The Forge (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 3m (123 min)
- Director
- Alex Kendrick
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Affirm Films
- Budget
- $5M
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
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
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.
-
Director Alex Kendrick
- Aspen Kennedy as Isaiah Wright
- Cameron Arnett as Joshua Moore
- B.J. Arnett as Janelle Moore
- Karen Abercrombie as Miss Clara Williams
Also Starring in The Forge
· 16 more- Sharonne Lanier Grace
- Joseph Curtis Callender Tim Watson
- Willie Mellina Todd
- Marianne Haaland Wanda
- McKalin Keenan
- Selah Avery Keisha
- Brendan Goshay
- Stephen C. Lewis Emmett
- William Oliver Jamal
- Brian Porzio Diego
- Michael J. Patterson
- Michelle L. King
- Bobby Hardin Jr. Andre
- Ken Bevel
- Jonathan Evans
- Dylan Cruz
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).
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.
-
IMDb 6.8 /10
6225 votes
See on IMDb -
TMDB 82% User score
See on TMDB
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$40.4M
8.1× its budget
- US & Canada
- $29.1M
- International
- $11.3M
- Budget
- $5M
The Forge Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 teaser.
- Trailer Official Trailer
- Teaser First Look
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In which city does Isaiah Wright live?
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 Show fewer
- התחשלות
- พลังใจที่ไขว่คว้า
- Rèn Luyện Ý Chí
- Kalvė
- Кузница
- Yolun Başında
- 믿음의 길
- Кузня
- A Lélekkovács
Seen The Forge?
Movies Like The Forge
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Generational Sins, War Room and Faith of Our Fathers.
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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