A Powerful Film About Discipleship: The Forge
The Kendrick Brothers have produced their latest film, The Forge, to be released in Australian theatres from 29 August. Here is my review.
The Forge is a convicting film. I was certainly convicted watching it.
I was generously gifted an advance viewing of the Kendrick Brothers’ latest film, The Forge. As I have mentioned previously, The Forge is set in the same world as the Brothers’ most successful film, War Room.
Characters like Miss Clara (Karen Abercrombie) and Elizabeth and Tony Jordan (played by Priscilla C. Shirer and T.C. Stallings) appear in The Forge, although they play comparatively minor roles.
The Message
The Forge focuses on the call to discipleship for Christians — the reality that we are not just called to be converts; we are called to be disciples of Jesus.
A real strength of the film is that it models how discipleship — or apprenticeship, as the likes of Dallas Willard or John Mark Comer would call it — is not an optional extra in the Christian life. It is what the whole Christian life is about.
We are called to follow Jesus in everything we do and be transformed into His image.
Dallas Willard calls discipleship the “Great Omission” from the Great Commission. Christians can tend to focus on the “conversion” aspects of the Gospel. Just preach the Good News of forgiveness for sins, and that’s it.
But the Scripture provides a far more fulsome Great Commission if we read it carefully.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
This is an essential message for the Church — especially the Western Church — today. And it is the key theme in The Forge, which traces the life of a purposeless young man, Isaiah Wright (Aspen Kennedy), as he seeks God’s purpose for him — aided in his spiritual walk by his mother and a mentor, Joshua (Cameron Arnett).
It is a story of godly mentorship, of seeking God’s will for our life, and ultimately, of total surrender to God’s sovereignty over us.
The film powerfully conveys the tension and complexity of that moment (or those moments) when you realise that God demands your entire life — everything about you — in submission to Him.
The Other Parts
How did the film hold up on the production-quality end?
While these factors are unimportant compared to the film’s powerful spiritual theme, the Kendrick brothers did not let me down when it came to film quality, acting, etc.
The movie was produced on a budget of around $5 million — apparently something of a sweet spot when it comes to recent Christian films, like Unsung Hero and Journey to Bethlehem. As The Forge is set in contemporary America — and production costs for films have been progressively going down — that budget was more than enough to craft a movie that supported the message admirably.
I had no bones to pick with the acting, the editing or the filmmaking. This is something the Kendricks have gotten progressively better at from their decades of experience — and it shows.
But ultimately, it was for the message that I watched The Forge. And I encourage you to do the same.
View this post on Instagram
__
The Forge is at the movies from Thursday 29 August. You can find your nearest cinema via the Faith Media website.
__
Image courtesy of TheForgeMovie.com.
4 Comments
Leave A Comment
Recent Articles:
24 July 2026
5.9 MINS
Most Australians know Jacinta Price. Fewer know her husband, Colin Lillie — a man who went from falling out with God to crediting him with saving his life. In an interview with The Daily Declaration, Lillie opens up about his journey through addiction and recovery, and why he’s speaking out now on cancel culture, truth, and what real forgiveness looks like.
24 July 2026
10.2 MINS
The Kairos II document accuses Israel of genocide, ethnic cleansing, settler colonialism, and apartheid. Its theological framing, historical claims, and political assertions raise serious concerns for Christians committed to biblical fidelity, historical accuracy, and the rejection of antisemitism.
24 July 2026
4.1 MINS
Across Australia and the rest of the Western world, Christians are increasingly finding themselves treated as unwelcome. Some face rejection, professional consequences, and growing social hostility for holding to traditional Christian convictions. How should Christians respond?
23 July 2026
2.8 MINS
When the New York Times critiques the ARC Conference for 'white Christian nationalism' but barely references anything from the conference, it's clear critics are concerned about its influence — just not enough to bother meaningfully listening to anything said during the presentations.
23 July 2026
6.3 MINS
The West is cannibalising itself, and Europe is leading the way. At the 2026 ARC Conference, thousands of culture-makers gathered to answer this pressing question: Does civilisation have to decline, or have we simply chosen to demolish it ourselves?
23 July 2026
8.8 MINS
Most Australians believe their private messages are private. The government has spent the last eight years proving them wrong. Here's what you need to know about the country's expanding surveillance systems.
23 July 2026
1.3 MINS
When the Sydney Morning Herald reported on Sir Salman Rushdie's survival of a stabbing attack, it forgot to mention the "Islamic terrorist" part of the Islamic terrorist attack he fell victim too.
Great article Cody!!!!!! This an exceptiuonal film with an exceptional message!!! Go and see it and take a friend. Then tell the world!!!!
I 100 per cent recommend the movie. It was, indeed, powerful and a real pleasure to see Christianity presented on the wide screen simply and truthfully. It is a movie for this time since discipleship is also being talked about by other Christian organisations. It was moving (ladies, I am sure you have tissues in your bag). An absorbing film with much to say about being all in for Lord Jesus and living for Him.
(This isn’t really pertinent but since Unsung Hero was the film I saw before this, I liked that The Forge used a For King + Country song.)
lndeed the word of God is sharper(Hebrews 4:12)
Genuinely great movie. It had moments where you could sense the low budget, but those were outweighed by the proper gospel message of discipleship and truly following Jesus in practice. Laugh out loud moments as well as tear jerkers. Highly recommend it.