Actor James Franco is under heat for his latest directorial release, 'Child of God'. The film is an adaptation of the 1973 novel of the same name and is about a man who descends into violence and necrophilia.

Contrary to the movie and book's title, the novel is based on Cormac McCarthy's merciless tale of a Tennessee loner who becomes a violent murderer who in turn becomes sexually obsessed with the corpse he kills.

The film is rated "R" for gruesome sexual violence, nudity, and explicit language. Although portrayed in a way to lure moviegoers in with the chilling crimes of a so called "child of God," movie critics all over the Internet are criticizing Franco for observing the lead character in the film rather than condemning his behavior, according to the New York, Daily News. The film and novel's title comes from a line in the book that describes the recluse main character as "a child of God much like yourself, perhaps."

The misleading title of the novel reportedly got an English teacher in Tuscola, Texas, fired after he entered the piece into his curriculum. Various other reports state that people who have actually read the book are immersed when reading in the themes of cruelty, isolation and moral degradation.

The film follows the main character, Lester Ballard, played by actor Scott Haze who descends to the level of a cave dweller and murderer after being deprived of parents and a home.

"There isn't a war per se in 'Child of God', just good and (mostly) evil in a Christ story in reverse about a mystery who becomes a man," the New York Times said of the film 'Child of God'.

Franco appeared, directed, and wrote the screenplay along with Vince Jolivette.

'Child of God', trailer below (WARNING contains violence)