SummaryStreetwise but down-on-his-luck, Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) is struggling to find a better life for his family, while fighting to free himself of debt. Captivated by the power and glory of the rising Messiah and His apostles, he risks everything to carve his own path to a divine life, and ultimately discovers that the redemptive power of belief... Read More
Directed By:Jeymes Samuel
Written By:Md Minhaj Miah, Jeymes Samuel
The Book of Clarence
Metascore
Mixed or Average
57
User score
Generally Favorable
6.3
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
57
52% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
44% Mixed
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
4% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Jan 11, 2024
91
It’s a well-made, witty movie that manages to send up some of the tropes of organized religion while simultaneously signaling that it is firmly on the side of the believers, and also managing not to annoy any atheists in the house. Jesus, it’s good.
Jan 11, 2024
80
The sincerity with which The Book of Clarence approaches its story, combined with its sheer boldness, will cement Samuel as a filmmaker who soars to unimaginable heights.
User score
Generally Favorable
6.3
50% Positive
22 Ratings
22 Ratings
30% Mixed
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
20% Negative
9 Ratings
9 Ratings
Feb 9, 2024
10
Multiverse Messiahs? Well, it worked for Spiderman. Why not The Xrist? The movie is a thought-provoking and deeply introspective that delves into the concept of empathy and the complexities of mistaken identity. Filmed with a unique updated blend of theological exploration and fiction elements, this movie offers a fresh perspective on the atmospheric and the souls of the Messiahs… -It is a symbol by faith-. The director skillfully weaves together multiple mental dimensions and presenting the Messiahs- a figure who exists simultaneously in various realities. This multiverse approach allows for a captivating exploration of empathy. Clearance. From ordinary men to pioneer, is one of the different versions of messiahs encounter diverse individuals and situations, each with their own unique challenges and perspectives. -Including the Blanco messiah- one of the most compelling aspects of this movie is its portrayal of the messiah’s empathy. Through the multiverse lens, the director emphasizes the importance of understanding and compassion, showcasing how Clarnece adapts his knowledge and actions to suit the needs of each reality he encounters. This portrayal serves as a powerful reminder of the universal nature of empathy and its ability to transcend boundaries
Feb 7, 2024
10
A modern masterpiece, will be looked upon far morefavorably as time passes. Pays homage to classic films and does it with a great vast, deals with heavy subjects but gives breaks with moments of levity that don't take away from the overall meaning or feeling of the film
Jan 10, 2024
69
Samuel’s The Book Clarence is a grab bag of ideas and genres that sometimes hit their mark, but in general don’t land a believable arc for the title character.
Jan 8, 2024
63
Whether it works depends less on piety than on taste. Beneath the giddy subversion, there’s a cheerless solemnity — a splash of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” as it were — that often comes close to curdling the farce.
Oct 12, 2023
60
Stanfield is a performer whom you can’t help warming to, although here, as sometimes in the past, I found myself wanting him to bring something extra in the third act, some new level of energy or anger. But maybe it would be wrong here.
Jan 9, 2024
50
Samuel never stays with any idea for long and “The Book of Clarence” lacks cohesion, as well as consistency, even if the acting is superb, especially from a soulful Stanfield.
Jan 10, 2024
38
The Book of Clarence, the religious epic by multi-hyphenate talent Jeymes Samuel, is a handsomely crafted picture that simply loses the plot.
Jan 14, 2024
10
This was superb.. entertaining throughout
Emotional, Hilarious, Action w/ a biblical delivery ..and of course I have to mention the amazing & soulful soundtrack!
May 6, 2024
6
Tirando todo o anacronismo e revisionismo, é um filme divertido de acompanhar, me diverti muito mais com isso aqui do que com um Monty Python da vida. Claro que há um pouco de agenda woke, de modo que, sinceramente, eu me via mais no século XXI do que na primeira era cristã. Ainda assim, é simpático em sua proposta e confere diversidade a um mundo que acostumamos a ver com olhos europeus tradicionais.
Mar 9, 2024
6
"Book of Clarence" (1/12/24, PG-13, 122-min, $6M US only, D/Jeymes Samuel) is an interesting dramedy vehicle for star LaKeith Stanfield ("Atlanta"). In the time of Jesus, he plays a down on his luck dude who needs shekels to pay off a debt fast. He concocts a money-making scheme to be a charlatan messiah since, as an atheist, he's sure that Jesus is just using tricks to fool crowds into donating money. And he sees success at it. Along the way he frees Barabbas who becomes a bodyguard for Clarence. However, it's disappointing to see the director using the film play to hurtful racial stereotypes, though. IIRC, the entire biblical cast is black but the cruel Roman legions are all white, so that was unnecessary reverse-racism. Anyway, karma catches up to Clarence the charlatan and he finds himself staked up alongside the real one which can trigger an emotional reaction and leads to a character-transforming touching ending.
Mar 15, 2024
3
I'm not very spiritual and I don't smoke dope, so the whole thing made me feel like a furry at a nudist camp.
Feb 6, 2024
2
Overall a poorly executed film. I'm only giving it a 2 because of the somewhat original idea behind it.
Production Company:
- Legendary Entertainment
- Legendary Pictures
- Legendary Studios
- TriStar Pictures
Release Date:Jan 12, 2024
Duration:2 h 16 m
Rating:PG-13
Awards
Image Awards (NAACP)
• 6 Nominations
Black Reel Awards
• 2 Nominations
BET Awards
• 1 Nomination
