HEADS UP: THIS IS A SPOILER REVIEW!
Alright, then, let’s get into this! I’m here to share my thoughts on “The Unbreakable Boy“—a movie I couldn’t NOT see. As someone who lives with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (O.I.) and has even written my own book about my journey, I went into this movie with a pretty critical eye and some huge expectations. I wanted to see if it could authentically capture our real-life challenges and successes without falling into the usual traps. Spoiler alert: I really liked it!
Before I get into the deeper stuff, I have to say—this movie is a bit on the cheesy side. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s the kind of heartfelt, feel-good film that leans into emotional moments, uplifting messages, and plenty of lighthearted family scenes. And you know what? I didn’t mind it.
Maybe it’s because I’ve hit that stage in life where, just like a good plate of nachos, I can appreciate a little extra cheese in my movies. Or maybe it’s just my empathetic nature, but I don’t always need a film to be raw and edgy to connect with it. Sometimes, a simple, uplifting story does the job. So if you’re not into sentimental movies, you might roll your eyes at times—but for me, that wasn’t a dealbreaker.
Quick Disclaimer: Since I do not have autism and don’t have firsthand experience with it, I’m not going to speak on that aspect of the movie. My perspective in this review is coming strictly from someone who has osteogenesis imperfecta (O.I.) and understands what it’s like to live with a rare condition. I don’t want to assume or comment on experiences I haven’t lived, but I do encourage those in the autism community to share their thoughts on how the film portrayed that experience.
“The Unbreakable Boy ” Synopsis
“The Unbreakable Boy” is a 2025 American biographical drama directed by Jon Gunn, based on the book and true story of Austin LeRette. Austin, portrayed by Jacob Laval, is a young boy living with osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) and autism. Despite these challenges, his joyful and resilient spirit profoundly impacts his family—especially his father, Scott LeRette, played by Zachary Levi. [Wikipedia]
While Austin is the heart of the film, much of the story revolves around his father’s personal journey. We see Scott struggle with alcoholism, self-doubt, and the pressure of trying to be the best dad he can be. Through Austin’s #UNBREAKABLE optimism and love, Scott slowly begins to change, learning how to grow into a better man, husband, and father.
The film spotlights the family’s journey, highlighting themes of unconditional love, personal growth, and the power of positivity in the face of adversity. But this isn’t just a movie about disability—it’s a story about family, resilience, and how one person’s spirit can inspire the people around them to rise up and become better.
A Rich, Layered Story
Early on in the movie, and even though it was narrated by Austin, I settled into the fact that this was focusing on the dad’s story. And although Austin’s perspective is key and we do witness growth in his character, this movie is a deeper look into one family’s life, showing how each member handles their own battles. Here’s how I see it:
- Scott – The Dad:
His story centers on battling alcoholism while struggling to become a better man and a more supportive father. His journey isn’t polished or perfect—it’s raw and relatable, showing that real growth often comes through the toughest challenges, including the challenge of truly understanding what it means to be a parent—and not just any parent, but a good one. - Teresa – The Mom:
O.I. Fact: O.I. is a genetic disorder and can be passed down to children (stats land at 50%), and Austin was born with O.I. because mom has it! Dealing with her own lifelong challenges of living with O.I., she has carried a heavy load of pain and self-doubt. Watching her have major shifts in her mindset—to see herself as more than her limitations—was incredibly powerful. I definitely related to her story because my evolution is similar. - Austin:
As the narrator [more on this below], Austin takes us on a journey of growing up with both O.I. and autism. His experiences aren’t just about hardship—they’re about the grit it takes to keep pushing forward in a world that often misunderstands him. Again, a perspective I found to be extremely relatable. - Logan – The Brother:
While his screen time is limited, his moments of stepping up for Austin add another layer to the story. Even in brief appearances, his character hints at the silent struggles and personal growth that many in our community experience.
The Father’s Journey – Why He’s at the Center of the Story
A lot of people seem to be caught off guard by the fact that this movie is called “The Unbreakable Boy” but focuses so much on the father’s story. Some expected the entire film to be about Austin and his experiences with O.I. and autism. But here’s the thing: this movie is about how Austin changed his dad’s life. His dad’s transformation—his struggle with addiction, his personal growth, his realization of what truly matters—is all because of his son.
If the movie had been titled something like A Father’s Redemption, would anyone have rushed to see it? Probably not. But when you step back and see the bigger picture, Austin is the main character because he is the catalyst for everything. He is the reason his dad becomes a better man. That’s what makes this movie powerful—it’s not just about overcoming physical challenges, it’s about the impact one person can have on another.
Real Talk on Inspiration Porn
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: inspiration porn [I dislike this term so much!]. In the disability community, this term gets thrown around a lot, often to dismiss stories that seem to focus on the “wow, look at how brave they are” narrative. I’m thrilled to say that this movie sidesteps that pitfall entirely. Instead of reducing our experiences to mere eye candy for non-disabled audiences, it dives into the messy, real-life challenges and victories that define us. It’s not about using disability as a prop for cheap motivation—it’s about telling a true story from people who have lived it. By doing this, the movie avoids the tired clichés and also sparks a genuine conversation about what it means to live with O.I. and autism.
