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Historical drama

Paul, Apostle of Christ (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Paul, Apostle of Christ (2018) movie poster

Paul, Apostle of Christ is a 2018 historical drama directed by Andrew Hyatt, starring James Faulkner as Paul, Joanne Whalley and John Lynch. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $25.9 million worldwide on a $5 million budget. Critics gave it 47% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
47%
worldwide gross
$25.9M
Echo Score
69
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Paul, Apostle of Christ (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Director
Andrew Hyatt
Genres
Drama , History
Original language
English
Budget
$5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Paul, Apostle of Christ About?

The premise of Paul, Apostle of Christ without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Amidst the harsh realities of Nero’s Roman Empire, Luke embarks on a perilous journey to visit his imprisoned friend Paul. Facing a dire fate, Paul grapples with his past and questions whether he will be remembered and if he possesses the strength to endure. Luke's compassionate visit offers a glimmer of hope against the backdrop of oppression and uncertainty, as both men confront the looming threat of death and the challenges of faith.

Paul, Apostle of Christ Themes & Keywords

· 21 tags
  • reference to paul the apostle
  • 1st century
  • roman empire
  • christianity
  • saint paul
  • apostle
  • reference to jesus christ
  • early christianity
  • reference to saint luke
  • roman emperor
  • nero
  • new testament
+9 more
  • based on the bible
  • trust
  • persecution
  • incarceration
  • friendship
  • prayer
  • year 67
  • character name in title
  • 60s
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Cast & crew

Paul, Apostle of Christ Cast & Characters

James Faulkner leads the cast as Paul, with Joanne Whalley as Priscilla and John Lynch as Aquila. Directed by Andrew Hyatt; 17 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Andrew Hyatt

More films directed by Andrew Hyatt, best-rated first: The Blind, Sight, All Those Small Things and Full of Grace.

Full filmography
Ratings

Paul, Apostle of Christ Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Paul, Apostle of Christ 47% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in rewatch factor (75) and weakest in story & flow (50).

69 /100

Paul, Apostle of Christ Echo Score Breakdown

While Paul, Apostle of Christ delivers a thoughtful and earnest exploration of its subject, its execution yields inconsistent engagement across several dimensions. Critics and viewers note strong cinematography and solid performances but also criticize uneven pacing and a predictable narrative that rarely generates dramatic stakes. The film’s atmospheric visuals and thematic sincerity enhance its contemplative quality, yet the limited emotional resonance and underdeveloped storytelling curb its broader appeal. Overall, this balance of virtues and shortcomings results in a moderately favorable impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, the film offers well-composed shots and budget-conscious production design that often evoke the era authentically. Reviewers praised its striking cinematography and attentive staging, though some found the aesthetic occasionally banal and undercharged. Editing supports a consistent visual tone but lacks dynamic variety. As a result, the film achieves a solid visual identity while sometimes missing opportunities for more cinematic flair.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are widely regarded as competent and fitting to their roles. Critics and viewers highlight solid acting from the leads and authentic casting choices, though emotional depth and chemistry occasionally feel underdeveloped. The film conveys a principled portrayal of conviction, but the restrained delivery sometimes limits deeper empathy. Overall, the character work sustains credibility but offers limited emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative maintains a clear historical focus but often adheres to predictable beats. Observers commend its faithful approach to the source material, yet many note that pacing issues and a lack of dramatic stakes undermine momentum. Complex themes are presented earnestly, but the frequent reliance on dialogue-driven scenes hampers engagement. Consequently, the film achieves narrative clarity without delivering sustained originality or compelling tension.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When considering sensory experience, the film presents a subdued yet cohesive audiovisual design that supports its reflective tone. Reviewers note the consistent visual style and effective production sound, while some find the overall palette somewhat flat. Occasional moments of stark imagery and raw depiction of violence add texture, but the restrained score and muted sound design limit emotional impact. Overall, the sensory elements reinforce atmosphere more than dynamic immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    In terms of rewatch value, the film’s earnest approach and thematic sincerity offer moderate appeal for repeat viewing. Some viewers express willingness to revisit its faithful portrayal and atmospheric settings, yet the restrained pacing and lack of narrative surprises may limit long-term interest. The consistent tone and clear message could reward contemplative replays, but the film may not inspire frequent returns for audiences seeking more dynamic engagement.

Plot

Paul, Apostle of Christ Plot Summary

What happens in Paul, Apostle of Christ from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Luke, the evangelist, enters Rome covertly and immediately witnesses the horrific sight of Christians being burned alive to illuminate the streets at night. Sent by Christian communities from outside, he aims to enlist the help of Paul, the Apostle, to document his profound insights. In his quest, he meets Priscilla and Aquila, the leaders of a beleaguered Christian group in the city. They are embroiled in a debate: should they stay to aid the persecuted souls amidst Nero’s fiery rampage, or escape to avoid certain death?

Full summary

The whole story of Paul, Apostle of Christ, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Paul, Apostle of Christ Box Office & Budget

Paul, Apostle of Christ grossed $25.9 million worldwide on a $5 million budget, 5.2 times what it cost. $17.6 million came from the US and Canada and $8.4 million (32%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$25.9M

5.2× its budget

US & Canada
$17.6M
International
$8.4M
Budget
$5M
US & Canada 68% Rest of the world 32%
Videos

Paul, Apostle of Christ Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser Teaser Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Paul, Apostle of Christ?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What motivates Luke's covert infiltration of Rome?

Details

Paul, Apostle of Christ Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “Apoštol Pavel” and “Павел, апостол Христов”.

Also known as
  • Apoštol Pavel
  • Павел, апостол Христов
  • 바울
  • 어포슬 오브 크라이스트
  • Paulo
  • Apóstolo de Cristo
  • Pablo, el apóstol de Cristo
  • Apôtre du Christ
  • Павел, апостол Христа
  • Paweł, apostoł Chrystusa
  • 使徒保罗
  • Pablo el apóstol de Cristo
+20 more
  • Kristov apostol
  • Paulus, der Apostel Christi
  • Павло
  • Апостол Христа
  • Paolo, apostolo di Cristo
  • เปาโล...นักบุญแห่งคริสตจักร
  • Pavel, apostolul lui Hristos
  • Pál
  • Krisztus apostola
  • Apoštol Pavol
  • Paulius
  • Kristaus apaštalas
  • פול
  • השליח של ישו
  • 使徒保羅
  • パウロ 愛と赦しの物語
  • Pāvils
  • Kristus apustulis
  • Sứ Đồ Của Chúa Kito
  • 使徒保祿

Seen Paul, Apostle of Christ?

FAQ

Paul, Apostle of Christ FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Paul, Apostle of Christ, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Paul, Apostle of Christ?

Paul, Apostle of Christ runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was Paul, Apostle of Christ released?

Paul, Apostle of Christ was released on March 23, 2018.

Who directed Paul, Apostle of Christ?

Paul, Apostle of Christ was directed by Andrew Hyatt.

More films by Andrew Hyatt

Who is in the cast of Paul, Apostle of Christ?

Paul, Apostle of Christ stars James Faulkner as Paul, Joanne Whalley as Priscilla and John Lynch as Aquila, among 17 credited actors.

How much did Paul, Apostle of Christ make at the box office?

Paul, Apostle of Christ grossed $25.9 million worldwide ($17.6 million domestic, $8.4 million international) on a budget of $5 million.

How is Paul, Apostle of Christ rated?

Paul, Apostle of Christ has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 47% on Rotten Tomatoes, 52 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.

Does Paul, Apostle of Christ have a post-credit scene?

No. Paul, Apostle of Christ has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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