How THE UNBREAKABLE BOY Transformed This Influencer’s Outlook on Life

Published: February 26, 2025

How THE UNBREAKABLE BOY Transformed This Influencer’s Outlook on Life

By Movieguide® Contributor

Author and podcaster Carlos Whittaker put on his movie critic hat, explaining how watching THE UNBREAKABLE BOY filled him with immense hope and him feel like he could conquer the world.

“Film critic Carlos here saying that I just watched a film that I didn’t get to critique. Why? Because it critiqued me,” Whittaker said. “What do I mean by that? You know I’m all about seeing people that are nothing like me, and UNBREAKABLE BOY lets me do just that. In UNBREAKABLE BOY, which is a true story, it tells the story of Austin, this young boy with autism. And it not only tells his story but his family’s story.”

“And when I tell you the hope that rose up inside of my chest, the breath that was given to me, breathed into me when I watched this film,” Whittaker continued. “You know that I love to cry on the internet. You know that I love to cry at movies. This one is a feel good cry. You’re gonna finish this movie, and you’re gonna feel like you can conquer the world because that’s exactly what Austin does. But Austin doesn’t only do that, Austin even allows those that don’t see the world like him to feel like they can conquer the world too.”

Produced by Kingdom Story Company and starring Jacob Laval, Zachary Levi, Patricia Heaton and Peter Facinelli, everyone involved in THE UNBREAKABLE BOY was set on sharing that hope with audiences. The movie also shines a light on autism and the fact that those with special needs can have a profound impact on their friends and family A portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:

THE UNBREAKABLE BOY is a heartwarming true story with a wonderful script and excellent performances. The movie has a strong Christian, uplifting worldview. It stresses family, kindness, faith, forgiveness, prayer, attending church, and redemption. However, there are many scenes involving alcohol abuse because the father struggles with stress and alcohol. UNBREAKABLE BOY also has some light foul language and a brief violent scene. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for older children.

“I want people to walk away from this feeling inspired, feeling hopeful, recognizing that the life that you’re given is not broken,” Levi told Movieguide®, “that it has purpose and there is redemption.”

“The story is wonderful and it’s a true story,” Heaton explained. “And it’s a story about a struggle that many families experience today — a child on the spectrum or even just if your kid has learning differences.”

“You see a story where the struggles are not sugarcoated, but it’s hopeful and redemptive at the end,” she added.

THE UNBREAKABLE BOY is in theaters now.