Zero AD Trailer, Fun Facts & Review
Zero AD Synopsis:
King Herod the Great (Jim Caviezel), a ruthless ruler, learns of a prophecy foretelling a child who will one day challenge his authority. Driven by fear and a desperate need to maintain his power, he orders the brutal execution of all male infants in Bethlehem. A young Virgin Mary (Deva Cassel) and Joseph (Jamie Ward) race against time to protect their newborn son, Jesus, from Herod's deadly decree.
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Release Date: In theaters December 19th, 2025
Zero AD Fun Facts:
A "Spiritual Thriller":
Zero AD, directed by Alejandro Monteverde, who is well known for directing the movie "Sound of Freedom," is promoted as a "spiritual thriller." This is a shift from standard biblical dramas to emphasize tension and suspense as Mary and Joseph attempt to escape King Herod's soldiers.
Third Collaboration:
This movie is the third collaboration between director Alejandro Monteverde and Angel Studios; the first two movies were "Sound of Freedom" (2023), which was a massive success, and "Cabrini" (2024), which was a box-office bomb.
A New Title for an Old Story:
The movie was originally titled "Bethlehem," and later it was retitled "Zero A.D."
The Passion of the Christ Connection:
Jim Caviezel, known for his famous role as Jesus in Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" (2004), makes a comeback to the biblical film genre as King Herod the Great. This decision for casting is significant because of his earlier iconic performance.
From Blockbuster Hits to Biblical Epics:
The lineup includes many well-known actors from other Blockbuster hits, such as Sam Worthington (Avatar), Ben Mendelsohn (The Dark Knight Rises), and Gael García Bernal (Old).
Filmed in a Historic Location:
The main filming for the movie was shot in Morocco during November 2024. This North African country is a favored site for filming historical and biblical stories because of its breathtaking scenery and well-maintained historical architecture.
Zero AD Review:
Following the massive success of Sound of Freedom, director Alejandro Monteverde returns with his most ambitious project to date: Zero AD, released just in time for the Christmas holiday. Monteverde presents a "spiritual thriller" that changes how we see the story of Jesus' birth. Instead of a calm, peaceful birth, the story centers on a thrilling fight for survival. The movie focuses on the Massacre of the Innocents, featuring Deva Cassel as a young and determined Mary escaping the deadly grip of King Herod, played by Jim Caviezel, with frightening and serious intensity.
Unlike most movies that focus on the divine nature of the story, Monteverde emphasizes the fear and danger during that period of time. We witness a crumbling empire ruled by a fearful King Herod (Jim Caviezel) and his ruthless son Antipater (Sam Worthington), who see the supposed "New King" not as a savior but as a serious threat to their power. The "prophetic war" mentioned in the trailers becomes evident here, as the holy family must navigate through a world filled with people and soldiers they cannot trust.
Deva Cassel shines in her role as Mary. She holds the emotional heart of the movie with a performance that is subtle but powerfully strong. Ben Mendelsohn and Sam Worthington add important depth to the Roman political system, giving a sense of realism and strength instead of a superficial feel. Sam Worthington gives a great performance as Herod’s son, Antipater. He is torn between staying loyal to his father and his conscience, which makes this movie much more of a political drama than most faith-based films.
The movie excels in creating a great visual experience. The cinematographer, Gorka Gómez Andreu, cleverly takes advantage of the rough Moroccan landscapes to create a setting that feels both ancient and current. The use of natural light and shadows matches the main idea of the story: the struggle between overwhelming darkness and a small glimmer of hope.
Sometimes, the movie tries too hard to be "epic," making the middle part feel a bit too long. It spends so much time on political arguments that it loses track of Mary and Joseph’s main journey. Despite being released just in time for the Christmas holiday, Zero AD is a serious and dark movie. While this makes the story feel real, it might be too intense for families with children looking for a cheerful holiday film.
Zero AD stands out as a unique kind of movie that is both profoundly respectful toward religion and an engaging thriller. It doesn’t have the clean and polished vibe of many religious films but instead offers a raw and intense glimpse into the bravery it takes to protect hope in a world filled with darkness. This movie is a strong closing release for the year that truly deserves to be experienced on the biggest screen possible.