Surprise box office hit 'His Only Son' relays Abraham's test of sacrifice

The film was shot in the California desert which was made to resemble the Iraqi desert where the story took place around 4,000 years ago.

The shooting locations were restricted to deserts and tents, with no additional "appealing" cinematic elements, as was the case in Darren Aronofsky's 'Noah' with its battles, animals, conflicts, and the ark Noah spent his life making before the flood.

The film drew in even the non-religious audiences of Hollywood. For such a low-budget drama (as evident from promotional materials), the film surely stood out. So, what exactly makes it a worthwhile watch?

Human drama

Although we already know how the story ends – Abraham does not ultimately harm Isaac after offering him to God – we still find ourselves compelled to watch and see how it all unfolds.

Film writer and director David Helling takes an artistic approach that strongly emphasises the film's dramatic aspects — particularly in Abraham's character. In the divine books, Abraham is pictured as powerful, assertive, and instructive, but in the film, the prophet's attitude is not one of dominance or authority.

Instead, he is torn between two predicaments: fulfilling God's commands and dealing with the scepticism of those around him.

Although his family and companions often support him, their human nature occasionally leads them to succumb to confusion and doubt. This particular aspect is personified through Sarah's character.

The movie lacks the grand narrative that bridges old and new worlds, as seen in the movie 'Noah', or the portrayal of a significant figure or historical event from a certain belief system, as in 'The Passion of the Christ'.

Instead, it focuses solely on the story of a faithful and obedient prophet whose physical strength crumbles under the burden of divine revelation. While he may not possess all the answers, his unwavering faith serves as the film's central theme.

The drama in the movie possesses a certain level of depth. While the main dramatic material revolves around Abraham following God's command to sacrifice his son, the filmmakers incorporated other historical occurrences to demonstrate Abraham's interactions with divine commands, his and Sarah's longing for a son, and the eventual fulfilment of this wish after a long and difficult journey.

These past threads are interwoven with the present story of sacrifice. The past forms the crux of the film, giving rise to an intense psychological conflict as Abraham faces his ultimate test. How can he sacrifice the very son he had always yearned for?

A theatrical-like experience

David Helling's 'His Only Son' diverges from the commonly known cinematic rule of "show, don't tell," which relies on visual storytelling. Instead, the script heavily depends on explanatory dialogues, giving the film a feel more theatrical than cinematic.

The detailed dialogues serve a specific purpose, as they justify the doubts and scepticism of the prophet's companions towards his history and views.

While attempting to explain his past actions, Abraham solely relies on words, without accompanying visuals, which weakens his arguments in the eyes of his companions. This prompts us to wonder about their reaction when they discover his intention to sacrifice his son.

These dialogues give the actors ample room to showcase their skills. Nicolas Mouawad delivers a convincing performance as the wise and righteous Abraham, a loving family man who empathises with others but is tested by divine trials that challenge his very essence.

Edaan Moskowitz impresses with his portrayal of Isaac, capturing the innocence of a boy, the fear felt by his father Abraham, and the ultimate test. Sara Seyed skillfully depicts the struggles of Sarah, the wife of the Prophet, whose hardships surpass her understanding.

'His Only Son' does not fit the mould of a typical Hollywood movie. It doesn't rely on flashy visuals, and the actors speak in a semi-neutral and uncomplicated English accent, rather than an American one like in Noah.

If it weren't for censorship in certain Arab countries, one could easily imagine this movie being of Arab making.

New Thought movement

'His Only Son' caters to a particular religious audience, as evidenced by its ending, which draws parallels between the sacrifice of Abraham's son and the life of Christ.

However, the movie's success at the US box office — where it grossed $12 million in ticket sales — indicates that it may have appealed to a broader audience beyond the religious demographic, driven by a purely human story.

The idea of faith is no longer exclusive to religious individuals, as there is a growing trend among advocates of mindfulness and the New Thought movement to emphasise the power of faith and its ability to manifest miracles.

This view is reflected in popular books like 'The Secret' and' Law of Attraction'. Numerous videos on YouTube in multiple languages offer guidance on how to turn thoughts into tangible realities through manifestation.

'His Only Son' depicts a simple yet exemplary story of unwavering faith that not only turns wishes into reality but also upholds the inevitability of survival in a time of scarce hope and salvation.

The familiar storyline, although varying in specifics across religions, adds to the comforting and welcoming ambience of the movie.