The Brand New Testament

Main Plot

In "The Brand New Testament," God is depicted as a grumpy, petty figure living in a drab apartment in Brussels, where he spends his days creating new laws to make human life miserable. His young daughter, Ea, grows tired of his tyranny and decides to rebel. She hacks into his computer, leaks everyone's death dates via text message, and escapes to Earth to write her own testament. Ea gathers six apostles, each with their own unique struggles and stories, to help her spread a new message of hope and kindness. As Ea's influence grows, the world begins to change in unexpected and profound ways, challenging the established order and offering a fresh perspective on life and divinity.

Characters

• Pili Groyne plays Ea, the rebellious daughter of God, who escapes to Earth to write a new testament and bring hope to humanity.
• Benoît Poelvoorde plays God, a grumpy, abusive figure who lives in Brussels and controls humanity's fate through a computer until his daughter rebels against him.
• Catherine Deneuve plays Martine, a disillusioned housewife who finds new purpose and love after receiving a life-changing text message.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of "The Brand New Testament," directed by Jaco Van Dormael, the narrative reaches a resolution as Ea, the daughter of God, successfully escapes from her tyrannical father and rewrites the world's destiny. Throughout the film, Ea has been on a mission to gather six apostles and inspire them to live their lives fully, despite knowing their exact death dates. In the end, Ea's mother, Goddess, awakens from her passive state and takes control. She transforms the world into a more harmonious and colorful place, contrasting sharply with the bleak, oppressive environment created by God. God, who had been rendered powerless and trapped in the human world, is now forced to work in a laundromat, stripped of his divine authority. The film closes with a sense of renewal and liberation, as humanity is freed from the arbitrary and cruel rules imposed by God. Ea's actions have led to a new, more compassionate order, symbolizing hope and the possibility of change.