Angel Studios brings us another animated epic with David, produced by the talented South African team at Sunrise Animation Studios and directed by Brent Dawes and Phil Cunningham. Angel Studios proved their chops with Easter’s King of Kings, and they do so again here with this vivid retelling of David. After watching the trailer, I expected the film to focus only on David’s legendary slaying of the giant warrior Goliath of Gath — but that’s just the first half. The story continues through several of David’s later trials, a daring choice that, for the most part, pays off. Let’s get into it.
DAVID | Official Trailer | In Theaters Christmas | Angel
David brings to animated life the story of King David in musical form, from his anointing by the prophet Samuel to his ascension as king. Being familiar with the tale — and with other renditions like Amazon’s House of David and Richard Gere’s… let’s just say ‘rough’ King David (1985) — I was impressed by how Angel Studios softened the more mature elements of the Books of Samuel. To achieve that, the filmmakers take a few liberties, deepening some characters while omitting others entirely. I found expounding on David’s home life and his relationship with his mother a refreshing addition. Mature aspects like David’s marriages are left out, and several battle scenes are trimmed or merged, with implied violence rather than gore. There’s even a time jump bridging young David’s boyhood to his early adulthood. Now, did all the liberties work? Well, for the most part, yes. But for some parts, I wish they had lingered a little bit, especially on his friendship with Jonathan and how Saul considered David as a son. The price of compression, I suppose.
For Scripture absolutists, this won’t be a one-to-one adaptation. While not entirely faithful, the film captures the spirit of David’s journey remarkably well — emphasizing his trust in God and steadfast obedience despite hardship. Even from a secular viewpoint, universal themes of duty, sacrifice, honor, family, and friendship shine through, paired with the timeless coming-of-age arc of a young shepherd turned hero. Even Saul’s guilt, spiritual torment, and paranoia were handled quite cleverly in the form of the shadowy Amalekites.
Production-wise, the animation is superb. I expected something modest from the trailer, but the finished film exceeded those expectations. The Sunrise Animation team deserves acclaim — the characters are expressive, the beards enviable, and the stylized look gives the film immense charm. The visual design of Israel’s landscapes, from rustic towns to desert vistas, is a delight, and the battle cinematography — with armies arrayed in sweeping, cinematic fashion — clearly takes a page from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings.
The voice cast is equally impressive. Phil Wickham’s David radiates depth and sincerity, while Adam Michael Gold brings just the right intensity to Saul. I have to admit, I’m a sucker for a good hammy villain, and Asim Chaudhry’s flamboyant King Achish of Gath fit the bill perfectly. Even Goliath himself impresses, with added touches that enhanced his larger-than-life presence. David is a musical, no doubt, and the performances by the vocal cast, are what you’d expect from a performer like Phil Wickham.
Lastly, a word for parents — David runs about 115 minutes, so if you’re bringing younger kids (under 8–10), be prepared. The story moves at a steady but deliberate pace, and some scenes may test shorter attention spans. Don’t get me wrong, the humor is great and age appropriate, but there’s only so much a cute flock of sheep and cheeky little sister can do.
Angel Studios’ David is a great and worthy addition to their catalogue and it’s a great family movie. Go check it out!
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English (US) · 