Whether imagining flying among the clouds like a superhero while ascending on a swing or appreciating the “pure perfection” of a simple pleasure like a strawberry milkshake, Austin LaRette strives to make every day the best of his life. 

In the new based-on-a-true story faith-driven film The Unbreakable Boy, Jacob Laval portrays the 30-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska, when he was a young teenager growing up in Red Oak, Iowa, with his father Scott, mother Teresa and younger brother Logan. Even though he was diagnosed with brittle bone disease (Osteogenesis Imperfecta) — he has broken over 60 bones in his life — at a young age, and, later, autism, his carpe diem spirit remained resilient.

Zachary Levi of Shazam! fame headlines The Unbreakable Boy’s ensemble cast as Scott LaFrette. The 44-year-old actor depicts Scott as a flawed man struggling, yet yearning, to understand Austin and view life itself in a similar, beautiful way as his son. It is the love of family, the support of an imaginary friend named Joe and ultimately his faith in God that aids him during his journey of self-discovery.   

Kevin Downes, the co-founder and CEO of the Christian film and television studio Kingdom Story Company, said the script captivated Levi. 

“He was the first actor we shared the script with, and he fell in love with it,” said Downes, whose previous producing credits include Ordinary Angels (2024), Jesus Revolution (2023) and I Can Only Imagine (2018). “He goes, ‘this script is amazing, you guys, I’m totally in.’ He’s got a passion for special needs and mental health — he’s very vocal about it. Just a fan of movies, I think this is the best performance he ever gives.”

Downes also lauded the other ensemble cast members, including Meghann They as Teresa, Gavin Warren as Logan, Drew Powell as Joe and Patricia Heaton and Todd Terry as Scott’s mother and father. 

The producer, whose resume features nearly 40 acting credits, praised Laval’s “inspiring performance.” He said what the youth actor delivered on screen is a credit to the overall mission of Kingdom Story Company.

“First and foremost, we want to entertain you, but it’s about showcasing the power of the Gospel in these true-life stories in a way that makes you move emotionally and appreciate the life that God has given you.

“We weren’t sure we could make (this film),” added Downes. “And when we went through hundreds of audition tapes and when (casting director Jill Anthony Thomas) presented us with Jacob’s tape, we just were dumbfounded. We just didn’t think that somebody could do what this young man did. And we had to watch it many times just to analyze and go, ‘is this real? What is this?’ And he just turns in a performance that I’ve never seen before. And so, I’m proud of him.”

The Unbreakable Boy’s theatrical debut is on Feb. 21. It’s a long wait considering filming took place back in late 2020, but COVID-19 concerns kept the film out of theatres throughout 2021 and early 2022, and eventually it was decided to release the film this month.