Matthew Passion

Matthew Passion

Year: 2023

Runtime: 115 mins

Language: Russian

Director: Sergey Ilyin

ComedyRomance

Matvey, a dedicated altar boy with aspirations of priesthood, encounters Agata, a free-spirited artist who lives life on her own terms. Despite their contrasting personalities and lifestyles, they discover shared values and challenges that unexpectedly connect them. As they get to know each other, they must navigate their differences and explore whether a deeper understanding is truly possible.

Bittersweet
Bittersweet ending
Moderately emotional
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Moderate complexity

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Matthew Passion (2023)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Matthew Passion (2023). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary era

The events unfold in the present day, with references to modern dating services, hospital visits, and modern attitudes toward faith. Personal relationships and church obligations collide in real-time, highlighting current tensions between tradition and individual freedom. The timeframe focuses on intimate, timeless questions rather than historical events.

Location

Church parish, Small town

Set around a parish church and its surrounding neighborhood, the story unfolds within a tight-knit church community. The church serves as the social hub where family expectations and tradition press on the younger generation. The surrounding streets and homes reveal how faith shapes daily life and personal choices.

⛪️ Orthodox Church 🏘️ Small Town

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:09

Main Characters – Matthew Passion (2023)

Meet the key characters of Matthew Passion (2023), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Matthew

A young altar server who dreams of becoming a priest. He is diligent and compassionate, yet his path is deeply tested by romantic feelings and family expectations. The balance between duty, love, and personal happiness drives his choices throughout the story.

💒 Faith ❤️ Love 🧭 Duty

Agatha

An adventurous artist hired to paint icons in the church. She challenges the rigid boundaries of church life and follows her own vision. Her spontaneity and conviction spark a powerful connection with Matthew, while stirring conflict with the traditionalists around them.

🎨 Artist 🗝️ Rebellion 🌈 Individuality

Robert

Agatha's controlling boyfriend who tries to dictate her choices. His controlling behavior creates friction and heightens the emotional stakes for Agatha and Matthew. His actions act as a catalyst for the central moral and relational conflicts.

🎭 Jealousy 🗝️ Control 💬 Tension

Liza

Matthew's girlfriend who refuses to become a priest's wife, representing agency and modern choices. Her stance embodies the pushback against traditional expectations and adds complexity to Matthew's dilemma.

💔 Rejection 💬 Autonomy 🕊️ Freedom

Father Ioannes

A traditional parish priest who embodies authority and expectation. He pushes Matthew toward ordination and marriage, highlighting the pressures of institutional religion on personal life.

⛪️ Authority 🕯️ Faith 📜 Tradition

Father Fyodor

A second priest who represents tradition but also offers a more nuanced perspective. He provides a counterpoint to Matthew’s struggles, balancing strictness with moments of empathy.

⛪️ Authority 🕊️ Compassion 📜 Tradition

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:09

Major Themes – Matthew Passion (2023)

Explore the central themes of Matthew Passion (2023), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💞 Love vs Faith

Matthew's budding romance with Agatha tests his commitment to vows and his father’s expectations. The relationship strains the balance between duty to family, church, and personal happiness. The film explores how love can challenge tradition while faith offers a moral compass that complicates decisions. Ultimately, their bond signals a redefinition of what faith means in their lives.

⚖️ Moral Dilemma

Agatha's pregnancy and the pressure to consider abortion force Matthew to weigh religious beliefs against compassion for a woman's autonomy. The story presents an ethical tension between upholding the sanctity of life and supporting personal choice. Family expectations and community judgment amplify the stakes. The characters navigate a conflict between doctrine and humanity.

🌱 New Life

A year later, a newborn becomes a quiet sign of life and hope, signaling potential reconciliation. Matthew continues his altar service, and the memory of Agatha lingers in the church. The film uses the child as a symbol of life, responsibility, and the possibility of harmony between love and faith.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:09

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about bittersweet romance like Matthew Passion

Love stories where profound connection clashes with incompatible life paths.If you liked the tender but complicated relationship in Matthew Passion, explore more movies like it. These bittersweet romantic dramas feature couples navigating profound personal differences, leading to emotionally resonant stories that don't always end happily.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow two characters who form a deep, authentic bond, but their relationship is tested by significant differences in faith, ambition, lifestyle, or family obligations. The narrative revolves around the tension between their love for each other and their commitment to their individual paths, often culminating in a realistic, bittersweet resolution.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a specific emotional mix: the warmth of genuine connection paired with the ache of irreconcilable differences. They prioritize emotional authenticity over wish-fulfillment, creating a reflective and deeply felt viewing experience centered on difficult choices.

Movies about quiet faith journeys like Matthew Passion

Introspective character studies where belief systems are tested by real-world encounters.Fans of Matthew Passion's introspective look at faith and personal choice will find similar stories here. Discover movies about devout characters whose lives are changed by unexpected connections, leading to quiet, reflective dramas about finding oneself.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist living within a structured, often religious, world. Their orderly life is interrupted by someone or something that represents a different way of being. The story unfolds as an internal journey, with key moments of quiet reflection and dialogue that challenge and expand the protagonist's understanding of themselves and their faith.

Why These Movies?

These films share a specific mood: a quiet, reflective, and spiritually-infused tone. They are characterized by a steady pace that allows for deep character exploration, medium emotional weight, and a focus on internal conflict rather than external drama, creating a thoughtful and resonant vibe.

Unlock the Full Story of Matthew Passion

Don't stop at just watching — explore Matthew Passion in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Matthew Passion is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Matthew Passion Summary

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Matthew Passion Summary

Matthew Passion Timeline

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Matthew Passion Timeline

Matthew Passion Spoiler-Free Summary

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Matthew Passion Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Matthew Passion

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Matthew Passion (2023) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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