Review of David: An Epic Biblical Tale Powered by Faith, Music and Courage

An Epic Biblical Tale Powered by Faith, Music and Courage

Cast: Phil Wickham,Miri Mesika, Sloan Muldown, Mark Jacobson, Adam Michael

Critic’s Rating: 4 Stars out of 5

Director: Brent Dawes, Phil Cunningham

Duration: 1 hour, 55 minutes

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Musical

Language: English

Release: 2025

What’s it about?
David (Phil Wickham), a young shepherd—the biblical character from the Book of Samuel in the Old Testament—rises to the challenge of protecting his nation from both external enemies and internal threats through unwavering honesty, deep faith in God, and quiet determination. But will his righteousness and innocence ultimately guide him toward success, or prove to be his greatest test?

Review:
Animated films often possess a unique ability to tell profound stories through endearing, relatable, and emotionally grounded characters, all wrapped in a world of fantasy. David—a quietly confident entry into this imagination-fuelled space—turns out to be a surprisingly rewarding experience. Right from the opening scene, where young David not only saves his herd from a ferocious lion but also rescues the dangerous predator from a painful end, the film establishes its compassionate core. It’s almost effortless to fall in love with David as a character.

From there, the narrative progresses in a logical and engaging manner, introducing a rich ensemble of characters. These include the eccentric King Saul of Israel (Adam Michael Gold), his benevolent young son, David’s warm and grounded family, Prince Jonathan (Mark Jacobson), and the scheming King Achish, the monarch of Gath (Ashish Chaudhry), among several others. Each character is thoughtfully written and brought to life by capable voice actors, making their interactions consistently engaging to watch. Despite being a musical—with David and his mother Nitzevet (Miri Mesika) frequently breaking into song—the film’s pacing never falters.

David’s journey and the challenges he faces keep the viewer invested, with adventure-driven sequences adding momentum to this well-crafted animated saga. In spite of its modest production scale, the film visually feels expansive enough to rival offerings from larger studios. Its period setting is convincingly rendered, capturing the dangers of life in war-torn Israel, threatened by the mighty Goliath-empowered (Kamran Nikhad) Philistines and the ruthless Amalekites.

While the voice performances across the board are impressive, Phil Wickham stands out as the young shepherd reluctantly anointed to be king by divine will. He beautifully captures David’s quiet resolve, deep faith, and emotional vulnerability. Overall, David is an engaging and entertaining watch, blending history, adventure, and music—making it an ideal viewing choice for children of all ages.