What makes a person different, and who is considered normal? The 2025 film The Unbreakable Boy, directed by Jon Gunn, is a complex film to dive into, as it attempts to expand mainstream representation of autism and disability. Based on a true story, the film follows the life of a young boy named Austin LeRette (played by Jacob Laval) who has autism and osteogenesis imperfecta which is also known as brittle bone disease.
It centers around Austin's day-to-day life, blending diverse moments filled with sentiment with the people around him, specifically his dad, allowing people to see life through his eyes. The biggest contribution to representation is the choice to have a lead character whose life is rarely dramatized on screen. Austin's combined physical and mental disability calls into question the film narrative that favors "normal" labels, encouraging viewers to question what constitutes being "normal" in their minds.
Austin is an inspiration, the light of people's lives, simply changing someone's day with a smile. Austin’s close relationship with his father Scott (played by Zachary Levi), anchors the film, revealing how care, frustration, and love coexist in navigating disability and parenthood. Thematically, this circles back to the idea that the differences in the world are things to be celebrated and allowed, not something to be feared or fixed. This overall uplifting tone is further reflected in the technical design of the film. The sound and color of the film work to immerse the audience in Austin’s sensory world, using heightened audio cues and warm, saturated visuals. However, some heightened sound cues cut through to reflect Austin's sensory world and hint at the overstimulation most autistic people face. Throughout the film, Austin constantly rotates between hats which becomes a visual marker of his identity, signaling his desire for control, self-expression, and emotional regulation within an often unpredictable world. This tender detail adds personality and familiarity, particularly for viewers who recognize similar forms of imaginative self-expression.
When Scott and Teresa LeRette learn that their son Austin is both autistic and has brittle bone disease, they initially worry for their son’s future. But with Scott’s growing faith and Austin’s incredible spirit, they become 'unbreakable', finding joy, gratitude, and courage even in the most trying times.
There were too many irrelevant parts that could have been shortened, and too many characters that didn't advance the plot. Either way, some things didn't add up. This was just another played out plot with little, if any, originality in it. By the end of the film, I wasn't happy that she finally got her freedom, I was happy that it was finally over.
‘Better Than Chocolate’ isn’t perfect, but it sure has charm! The characters are great. Some took longer to grow on me than others, but ultimately they’re all compelling! I appreciate how a select few help those around them to grow.
The new Scooby Doo movie that will give viewers the frightening adventure of their lives.
In Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It (1986), we follow the love life of powerful female protagonist Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns) and explore the relationship dynamics she has with her partners. She sees three men simultaneously: Greer Childs, (John Canada Terrell) Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee), and Jamie Overstreet (Tommy Redmond Hicks). Though an 80’s film, She’s Gotta Have It is surprisingly progressive with its themes of female sexuality, although at some points in the film it is handled clumsily. Overall Nola is an incredibly compelling character especially for modern women, as we as a society acknowledge female sensuality more and more without the negative stigma.
A spoiler-free review of 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,' highlighting the way the modern setting and current social climate once again influence Johnson's approach to the whodunit narrative.
2025 has just about wrapped, so we’re taking this time to celebrate the most inclusive films that came out this year. Graded on Gender, Race, LGBTQ, Disability, and more