Why “The Unbreakable Boy” Hit Home for Me
Again, I was ready to nitpick. With my experiences of living with O.I. and having shared my own story in a book, I’ve seen plenty of media misrepresentations. But “The Unbreakable Boy” is different because it’s a true story told by a family who has actually lived through these experiences. Their story is real, without the “inspiration porn” angle that people are tired of. For me, the film wasn’t just a movie; it was a mirror reflecting some of the complexities of life with O.I., and it resonated because it was real. And that’s the thing—if this story had been fictionalized, then maybe there would be room for critique, for nitpicking the details, or for questioning the narrative. But when a movie is based on a real family’s lived experiences, who are we to judge how they choose to tell their story?
What “The Unbreakable Boy” Missed and Where It Could Have Been Better
Look, no movie is perfect. As much as I appreciated “The Unbreakable Boy”, there were definitely some things that felt like they were missing or could’ve been handled differently.
The Challenge of Adapting a True Story
Since the film is based on a book and a real family’s experience, there were bound to be gaps. I know this firsthand—when I wrote my book about living with O.I., I could only tell one part of my story. And even with that focus, there’s no way to capture everything, and if I had to condense my story into a two-hour movie, there would be some major holes. This film was no different. Certain moments felt like they needed more depth, but I get why—there’s only so much time to work with.
The Overly Drama Factor
When you’re turning a real story into a movie, you have to make it dramatic. That’s just how storytelling works. People want to see a hero’s journey—they want to watch someone hit rock bottom, struggle, find a mentor, and then come out the other side changed. And while this movie followed that formula, it sometimes felt like it pushed things to the extreme for drama’s sake. Did everything happen exactly the way it was portrayed? Maybe, maybe not. But the emotional highs and lows were there to make sure the audience felt something. And at the end of the day, that’s what movies are supposed to do.
The Perspective Issue – Who Should Have Told the Story?
One of the biggest things that stood out to me was the choice of narration. The movie was ultimately about the dad’s journey—his struggles, his redemption, his transformation. If that was the case, then it should have been told completely from his perspective. Instead, the film had Austin narrating the story, which felt like a missed opportunity.
Here’s the thing: as much as the father loves his son, he isn’t living in Austin’s shoes. He can only speculate on what Austin thinks and feels about having OI and autism. That’s not to say he doesn’t have insight, but at the end of the day, unless Austin told him exactly what he was feeling and experiencing in those moments, it’s still just his best guess. If the film had fully leaned into the father’s perspective—his raw, unfiltered experience of raising Austin—it might have felt even more authentic. Instead, using Austin as the narrator made it feel like the movie was trying to have it both ways: telling the dad’s story but framing it as if it were Austin’s.
The impact could have been stronger if they just owned the fact that this was the dad’s story and let him be the one to tell it. That way, we as an audience could have accepted it for what it was—a father’s journey of understanding his son—rather than feeling like we were being asked to believe we were getting Austin’s true inner thoughts and feelings, when in reality, we weren’t.
A Final Touch That Made It Even More Powerful (GOOD Spoiler)
Stay for the credits! One thing I really appreciated was the credits montage at the end. Most ‘True Story’ movies do this and I love it. It catches us up on where the real family members are now, which was such a great added touch. Seeing their real faces after watching their journey play out on screen made everything hit even harder. It’s one thing to watch a movie based on true events, but getting that confirmation at the end—the faces, the updates, the reality—just seals the deal. It reminds us that these aren’t just characters, they’re real people who lived through all of this. That extra moment of authenticity made the entire experience even more meaningful.
A Call to Our Community
At the end of the day, “The Unbreakable Boy” isn’t just about one family—it’s a call to action for our entire community. It shows that our stories matter, no matter how messy or complicated they may be. Or even how different the story might be from others who have similar experiences. And here’s the big point: it’s crucial that this movie does well.
In today’s entertainment landscape, every success opens doors. When a film like this gets a greenlight and attracts a strong audience, it sends a powerful message to studios and decision-makers that there’s a huge appetite for stories about O.I., autism, and real family dynamics around disabilities. We need this movie to pave the way so that future stories from our community can make it to the big screen and be told the way they deserve to be. If “The Unbreakable Boy” is successful, it increases the chances that one day, another movie—maybe even your story, my story, or someone else’s—gets told on this scale.
So, whether you’re part of our community or someone looking to understand our world a bit better, I encourage you to check this movie out. Keep an open mind, listen to the real stories, and remember: every experience is unique and important.
Let’s keep telling our stories, support narratives about disability, and push for more representation that truly reflects our lives.
Stay real, stay inspired, and always keep it #UNBREAKABLE.
