‘His Only Son’ Crashes Box Office Party
Angel Studios' film earns more than $5 million, but that's not the whole story
“His Only Son” celebrated Easter a week early.
The Angel Studios’ film, the first in its new wave of theatrical releases, came in third place in early box office estimates over the weekend. Deadline.com reports the faith-based drama brought in $5.5 million on just under 2,000 screens.
That’s roughly half of what most major new releases score.
Here’s the film’s official description:
Abraham (Nicolas Mouawad), his son, and their two servants journey for three days to the place of the offering. Along the way, the men encounter dangers and trials as Abraham silently relives memories spanning the decades he and his wife Sarah (Sara Sayed) longed for the son God had promised…the son he must now lay upon the altar. Answering age-old questions as to why the Lord would require such a sacrifice, HIS ONLY SON profoundly explores mankind’s relationship to God and encourages viewers to turn inward and ask: Can your faith still stand when you are asked to give everything?
RELATED: WHY ARE STUDIOS STILL AFRAID OF CHRISTIANITY?
Critics mostly ignored the title – only four Rotten Tomatoes-approved scribes weighed in on the site. Mike McGranaghan of AisleSeat.com handed it three out of four stars.
The idea of what it means to have faith is depicted in many Christian-themed films. This particular film makes it really hit home.
Audiences filled that chasm, giving the movie a 95 percent “fresh” rating.
The story behind “His Only Son” is nearly as compelling.
The film’s budget was a minuscule $250,000, smaller than even most indie features. Former U.S. Marine David Helling, who directed and co-wrote “His Only Son,” served from 2005 to 2010, including a stint in Iraq.
RELATED: SICK OF FAR-LEFT HOLLYWOOD PODCASTS? TRY THIS
He went to film school courtesy of the G.I. Bill, and “His Only Son” marks his first feature-length film following five shorts.
The film’s P&A budget (Prints & Advertising) were covered by a crowdfunding campaign, which Angel Studios says marks an industry first.
The film, like many released in recent years, endured sizable delays due to the pandemic. Helling says it took roughly five and a half years from start to finish, but those delays proved fortuitous.
“It seems like Christ is on the minds and the mouths of so many people around the country and around the world and it’s like, ‘Wow, this film could not come out at a…better time,” Helling told Fox News.
A $5 million haul isn’t just noteworthy for an indie film with no major studio behind it. Several Oscar-bait films from last year’s awards season made less in their opening frame. Think “She Said,” “Tar,” “Bones and All” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.”
It is Not a great Bible movie. It has too many scenes that are not in the bible. The Chosen series stands alone. We were very disappointed. Sorry for the comment but I hope they do better next time.
Thank you Halling and Angel Studios for a great movie and wonderful story. GODS love and promise for his people is the greatest stories of all times! Well done, suspenceful, and a testimony of faithfulness. We invested, and will continue to invest in Christian based films, The Chosen, David, Jacob and so many more to come. Lets all rise up, wake up, to support JESUS movement, with prayers, money and our votes rather than sponsoring Evilness in this world!! Protect our children.
I didn’t even know about it until my wife mentioned it Sunday after church, so we decided to go see it with our 12yo son. I enjoyed the faithfulness to the Scripture, with a little dramatic liberty, but not uncharacteristic. I liked the imaginings of things like Abraham’s conversation with Isaac on Mt Moriah and especially the flashbacks that told much of the story of Abram, Sarai and God’s promises. Sarai’s brokenness, despair and doubt, then ultimately joy, were so well portrayed. While not an exciting movie, it was captivating and moving. Well-done and I’m looking forward to more films like this to support.
Excellent depiction of Abram to Abraham and a most wonderful insight to how Sarah must have felt. Who knows if she really acted that way but this brought a real life and more in depth understanding to the situation… If you don’t know the story of Abraham and Isaac I suggest to read it and study prior to watching because this movie brings the word of God to life. If you don’t know the story you may not grasp it’s meanings..
I saw it in a Garland Texas AMC theater with a girlfriend this past Friday night: two old Christian ladies eager to see an Angel Studios film. Because the theater had no AC, those of us in the audience could appreciate how hot and uncomfortable the desert was as Abraham, Isaac and two servants headed to Mount Moriah to fulfill Abraham’s heart breaking mission.
The acting was believable as were the costumes and production values. Hard to believe that Helling could get so much out of a $250,000 budget–talk about ingenious directing and editing capabilities!
If you love the stories of Genisus, go see “His Only Son.” You will be glad you did.
My Wife and I went and saw this on Friday night. It was an amazing story, well told and with that budget completely amazing.
We are huge fans of The Chosen and have paid it forward @Angel Studios. Making the first 2 and last 2 episodes of season 3 was a stroke of genius.
Doing the same for His Only Son made it so much better seeing it on the big screen.
Great Movie!! Glad to see Christian movies hitting the big screen. Like others above, we don’t go to most of the Hollywood releases these days. Once you check the content, it is a fast, “no thank you!”
A perfect example of God’s perfect timing!
This was such a fabulous movie! Such a great depiction of what is in Genesis and throughout the Bible! Everyone needs to see what it’s really like to be faithful to God!
I saw it and it is amazing. I took my mother who is not a strong believer as I am and she loved the movie it really opens your mind and your heart!!!!
My wife and I saw the movie and give it 5stars. We will invest in the next movie.