Exodus: Gods and Kings (Movie Review)

Rating:

Updated March 2026

#ExodusGodsandKings is an epic blockbuster Biblical tale that will satisfy those fans of religious fare and visual cinematic entertainment. Mexican director Guillermo del Toro and other visual pioneers have lauded Scott’s ability to craft a visually epic film, and he is in rare form here.

The Gist

It’s basically a The Ten Commandments remake where Moses leads the Jews to freedom as he parts the Red Sea, speaks to God through the Burning Bush (as well as appearing as a small child), and we see the 7 Plagues in 3D.

What Works

This is Ridley Scott directing. You can say anything you want about the man, but what you can’t say is that he can’t make a visually epic film. Scott is in rare form here. His visuals are of “biblical spectacle proportions.” The depth, size, scale, and scope of the 3D landscapes are staggering. Both Christian Bale and Joel Edgerton were convincing and compelling as Moses and Ramses, and the story, as you know, is one of the greatest ever told.

What Doesn’t Work

If you had to find flaws with the film, you could look toward the supporting cast. A very talented ensemble consisting of Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver, and Aaron Paul barely got any screen time, therefore, their talents weren’t used to their potential.

Pay or Nay? Pay. This a Biblical blockbuster that is both stunning to see and enthralling to watch. There are long, intense action sequences, tremendous visual 3D effects, two strong lead performances, and a director who is a legend.

Update March 2026
Since 2014, Ridley Scott has only doubled down on his dominance of the big-screen epic. His 2024 return to the arena with Gladiator II was a win, and he’s already back in production for Gladiator 3. His next swing, the sci-fi thriller The Dog Stars starring Jacob Elordi, is eyeing an August 28, 2026 release. And keep an eye on Christian Bale, who’s still as dedicated to the craft as ever, headlining The Bride in 2025.

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Rated: PG-13 for violence including battle sequences and intense images
Release Date: December 12, 2015
Screenplay: Adam Cooper, Bill Collage
Director(s): Ridley Scott
Starring: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Aaron Paul, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, Emun Elliott, John Turturro, María Valverde, Anton Alexander, Indira Varma, Ben Mendelsohn, Golshifteh Farahani, Hiam Abbass, Kevork Malikyan, Andrew Tarbet, Aaron Neil, Anna Savva, Barrie Martin, Gerard Monaco, Ghassan Massoud
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Film Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama