MARTIN SCORSESE PRESENTS: THE SAINTS: “Peter”
A flawed fisherman becomes Rome's boldest witness — worth the watch.
Should You Watch It?
This is a strong, moving hour of television, and it's easy to recommend. Martin Scorsese's "Peter" episode traces the apostle from a hot-tempered, confused disciple to the bold first leader of the early Church, and it does so with real craft and real reverence. The vision of Peter's martyrdom is described as stunning and soul-stirring — the kind of scene that lingers.
It's also a Roman Catholic telling of the story, which means some of the biblical dialogue and framing lean that direction, including Peter's designation as the first Pope. That's worth knowing going in, not a reason to skip it.
The caution is straightforward: some violent images of crucifixion and flogging, with bloody detail, mean this isn't for young children. For teens and adults, this is a worthwhile, faith-affirming watch.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESJesus calls Peter, his brother Andrew, and their fishing friends off the Sea of Galilee with a promise: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." From there, the episode follows Peter's flawed, hot-tempered walk with Jesus — his confusion, his temper, his failures — through to a final charge from the risen Christ: "Feed my sheep." Those words set Peter on a path he doesn't yet understand, one that will carry him far beyond Galilee.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars, and the source material for that rating is clear: this is inspiring, well-told docudrama with a genuinely stunning depiction of Peter's martyrdom. The episode doesn't flatten Peter into a plaster saint — it leans into his confusion, his temper, and his denial of Christ, which makes his later transformation into a bold witness land with real weight. Scorsese, introducing the episode, frames Peter's arc as one of the most moving stories in the Gospels precisely because Peter is flawed. That choice pays off on screen.
The Worldview
This episode carries a very strong Christian, biblical worldview from start to finish. It follows Peter's arc from denial to bold proclamation of the Gospel, presents Jesus as the only name by which people can be saved, and promotes peace, love, service, forgiveness, and reconciliation — themes drawn straight from Matthew 16:17-19 and John 21:15-17.
One thing to know: the telling is shaped by a Roman Catholic perspective, including its treatment of Peter as the first Pope and the selection of verses used to frame his story. That's a distinct viewpoint, not a hidden one, and families of other traditions can watch and discuss it with that in mind.
What the episode gets right is the heart of Peter's story: a man too proud, too quick-tempered, too afraid to stand with Jesus at the cross — remade by grace into the rock the early Church was built on. That is a deeply biblical picture of transformation. Peter's own longing, and ours, is answered in the same words Jesus once spoke to him: "Follow me" (John 21:19).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Very strong Christian, biblical worldview focuses on the Apostle Peter’s story, going from denial of Jesus to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman Empire and eventually going to his death as a martyr, and presenting Jesus as the only name under which people can be saved, and promoting peace, love, service, forgiveness, and reconciliation, told from a Roman Catholic perspective that focuses on specific Bible verses such as Matthew 16:17-19 and John 21:15-17
Foul Language
None
Violence
Images of Jesus on the cross and the Apostle Peter being crucified upside down, a scene of Peter and two other Christian men being whipped with images of bloody backs from the whips, crazed woman spits at Peter and Jesus, but Jesus forgives her and gives her a piece of bread
Sex
No sex
Nudity
Upper male nudity during crucifixion scenes
Alcohol Use
No alcohol use
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drugs;
Miscellaneous Immorality
The Jewish leaders conspire against Jesus and punish the apostles for reaching His gospel.
Talk About It
Four questions for the couch, the commute, or the couple bingeing it together.
Peter denies knowing Jesus three times, then becomes the Church's boldest witness. Where has fear kept you from standing with Christ, and what would it look like to be restored the way Peter was?
John 21:15-17 · Luke 22:31-32Jesus washes the disciples' feet and tells Peter that following Him means humbling yourself to serve others. What's one way you could serve someone this week the way Jesus modeled?
John 13:12-15This episode tells Peter's story from a Roman Catholic perspective. What did you notice that reflected that viewpoint, and how does it compare with what you believe Scripture teaches?
Acts 4:12 · Matthew 16:17-19Peter's martyrdom is described as "stunning" and "soul-stirring." Why do you think the willingness of the early Christians to die for their faith still moves people today?
John 21:18-19 · Revelation 2:10The Final Word
This is a serious, well-made hour that takes Peter's failures seriously and his transformation even more seriously — and it earns the vision of martyrdom it builds toward. The Roman Catholic lens is worth discussing as a family, and the flogging and crucifixion imagery is enough to steer very young children elsewhere. For teens and adults: worth watching — teens and up.
