[Movie] Brilliant Message: "The Forge" Review

I found myself connecting so much with the message of this story long after I had seen the movie. Not that I didn't have a good time seeing the movie or understanding the message but it got clearer what the message was as my life began to go in the directions that made me understand the story was trying to teach me.

I love that I tend to find what a movie story is teaching me while I try to get entertained by their acting and character roles. This movie was recommended to me after I had seen "War Room" and I knew immediately I was in for a good storyline with lessons to take. These movies are also from the same creators, Kendrick Brothers.

"The Forge" is a coming-of-age family drama released in 2024 starring Cameron Arnett, Priscilla C. Shirer, Aspen Kennedy, Karen Abercrombie and T.C. Stallings. The movie is written and directed by the Kendrick Brothers (Alex Kendrick and Stephen Kendrick). The movie delivers a deeply inspirational and uplifting faith-based experience, with powerful Christian messaging about mentorship, prayer, and spiritual growth that many found life-changing.

The story introduces our lead character, Isaiah Wright (starred Aspen Kennedy). He's a graduate and only interested in basketball and games, his mother is worried about what he plans to do with his life next. Sadly, he has no plan not until he receives a push to start making better life decisions. And that introduces the star maker to the story Joshua Moore (starred by Cameron Arnett) who is interested in helping young people.

Joshua has helped young people find their purpose, be disciplined, employ some and created a space where they can make impact with their lives. He finds Isaiah randomly and intentionally chooses to help him even though he gave a rude first impression as he did with another family before then. Isaiah accepts his offer thinking he's just going to work and earn money so his mother would be happy with him.

And then Joshua introduces Isaiah to "The Forge", a space that will change his life for the better. After the introduction, the prayers and doing things together, Isaiah begins to see a new purpose to pursue that brings joy to him and not merely out of obligation. Personally, this part of the story resonates with my life currently. Surrounding myself with great minds, learning to apply and appreciating opportunities that come. Life is better done with people and that is what this movies explores in its story. I'll recommend.