The Book of Life is a 1998 film directed by Hal Hartley. In the film, Jesus returns to earth on the eve of the new millennium planning to bring about the apocalypse, but finds himself surprisingly enamored of humanity. It stars Martin Donovan as Jesus, PJ Harvey as Mary Magdalene, and Thomas Jay Ryan as The Devil. Yo La Tengo appear as a Salvation Army band.

Plot

On the eve of the year 2000, Jesus Christ (Martin Donovan) returns to Earth, arriving at Kennedy Airport in New York with his mysterious and magnetic assistant Mary Magdalena (PJ Harvey). Sent by his wrathful Father, they retrieve a laptop from a locker and, with a few simple clicks, open the seven seals of the Book of Life, fulfilling the prophecy and setting in motion the Apocalypse and Armageddon. Yet, as he confronts humanity at the brink of a new millennium confused, faithless, and immersed in technology, Jesus begins to doubt the destiny assigned to him.