What to know:
- With over $10,000 in trading volume, the Kalshi market forecasts a Rotten Tomatoes score between 58.1 and 67.8.
- While the director Jon Gunn’s latest film, Ordinary Angels, received a strong 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, his earlier films have had more mixed or poor scores.
- Concerns over autism representation and lead actor Zachary Levi’s past controversial statements may influence how critics perceive the film.
The Unbreakable Boy is the latest family film to come from the independent film studio Kingdom Story Company, which specializes in Christian films. The movie will be arriving in U.S. theaters on Feb. 21, 2025.
With over $15,000 in trading volume and active since the end of January, the top prediction market Kalshi has users betting on the film’s Rotten Tomatoes score. The lowest forecasted score was 58.1 and the highest was 67.8.
Before betting on Rotten Tomatoes scores, here’s what you need to know about The Unbreakable Boy.
What is ‘The Unbreakable Boy’?
The Unbreakable Boy is a film based on the book, Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, a Son’s Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love by Scott Michael LeRette and Susy Flory. The book and film are based on a true story.
When his parents, Scott (Zachary Levi) and Teresa (Meghann Fahy), learn that 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 — an extraordinary true story about a father and son learning together that every day can be the best day of your life!
The film is directed and written by Jon Gunn. The cast features Zachary Levi, Meghann Fahy, Jacob Laval, Drew Powell, and Patricia Heaton.
The movie was announced, filmed, and wrapped in late 2020. It was supposed to be released on March 18, 2022, but was pulled off the schedule right before its release date for unknown reasons. Close to two years later, on Jan. 24, 2024, the film’s release date was announced for Feb. 21, 2025.
Critical reception of Kingdom Story Company movies
Faith-related films can sometimes be harder to sell to audiences and critics. Let’s take a look at how past Kingdom Story Company films fared on Rotten Tomatoes.
Movie | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
I Still Believe (2020) | 50% |
The Jesus Music (2021) | 67% |
American Underdog (2021) | 75% |
Jesus Revolution (2023) | 55% |
Ordinary Angels (2024) | 84% |
Unsung Hero (2024) | 61% |
White Bird (2024) | 75% |
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024) | 92% |
To clarify, not all Kingdom Story Company films are faith-based films. Some of them have an underlying storyline about faith or are just family movies.
Most of the studio’s past films performed relatively well and received a Fresh score, with only two of them receiving a Rotten score. However, two of the films are not far from a Rotten score.
This film’s director Gunn directed Ordinary Angels and he wrote I Still Believe, American Underdog, and Jesus Revolution. He’s also directed four other films –
- Mercy Streets (2000) – 13%
- My Date With Drew (2005) – 71%
- Do You Believe? (2015) – 26%
- The Case for Christ (2017) – 63%
Unfortunately, his directing record is not particularly strong. Two out of his five films have abysmal Rotten scores, and The Case for Christ is not far from having a Rotten score. Most of these films are faith-related films.
However, his most recent film Ordinary Angels has an impressive 84%. This may be an indication that he has improved.
Controversy surrounding ‘The Unbreakable Boy’
As previously mentioned, the film follows the true story of a child with autism and brittle bone disease. Films depicting autism are closely watched by many communities for how accurately they portray the experience.
Unfortunately, there have been criticisms about how The Unbreakable Boy portrays autism. This can detract from the experience and affect the critical reception of the film.
I am so tired of depictions of autism like The Unbreakable Boy.
— Natepalm Death (@NateBenderama) December 28, 2024
Moreover, the film’s main lead, Levi has made controversial comments in the past. After the tragic passing of actor Gavin Creel from cancer, Levi went on an Instagram Live where he claimed Creel’s death due to cancer was a result of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Levi’s former co-star Laura Benanti publicly criticized Levi’s statements, saying, “To use his memory for his political agenda and to watch him try to make himself cry until he had one single tear, which he did not wipe away, I was like, F*** you forever.”
These controversies may taint critics’ perceptions and lead to a lower critical score.
With The Unbreakable Boy finally set to hit theaters after a long delay, there are many factors at play in determining how it will be received. As reviews start rolling in, it will be interesting to see whether the film can defy the odds — or be unbreakable.
