A Spoiler-Filled Review of “Kingdom”: A Modern Shakespearean Tragedy
Picture this: a quaint little town where the sun shines a little too brightly on the well-manicured lawns, and the sound of hymnals fills the air. Enter Jack, our young protagonist, who is caught in a whirlwind of familial devotion, religious fervor, and the throes of self-discovery. It’s like “Romeo and Juliet,” but instead of star-crossed lovers, we have a young man wrestling with his identity in a world that demands conformity.
Jack: “To be true to myself or to please the family? That is the question!”
Yes, Jack, and spoiler alert: you’ll have to answer that one with a lot of heartache.
Jack’s family, devout Jehovah’s Witnesses, are as tight-knit as a pair of Spanx on a Thanksgiving feast. They attend meetings, spread the good word, and have a family motto that might as well be “Faith over everything!” But when Jack starts feeling the flutter of butterflies for a boy named Ethan, the façade begins to crack.
Jack’s Mom: “We must stay true to our faith, Jack. People will talk!”
Jack: “Well, maybe they should mind their own business and let me live my truth!”
And boy, does Jack’s truth come with a side of drama.
As Jack grapples with his feelings, he also faces the reality of his family’s expectations. The tension reaches a boiling point when his secret is revealed during a family dinner—because where else would you drop a bombshell?
Jack’s Dad: “You’re choosing sin over salvation?!”
Jack: “I’m choosing love, Dad! Isn’t that what God wants?”
Spoiler: It does not go well. Instead of a heartwarming hug, Jack gets a lecture on the evils of temptation and, oh yes, a one-way ticket to family exile.
Jack is left to wander the streets, a modern-day Hamlet, contemplating his fate under the glow of streetlights. He finds solace in Ethan, who becomes both a source of strength and a reminder of the chasm between Jack and his family. Their romance is sweet but fraught with tension, like a Shakespearean sonnet filled with unrequited love.
Ethan: “Your family doesn’t have to define you, Jack. You’re more than their expectations.”
Jack: “But what if I lose them?”
And there it is—the crux of Jack’s dilemma, wrapped in teenage angst and a dash of existential dread.
As the story unfolds, the local church gets wind of Jack’s “indiscretions,” leading to a showdown that would make any Shakespearean audience gasp.
Church Elder: “This is a matter of faith, boy! You must repent!”
Jack: “And what if I don’t want to repent for loving someone?”
Spoiler: The church does not take kindly to Jack’s defiance, and suddenly he’s the town’s pariah, stuck between a rock and a hard place—his family’s love and acceptance or his own happiness.
The climax is both poignant and heart-wrenching, as Jack ultimately makes a choice that resonates with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. In a final act of defiance, he stands up to the congregation, declaring his truth to the world.
Jack: “I am who I am, and I will not apologize for it!”
And just like that, he walks away from everything he’s known, leaving the audience in stunned silence.
In a bittersweet ending, Jack finds a new family among those who accept him for who he is, proving that love can conquer even the most rigid of beliefs.
So, if you’re looking for a tale that’s equal parts heartwarming and heart-wrenching, “Kingdom” serves it up with a side of Shakespearean flair. Just remember, when it comes to family, faith, and love, sometimes you have to break a few rules to find your own kingdom.