin Jacobson, Michael Benyaer and the rest of the cast deliver warm, clearly defined performances. John’s arc—initially a plain protagonist—gains depth as his relationships with Jesus and other figures develop. The emotional payoff, particularly in moments of grief and wonder, benefits from performances that treat the material with respect rather than caricature.

Themes & Family Appeal — Clear theology wrapped in accessible moments

The film unabashedly aims to teach the Gospel to children and families. Some expository devices feel clunky (a few overly explicit “accept Jesus” moments), but many scenes present theology through lived-in stories and household dialogue, which makes the message feel like natural spiritual formation rather than a lecture. The film also highlights maternal wisdom and familial love as central spiritual influences.

Verdict — Promising milestone with room to grow

Light of the World is not flawless, but its strengths outweigh its flaws. It’s an often-beautiful, emotionally honest entry in an emerging subgenre—faith-based animation for families—that deserves attention. Creators and ministries seeking to produce spiritually rich animated work will find much to build on here. For audiences seeking a touching, family-focused retelling of Jesus’ story, the movie is both hopeful and rewarding.

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Rating: 3.5 / 5 — A meaningful yet uneven step forward that bodes well for the future of Christian animated films.