“His only son“Celebrate Easter a week early.
The Angel Studios film, the first in a wave of new theatrical releases, came in at number three in early box office estimates over the weekend. Deadline.com reports faith-based drama brings $5.5 million on just under 2,000 screens.
That’s about half the score most major new releases hit.
Here is the official description of the movie:
Abraham (Nicolas Mouawad), his son, and two of their servants journeyed for three days to the place of sacrifice. Along the way, the men encounter dangers and trials as Abraham silently relives the decades-long memories he and his wife Sarah (Sara Sayed) long for a son. that the Lord had promised… the son that he must now put on the altar. Answering age-old questions about why God requires such sacrifices, HIS ONLY SON deeply explores humanity’s relationship with God and encourages viewers to look inward and ask: Will your faith still stand when you are asked to give everything away?
Critics largely ignored the title – only four Rotten Tomatoes-approved scribes were weighed on the site. AisleSeat.com’s Mike McGranaghan handed it over three out of four stars.
The idea of what it means to have faith is depicted in many Christian-themed films. This particular movie made it a real hit.
Audiences filled that gap, giving the film a 95% “new” rating.
The story behind “His Only Son” is almost fascinating.
The film’s budget of $250,000 is very small, even smaller than most indie films. Former US Marine David Helling, director and co-writer of “His Only Son,” served from 2005 to 2010, including a time in Iraq.
He got to film school thanks to GI Bill, and “His Only Son” marks his first feature-length feature in five short films.
The film’s P&A (Print & Advertising) budget was covered by a crowdfunding campaign, which Angel Studios said marked an industry first.
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The film, like many released in recent years, has suffered significant delays due to the pandemic. Helling says it took about five and a half years from start to finish, but those delays proved accidental.
“It seems like Christ is in the minds and mouths of so many people across the country and around the world and it’s like, ‘Wow, this movie couldn’t have come out at… a better time,’” Helling told Fox News.
The $5 million figure isn’t just remarkable for an indie film that doesn’t have a major studio behind it. Several Oscar bait films from last season earned less in their opening frames. Think “She Said,” “Tar,” “Bones and All” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.”
