Around Thanksgiving, I saw a trailer for The Unbreakable Boy that resonated with me, not because it looked good, but because it was about autism. As someone who has lived with it his whole life, I felt the need to see it. Some movies revolving around the topic of autism set out to inspire, tug at heartstrings, and remind us of the resilience of the human spirit. The Unbreakable Boy, directed by Jon Gunn and based on a true story, attempts to do all those things. Featuring a touching narrative and a heartfelt central performance, the film succeeds in delivering an uplifting message, but its uneven execution and occasional tonal inconsistencies keep it from reaching its full potential.

At the heart of The Unbreakable Boy is Austin LeRette (played by Jacob Laval), a young boy with rare brittle bone disease and autism. Despite these challenges, Austin exudes a relentless optimism and joy that profoundly impacts those around him. His father, Scott (Zachary Levi), is a loving yet flawed man, struggling to navigate his own personal demons while ensuring his son gets the best life possible. The film explores their relationship, trials, and how Austin’s indomitable spirit influences those in his orbit. The story is based on Scott LeRette’s memoir, The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, a Son’s Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love. The adaptation, also by Gunn, stays true to the book’s themes, emphasizing faith, perseverance, and the power of love.

The Unbreakable Boy was made by Kingdom Story Company, a branch that focuses on Christian films. In today’s cinema landscape, nobody looks twice at faith-based movies for whatever reasons, myself included. However, The Unbreakable Boy seemed different as it wasn’t advertised or set out to be a piece of Christian propaganda like the God’s Not Dead movies or I Can Only Imagine. There was also the appeal of Levi, who is likely the most prominent actor to star in a film made by Kingdom Story. Before The Unbreakable Boy, he was in Kingdom Story’s 2021 American Underdog about NFL quarterback Kurt Warner. Levi, best known for his charismatic roles in Shazam! and TV’s Chuck, looks to bring something different than what we’re used to seeing him do. His performance won’t take his career to new heights, but it was decent enough to remind audiences that he’s not a cringeworthy actor.

Additionally, the film does a commendable job of capturing the highs and lows of parenting a child with special needs. There are touching moments of connection, frustration, and personal growth that feel authentic. It’s in these smaller, intimate moments that the film truly shines. While the emotional beats land well, The Unbreakable Boy has inconsistent pacing. The movie starts strong, drawing viewers into Austin’s world with engaging character moments, but it occasionally loses momentum with meandering subplots and unnecessary scenes that dilute its impact. Sometimes, it feels like the film is unsure whether it wants to be a heartfelt family drama, a faith-based movie, or an inspirational biopic, resulting in tonal shifts that can be jarring.

The script also leans heavily on sentimentality, which, while effective in small doses, occasionally feels forced. Some of the inspirational dialogue comes across as overly polished and scripted. This can make certain moments feel emotionally manipulative rather than genuinely moving. Additionally, while the film highlights Austin’s unique perspective and joy for life, it sometimes frames him more as an inspirational figure for others rather than giving him his own personal arc. More exploration of Austin’s challenges and growth would have made for a more well-rounded portrayal.

For those seeking a heartwarming, faith-driven family drama, The Unbreakable Boy offers enough moments of sincerity and joy to be a satisfying experience. However, the film may feel underwhelming for audiences looking for a more nuanced and tightly crafted narrative. It’s a good—not great—film with its heart in the right place, but it doesn’t quite manage to break through to something exceptional.

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