Angel Studios, the outfit behind films like The King of Kings and The Shift, is ready to drop its latest project, DAVID, just in time for Christmas.
Directed by Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes, the film has already made an impact before reaching the big screen. Currently, it has amassed over $10 million in ticket presales and continues to climb. The feat is the highest in Angel’s history, and the highest ever reported for an animated theatrical musical.
DAVID comes at a time when the demand for faith-based content has never been higher, and frankly, the quality has never been better. We’re just a few months removed from the powerful animated feature Light of the World (which just received a Golden Globe nomination) and the second season of hit Prime Video series House of David. With quality music and a great learning experience, DAVID is sure to be a holiday hit for Angel.
The film opens with a note that it’s based on David’s story from 1 & 2 Samuel in the Bible. We’re introduced to a young David (Brandon Engman) shepherding his flock on a mountainside. Once he returns home (after thwarting a lion), he’s welcomed by his family and a special visitor, the prophet Samuel (Brian Stivale). A regular day takes a serious turn after Samuel informs David that God has chosen him as the new king of Israel.
Through songs and heavy proclamations of faith, the film focuses on specific points of scripture to tell the tale of David, son of Jesse. The original songs performed by Engman and the voice of adult David, Phil Wickham, are both soul-stirring and catchy. “Adventure Song,” “Shalom,” and “Follow The Light” are just a few of the more memorable tracks from the film. A reprisal of “Follow The Light” was performed by American singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle and Israeli singer-actress Miri Mesika.
Naturally, the entire story of David couldn’t be told in under two hours through animation and song. Instead, Cunningham and Dawes focused on specific points and verses to tell the story. In most adaptations of David’s life, the climax is always the slaying of the Philistine giant Goliath. DAVID touches on that, but thankfully goes a bit further.
With Samuel’s books totaling 54 chapters, detailing every moment wouldn’t be possible. The film did an excellent job casting the God-fearing David as Saul’s biggest threat, while Saul himself dealt with bouts of madness. A powerful moment during Saul’s paranoia was his confrontation with Samuel, where he tore the hem of the prophet’s robe. David’s friendship with Jonathan was also played up very well in the film.
A few areas they chose not to touch were David’s relationships (neither Michal nor Bathsheba), Saul and the Medium at Endor, and the Ark of the Covenant. Where most recounts of David have the Philistines as the ultimate antagonists, the film puts more emphasis on the Amalekites. I’m fine with this because of their importance as a nemesis to Israel in the Bible. They’re also the reason behind Saul’s rejection as king, after God commanded him to “completely destroy them,” and he didn’t. Instead, he spared their king, Agag, and kept the best of their livestock.
The film serves a dual responsibility in teaching and entertaining. There are enough bread crumbs to entice a novice to commit to further research, while simplified humor is bound to win over children (and most adults). One thing that can’t be undersold is David’s faith and belief in God. While some faith-based films brush over God or tiptoe around it, audiences will see what bold faith really looks like. The back-and-forth with Goliath is a great example.
DAVID gets a 9 out of 10. There are enough musical numbers for this to be a legitimate musical. Not only that, but the songs are irresistible. Phil Wickham’s voice is powerful and is the perfect complement to this epic story. Although the film is animated, the PG rating is appropriate. Oddly enough, for a film that rides on the phrase “follow the light,” there’s a good chunk of darkness in there too. I’m pretty sure the need for parental guidance comes from how they showed Jonathan’s demise and how they framed the Amalekites. Labeled nomads and enemies of Israel in the Bible, the film portrayed them like animated wildmen from Mad Max: Fury Road. Even so, the film is suitable for all ages and is definitely a great experience for the Christmas holiday.
DAVID premieres in theaters this Friday, Dec. 19.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of Angel Studios
Genre: Animation
Rating: PG
Runtime: 1 hr 52 minutes
Trailer: Watch
U.S. Release Date: December 19, 2025
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