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Family drama

The Forge (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Forge (2024) movie poster

The Forge is a 2024 family drama directed by Alex Kendrick, starring Aspen Kennedy as Isaiah Wright, Cameron Arnett and B.J. Arnett. It runs 2 hours 3 minutes and earned $40.4 million worldwide on a $5 million budget. IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
worldwide gross
$40.4M
Echo Score
74
budget
$5M
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The Forge (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 3m (123 min)
Director
Alex Kendrick
Genres
Drama , Family
Original language
English
Budget
$5M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is The Forge About?

The premise of The Forge without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Isaiah Wright finds himself at a crossroads and must reconsider his direction. Supported by a mentor and his mother's prayers, he undertakes a journey of self-discovery, seeking to find his purpose and deepen his relationships.

The Forge Themes & Keywords

· 12 tags
  • discipleship
  • two word title
  • mentor protege relationship
  • religious sermon
  • spin off
  • mother son relationship
  • actress reprises previous role
  • actor reprises previous role
  • co written by director
  • real life husband and wife playing husband and wife
  • one actress for twin sisters
  • coming of age
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Cast & crew

The Forge Cast & Characters

Aspen Kennedy leads the cast as Isaiah Wright, with Cameron Arnett as Joshua Moore and B.J. Arnett as Janelle Moore. Directed by Alex Kendrick; 20 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

The Forge Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate The Forge 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in sensory experience (65).

74 /100

The Forge Echo Score Breakdown

In overall assessment, The Forge excels in delivering emotionally resonant characters and a clear inspirational message, while its artistic execution and narrative originality fall short of broader cinematic standards. Critics acknowledge the strong lead performance and solid acting, yet cite formulaic direction and preachy pacing as weaknesses. Audience reactions highlight the film’s uplifting tone and effective music, which enhance viewability for its target demographic. Consequently, the film offers a respectable but uneven experience, appealing mainly to faith‑based viewers.

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

  • Art & Craft 73

    In terms of art and craft, the film presents competent production values with brisk action sequences and a polished visual style, but its direction remains conventional and the cinematography unremarkable. Critics note the sleek appearance of the lead and solid editing, yet describe the overall aesthetic as formulaic and occasionally mundane. The result is a technically adequate but not distinctive visual presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When evaluating character and emotion, performances stand out as the film’s primary strength. Reviewers praise the nuanced portrayal of the protagonist and supportive cast, describing the dynamics as engaging and emotionally resonant. Some critics, however, mention that character depth is limited by overt didactic dialogue. Overall, the acting delivers a credible and affecting experience despite occasional narrative constraints.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In the story domain, The Forge offers an uplifting mentorship narrative that resonates with its intended audience, yet it adheres to familiar faith‑based tropes and predictable pacing. Critics acknowledge the hopeful message but criticize the preachy tone and lack of originality. While viewers find the plot heartwarming and inspirational, its conventional structure limits broader cinematic appeal.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    Regarding sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack and sound design are competently integrated, supporting the emotive tone without overwhelming the narrative. Visual styling remains serviceable, with clean cinematography that complements the modest production scale. Reviewers note the music as a highlight, though some find the overall sensory palette somewhat conventional.

  • Rewatch Factor 78

    The rewatch factor is strong among the film’s core demographic, who appreciate its consistent inspirational message and relatable character arcs. Audience feedback highlights repeated enjoyment and a desire for similar faith‑centered stories. Conversely, broader viewers may find limited replay value due to the overt preaching and niche themes. Overall, repeat viewings are encouraged mainly within its target community.

Plot

The Forge Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Forge from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Charlotte, North Carolina, 19-year-old Isaiah Wright, Aspen Kennedy Wright plays basketball and video games with his friends, but is negligent in his home life with chores. His mother Cynthia insists he get a job or move out, as he’s passed on attending college. Isaiah has a decrepit Ford Mustang in their garage that his father failed to restore with him as promised, so he commutes by bike. At a coffee shop, Isaiah flirts with the cashier Abigail, until her father kicks Isaiah out. Isaiah fills out an application for Moore Fitness when a man walks in and asks Isaiah why he’s there. A dismissive Isaiah finds out the man is the president of the company, Cameron Arnett. Leaving, Isaiah is stopped by Joshua, who invites Isaiah to lunch.

Full summary

The whole story of The Forge, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Forge Box Office & Budget

The Forge grossed $40.4 million worldwide on a $5 million budget, 8.1 times what it cost. $29.1 million came from the US and Canada and $11.3 million (28%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$40.4M

8.1× its budget

US & Canada
$29.1M
International
$11.3M
Budget
$5M
US & Canada 72% Rest of the world 28%
Videos

The Forge Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 teaser.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser First Look
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Forge?

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

In which city does Isaiah Wright live?

Details

The Forge Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “Kendrick Brothers 2024 Film” and “La Forja”.

Also known as
  • Kendrick Brothers 2024 Film
  • La Forja
  • A Forja – O Poder da Transformação
  • Przemiana, სამჭედლო
  • The Forge – Die Schmiede des Herzens
  • 摇篮
  • La fragua
  • La strada dell’anima
  • 鑄鐵爐
  • Пробуждане
  • Zkouška dospělosti
  • Ковачница
+9 more
  • התחשלות
  • พลังใจที่ไขว่คว้า
  • Rèn Luyện Ý Chí
  • Kalvė
  • Кузница
  • Yolun Başında
  • 믿음의 길
  • Кузня
  • A Lélekkovács

Seen The Forge?

FAQ

The Forge FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Forge?

The Forge runs 2 hours 3 minutes (123 minutes).

When was The Forge released?

The Forge was released on August 23, 2024.

Who directed The Forge?

The Forge was directed by Alex Kendrick.

More films by Alex Kendrick

Who is in the cast of The Forge?

The Forge stars Aspen Kennedy as Isaiah Wright, Cameron Arnett as Joshua Moore and B.J. Arnett as Janelle Moore, among 20 credited actors.

How much did The Forge make at the box office?

The Forge grossed $40.4 million worldwide ($29.1 million domestic, $11.3 million international) on a budget of $5 million.

How is The Forge rated?

The Forge has 6.8/10 on IMDb and 82% on TMDB.

Does The Forge have a post-credit scene?

Yes. The Forge has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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