Angel Studios, which previously released 2023’s Sound of Freedom, announced in 2025 that they were producing a George Washington biopic. To direct, the studio hired Jon Erwin, who, alongside his brother Andrew, found success with 2018’s I Can Only Imagine. For the title role, the studio cast newcomer William Franklyn-Miller, whose only other credit was in 2025’s Dongji Rescue. The rest of the cast included veterans like Sir Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, Kelsey Grammer, and Mary-Louise Parker. With a $25 million budget, principal photography started in late August 2025 in Ireland and wrapped in February 2026. The film gained controversy when director Jon Erwin announced he had used generative AI for close to 100 shots. Despite this, early ticket sales were strong enough that some people believed it would have a strong opening. After premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival, Young Washington hit theaters on July 3, 2026.
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Synopsis
36 years before becoming the first President of the United States, George Washington (William Franklyn-Miller) was an ambitious young man. However, due to his colonial background and lack of formal education, he’s denied commission into the British Army. Instead, thanks to a recommendation from his half-brother, Lawrence (John Foss), George is recruited to the Virginia Militia. While on a mission to survey the Ohio territories, he comes across a French fortress that shouldn’t be there. Upon his return, Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddle (Ben Kingsley) has Washington lead the Virginia Regiment to force the French out. Unfortunately, things escalate quickly, leading to hundreds of good men dying and Washington surrendering, which starts the French-Indian War. Though demoralized and rankless, his mother, Mary Ball (Mary-Louise Parker), inspires him to learn from his mistakes and persevere. Young Washington must overcome innumerable odds to prove that some things are worth fighting for.
Review
Compared to the last Angel Studios movie I saw, Young Washington isn’t much better, but it’s ok. If you’re looking for something insightful that goes in-depth on George Washington’s upbringing, you’re going to be disappointed. This movie is the equivalent of a history textbook you’d have to read in high school history class. It gives you the essentials but offers little beyond surface-level information that everyone else already knows. It doesn’t help that the camera work and lighting are so standard that it feels like any other historical biopic. The film tries to deepen Washington’s story with subplots, including a hidden romance and family drama, but they don’t go anywhere. While its heart is in the right place, the movie never rises above a History Channel documentary. You’ll get all the historical context, but nothing will resonate with you the same way a narrative film does.
To his credit, newcomer William Franklyn-Miller shows plenty of promise, showing tons of dedication in the title role. Even though the material doesn’t offer much for him to work off of, he’s clearly trying his best. For as bland and middle-of-the-road as the movie is, his performance elevates what would otherwise be a forgettable film. The rest of the cast do a respectable job, but you can tell they’re just going through the motions. Kelsey Grammer and Andy Serkis try to make the most of their screen time, while Ben Kingsley is just ok. Mary-Louise Parker is meant to provide emotional support and motivate our hero, but she doesn’t do much else. Again, none of the performances are outright awful, but everyone is just ok to the point of being forgettable. Aside from the lead, no other actor leaves a lasting impression long after the viewing.
To address the elephant in the room, this film unfortunately uses a fair amount of generative AI. Granted, unless you’re really paying attention, you’ll probably miss it, but there are moments where it’s distracting. Usually, background characters will look distorted and unnatural, or certain elements seem out of place. While I see value in AI as an admin tool, its use here signals potential future dangers for future films. The battle sequences, like everything else, are fine, but don’t expect anything on par with Saving Private Ryan. Even at just over two hours, the pacing drags, making it feel longer than it really is. I could see history teachers showing this in class, but if it were me, I’d probably show something more exciting. Overall, Young Washington certainly has good intentions, but its dull story, substandard acting, and lack of anything memorable hinder it.
Young Washington is in theaters.
Where to watch Young Washington (2026)
