The Watchlist: The Forge

The Forge

In this episode of "The Watch List," Russ Matthews & Ben McEachen dive deep into the faith-driven narrative of "The Forge," a new film by the Kendrick Brothers. They scrutinize the film’s approach to mentorship, discipleship, and the depiction of Christian values within modern culture. A blend of praise, critique, and insightful, making it a must-listen for film enthusiasts and faith-focused audiences alike.

As they dissect various elements, Russ and Ben explore the portrayal of mentorship through the character of Joshua Moore and his relationship with the young, directionless Isaiah. Discussing the appropriateness of evangelizing from a position of authority and examining its elements of wish fulfillment against the backdrop of real-life evangelism. Highlighting both the strengths and potential missteps in "The Forge," this episode brings forth a balanced perspective on its impact on Christian viewers and broader audiences.

Join the fun and send us your thoughts on both films. Have your say on their take or just drop us a comment at hopepodcast.com.au.

Film(s) Summary:

The Forge: Isaiah Wright (Aspen Kennedy) is a 19-year-old who focuses on life, such as basketball and video games. As his single mother and hairdresser, Cynthia (Priscilla Shirer), tries to make ends meet while encouraging her son to make something of himself, the two are continually bickering. She keeps pestering him to get a job and to rise above the example his father left him with when he abandoned his family when Isaiah was young. Nothing works for the young man until he happens to work in the warehouse of Moore Fitness. Unbeknownst to him, the owner, Joshua Moore (Cameron Arnett), would be part of the hiring process, and the business owner had bigger plans for Isaiah, including a mentoring program involving more than work skills. As his mother and her friends prayed for him, Isaiah learned more than he expected from the business entrepreneur, as the lessons involved life skills and the topics of faith.

We've got a lot of ground to cover!

So many shows, so little time. At least it feels like it. Between all the different streaming platforms and the blockbuster movies coming to cinema trying to get audiences back in a post-COVID world, we are spoilt for choice on screen – and yet, still “have nothing to watch”.

Deciphering all the voices in entertainment and how to think about the themes raised in movies, TV, and streaming is tough: enter our new podcast The Watchlist.

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