Austin is a talkative, jubilant 13-year-old boy whose exuberance for life cannot be measured, much less contained.
Every milkshake is the "best ever." So is every sunrise and every sunset. His interests span the gamut: superheroes and colorful hats, and his favorite pet, a lizard. Each day, his mission is simple: make someone smile. And if they don't? That's OK. He'll be kind to them anyway.
In many ways, Austin is like most kids his age. But in other ways, he's a lot different. For starters, his outlook on life is more optimistic than his peers. (He loves -- loves -- school lunches.) Then, there are his developmental and genetic conditions.
Austin was born with a rare combination of brittle bone disease and autism.
By the time he turned 5, he had endured twelve broken bones.
His parents are determined to include him in all the activities other kids enjoy -- playing outside, hiking, going to school, and more.
Yet, with every step forward, new challenges arise. One day, he's bullied. Another day, he struggles with an uncontrollable outburst. And then there's Austin's father, Scott, who masks his own struggles behind alcohol.
Will Austin's family ever find peace?
The new faith-based movie The Unbreakable Boy (PG) follows the story of Austin and his family. It stars Jacob Laval as Austin (AuzMan), Zachary Levi as his father, Scott, and Meghann Fahy as his mother, Teresa. Patricia Heaton portrays Scott's mom. Jon Gunn (The Case for Christ, House of David, Ordinary Angels) directed it.
Here are three reasons families will enjoy it.
Warning: spoilers ahead
Photo Credit: ©Kingdom Story
1. It's from a Studio with a Streak of Hits
1. It's from a Studio with a Streak of Hits
The studio behind The Unbreakable Boy, Kingdom Story, is the same one that released The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, White Bird, Unsung Hero, and Ordinary Angels -- all last year. In 2023, Kingdom Story knocked it out of the park with Jesus Revolution. Four of those five films earned an A+ CinemaScore from moviegoers. The only one that didn't, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, earned a solid A -- and arguably was the best of the bunch. Of course, Kingdom Story is perhaps best known for its breakout box office hit, I Can Only Imagine.
The Unbreakable Boy is based on a true story and a book of the same name by the real-life father, Scott LeRette. The movie originally was scheduled for a March 2022 release but was pulled due to a nationwide COVID outbreak that marred box office attendance, Kingdom Story CEO Kevin Downes said.
It is being released at the "perfect time, with what our society, communities around the country, are going through," he said, referencing a string of tragedies, including the California wildfires.
"We need examples of resilience, we need examples of bravery, of people taking risks to be able to come together, to bring people together, neighbors together, families together -- and give them encouragement that everything's going to be OK in their life," Downes told Crosswalk Headlines.
Photo Credit: ©Kingdom Story
2. It Celebrates Unconditional Love
2. It Celebrates Unconditional Love
The film opens with Scott and Teresa meeting for the first time at a clothing store and then going on a handful of dates before Teresa discovers she is pregnant. (We only see them kiss in public.) The two move in together and eventually get married, yet quickly face hardship when they learn Austin was born with brittle bone disease and easily fractures with the slightest of bumps. Although Teresa, too, has the condition, they quickly realize that Austin's energetic temperament -- normal for a child -- makes him more difficult to manage. They pad their furniture with pillows. They ban Austin from running and jumping. Their challenges escalate when Austin is diagnosed with autism. Eventually, they have another child, Logan.
Meanwhile, Scott is grappling with his own challenges due to a work layoff as he grows distant from Austin and wrestles with frustration over his life's direction. His desire for Austin to be someone he's not only deepens the divide between them. Scott's addiction to alcohol further strains the family dynamic.
Facing financial hardship and daily stress, Scott and Teresa often argue. They cast blame on the other. Their conflict culminates when Teresa boots him from the house after he takes the children to a New Year's Eve party and subsequently drives them home drunk.
Yet, through it all, this resilient family perseveres. They grow closer and, ultimately, reconcile.
Scott and Teresa display the unconditional love every child needs, especially those with unique medical conditions. They comfort him when they're exhausted. They encourage him when he struggles. They visit doctor after doctor, determined to give him the help he needs. (At one point in the film, they learn that Austin's medication was contributing to his out-of-control behavior.)
At the same time, Scott's family and friends offer him a second chance and support his recovery at Alcoholics Anonymous. He stays sober for one day, then another. Pretty soon, he's gone two months without a drink. ("Yes, he messed up, but he's trying," Teresa's sister tells her.)
"It turns out he wasn't broken at all," Scott says. "He didn't need me to fix him. I needed him to fix me."
Photo Credit: ©Kingdom Story
3. It Showcases the Power of Unbridled Joy and Kindness
3. It Showcases the Power of Unbridled Joy and Kindness
Young children often have the joy that Austin exudes. Few of us, though, maintain it through life the way he does. He enters the school each day, thrilled about what he will learn. He walks through the lunchroom, excited about the day's selection. He delights in the things most of us take for granted: trips and hikes and even dance parties with his mom.
In a sense, he views the world the way God wants us to view it, with appreciation, wonder, and awe.
Austin's unbridled joy is matched only by his kindness. This is best illustrated late in the film when his brother gets into a fight with the school bully, Tyler, and asks Austin in a frustrated tone, "Why do you even want to be friends with him?" Austin's answer is straight from God's heart. He wants to be friends with Tyler because, well, Tyler is sad.
"His dad's been in jail for a really, really long time, and his mother's sick," Austin responds. "So I think he's sad, and it makes me sad."
The Unbreakable Boy is not without its speed bumps for families, especially those with young children. It contains mild language (details below) along with a few thematic elements (Scott and Teresa live together before marriage; her hospital delivery of Austin is quite realistic; their arguing over Scott's alcoholism and their finances adds major tension.)
The film's lessons for viewers, though, shine through. Its pro-life message is implied but, nevertheless, powerful. (Teresa gives birth to Austin, knowing she may inherit her genetic defect.) It promotes kindness, second chances, love, and reconciliation. It highlights faith, too. We see them in church. We watch as their pastor offers words of encouragement. At Scott's first AA meeting, we hear the story of Christ.
No doubt, members of the autistic community will find the film's message deeply meaningful.
In a world filled with despair, The Unbreakable Boy offers a message of hope.
Rated PG for strong thematic material, alcohol abuse, language, and some violence. Language details: OMG (5), a--hole (1), d--n (1), retarded (5 -- quickly in sequence).
Discussion questions: Austin finds joy in simple things; why don't we? Austin is always kind, even to people who aren't kind to him; how does that reflect the kindness of Christ? Scott struggles with feeling like he needs to "fix" Austin -- why is he wrong?
Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Family-friendly rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Photo Credit: ©Kingdom Story
Originally published February 21, 2025.
