Willem Dafoe Calls All the Criticism that The Last Temptation of Christ Received ‘Strange’: ‘It Became a Huge Antisemitic Thing’

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More recently, Willem Dafoe discussed the enduring influence his character as Jesus in the contentious 1988 film “The Last Temptation of Christ” has had on him. The movie caused a stir globally due to the visionary direction of Martin Scorsese.

In an open conversation on The Louis Theroux Podcast, Dafoe shared that he was dismissed from a film production because of his connection to The Last Temptation.

The actor from Nosferatu shared, “In the future, there was a specific role I landed and the studio removed me due to my connection with The Last Temptation. However, I’d rather not dwell excessively on this as things could have turned out far more unfavorably for me.

Dafoe expressed astonishment at the massive criticism his film received, emphasizing its intent to explore the human qualities of Jesus rather than undermine religious faiths. He found this reaction quite unusual.

The Actor from Kindness expressed, “It’s peculiar, amidst the abundance of horror films and profanity, that people reacted so strongly to this adaptation because it draws from a novel and slightly alters the traditional story of Jesus for a fresh perspective, that’s essentially what’s happening.

In a later discussion, the seasoned actor – who is now 69 years old – clarified that the film “The Last Temptation of Christ” offered a fresh take on the story of Jesus by emphasizing his human aspects over his divinity as portrayed in the original narrative.

Dafoe explained that it’s not about plotting to overthrow or alter religious beliefs. Instead, it’s an exploration, a different perspective on the human side of Jesus, contrasting with his divine nature.

As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but acknowledge that a significant portion of the interpretation and subsequent controversy surrounding the film was largely shaped by Martin Scorsese’s vision. To add to that, it seemed that the criticism the movie received took on an unsettlingly antisemitic tone in America, as there was an association often made between this religious group and the notion that “the corrupt forces in Hollywood” were at work.

Initially, Willem Dafoe saw a significant impact on his career following the release of “The Last Temptation of Christ”. However, he is currently fully occupied with numerous upcoming movies. Recently, he was seen on the silver screen in Robert Eggers’ dark story, “Nosferatu”.

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2025-01-16 13:52