Zero A. D.

Zero A. D. is an upcoming American epic biblical thriller film set during the Massacre of the Innocents as told in the Gospel of Matthew from the Bible. Directed by Alejandro Monteverde, it stars Deva Cassel, Sam Worthington, Ben Mendelsohn, Gael García Bernal, and Jim Caviezel.

Zero A. D.
Teaser poster
Directed by	Alejandro Monteverde
Written by	Rod Barr
Based on	Gospel of Matthew from the Bible
Produced by	Leo Severino Eduardo Verástegui
Starring	Deva Cassel Sam Worthington Ben Mendelsohn Gael García Bernal Jim Caviezel
Cinematography	Gorka Gómez Andreu
Production company	Kasbah Films
Distributed by	Angel
Release date	December 19, 2025 (2025-12-19)
Country	United States
Language	English

Zero A. D. is scheduled to be released on December 19, 2025.

Synopsis

A young Virgin Mary protects her child Jesus from a murderous King Herod.^[1]

Cast

• Deva Cassel as Virgin Mary
  • Sophie Sloan as Young Mary
• Jamie Ward as Saint Joseph
• Sam Worthington as Antipater, Herod's son
• Ben Mendelsohn as Nahash of Ammon
• Gael García Bernal as Joachim
• Jim Caviezel as Herod the Great

Production

The film, originally titled Bethlehem and described as a "spiritual thriller" revolving around the Massacre of the Innocents, was announced in November 2024, with Alejandro Monteverde set to direct for Angel, marking their third collaboration. The cast includes Sam Worthington as Herod's son Antipater, Ben Mendelsohn as Nahash, Gael García Bernal as Joachim, and Deva Cassel as Mary.^[2]

Principal photography took place in Morocco in November 2024.

Release

The film was retitled Zero A. D. and is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 19, 2025.^[3]