JEBUS: A Satirical Second Coming Made in Gulfport

Sure seems like the world could use a (satirical) second coming, right? Enter JEBUS — a divine comedy feature film that was born, raised, and brought to life right here in Gulfport.

Written, directed, produced, scored, and starring Gulfport resident Cole “Coley” Thomas, JEBUS follows a beach-bum Jesus returning to America to teach us how to love again. Think Monty Python meets South Park, filtered through the lived experiences of a long-haul Covid survivor who turned his personal healing into a Gulfport community art project.

Coley — who plays five different roles including Jebus himself, a gun-obsessed extremist, and a bigoted Karen in drag — calls the project “Revelutionary Enlightainment”: comedy designed to wake us up, heal divides, and spark conversation. The film skewers everything from political violence to consumerism, while at its core honoring the timeless message of love, forgiveness, and compassion.

Gulfport: The Star Behind the Scenes
While Coley is the auteur, Gulfport is the true star of JEBUS. Nearly 200 locals — from artists and veterans to small business owners and even Max, a beloved Gulfport resident experiencing homelessness — joined the cast and crew. Together, they created a fully community-owned cooperative film, with 49% of profits shared among participants.

“Gulfport healed me,” Coley says. After a near-fatal battle with Covid, he moved into his grandfather’s condo and found in Gulfport not skepticism, but belief. “This wouldn’t have worked anywhere else.”

The city itself shines on screen, from drone shots of the Casino to local musicians like Solar Flair (a ProjectFREE band) rocking the soundtrack. At its Gulfport premiere, audience cheers erupted not just for the jokes — but for the hometown landmarks and neighbors featured on screen.

Why JEBUS Matters Now
Part Idiocracy, part Pineapple Express, and a dash of Mel Brooks, JEBUS is both outrageous and earnest. It pokes fun at the hypocrisies of politics and religion but never mocks God. Instead, it reimagines faith for today’s fractured times, with a “duct tape and magic” ethos that reflects Gulfport’s scrappy, creative spirit.

In an age of corporate blockbusters and streaming monopolies, JEBUS is proof that community-driven, purpose-fueled art can thrive. Streaming access is available directly at www.JebusMovie.com
, ensuring revenue flows back to the Gulfport community that made it.