The Last Temptation of Christ, another novel adaptation from author Nikos Kazantzakis, is an atypical retelling of the story of Christ, told entirely from his perspective that climaxes as Satan tempts him by ruminating on the life he could have had by raising a family with Mary Magdalene. Scorsese’s take, from a screenplay by frequent collaborator Paul Schrader and featuring actor Willem Dafoe in the lead role, was almost instantly declared one of the most controversial films ever, due to Christian groups taking offense from how it departs from the New Testament, on top of a range of highly violent and sexual sequences throughout.

While the film is not meant to be a fully accurate retelling of Jesus’s life, it does provide a unique approach to the material, portraying him as a tortured individual who wrestles with his destiny to be crucified for the good of humanity, and his desires to rebel against God’s plan. Dafoe is an inspired choice here, as most on-screen versions of this story utilize a fair-complexioned, appealing actor for the role. Dafoe’s performance makes Jesus out into being a regular person faced with a future beyond comprehension, with the weight of the world on his shoulders. In his own way, he’s extremely compelling and relatable, if a bit bizarre, but helps to make the adaptation work for a more adult audience.