Sydney Sweeney’s The Housemaid Overtaken by Animated Biblical Rival

Few weekends at the box office have been quite as unpredictable as this one. Sydney Sweeney’s latest psychological thriller, The Housemaid, found itself in a rather unusual contest, going head-to-head with a faith-based animated musical. Angel Studios’ David managed to narrowly surpass Sweeney’s film, opening to an estimated $22 million, the most successful launch in the studio’s history. Meanwhile, The Housemaid followed closely, bringing in a robust $19 million. Directed by Paul Feig and adapted from Freida McFadden’s 2022 bestseller, the film features Sweeney alongside Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar.

Critical response has been largely positive, with The Housemaid currently holding a

“certified fresh”

74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. David, on the other hand, has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from its core audience, boasting a near-perfect 98% audience score. The two films, though worlds apart in subject matter, have both managed to draw significant crowds, demonstrating that both the sacred and the sensual still have their place in the cinema.

Box Office Figures and Sweeney’s Career Turnaround

For Sweeney, this weekend marked a much-needed change in fortunes. The Housemaid delivered her strongest box office performance to date, especially when compared to her previous lead role in Christy, which concluded its entire theatrical run with a modest $2 million. The contrast is striking, as The Housemaid not only outperformed Christy financially but also received a warmer critical reception. On Rotten Tomatoes, the thriller stands at 74%, while Christy lags behind at 66%.

After a string of commercial disappointments, including Eden and Americana, and with her last three films collectively earning less than $5 million, Sweeney’s latest project appears to have steadied her standing at the box office. The film’s confident opening suggests audiences are once again taking notice of her work.

Inside David: Story, Cast, and Production

Angel Studios’ David is a 2025 animated musical adventure inspired by the Book of Samuel. Building on the Young David miniseries, the film follows the journey of a shepherd who becomes a poet, warrior, and eventually King of Israel. Phil Wickham lends his voice to the adult David, with Brandon Engman portraying the younger version. The supporting cast includes Asim Chaudhry, Mick Wingert, Will de Renzy-Martin, and Lauren Daigle.

The narrative begins in Bethlehem, where David, tending his father’s sheep, gains recognition after defending the flock from a lion. Anointed by the prophet Samuel, he is summoned to King Saul’s court to play the lyre, soothing the troubled ruler. When the Philistines, led by Goliath, challenge Israel, David’s faith leads him to victory with a single stone. Over time, he becomes a soldier, forms a close bond with Jonathan, and eventually finds himself at odds with Saul. Betrayal, exile, and eventual triumph shape his path to the throne.

Reception and Audience Response

Behind the scenes, the production team undertook extensive research in Israel, exploring landscapes, artefacts, and historical sites such as Jerusalem and the Valley of Elah. The film’s music, composed by Grammy-winner Jonas Myrin and recorded with the Budapest Film Orchestra, draws on Hebrew storytelling traditions.

Box office results for David have been impressive, with a domestic opening of $22 million and a worldwide total of $26 million. The film holds a 74% critics’ score and a 98% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, along with an ‘A’ grade from CinemaScore. With both The Housemaid and David now showing in cinemas, it remains to be seen which will maintain momentum as the festive season continues.