MOVIE NEWS – In a recent interview with MovieWeb, Patricia Heaton made it clear that faith is the cornerstone of both her personal life and career. “My faith has always played a prominent role in my life. It’s the center of who I am, my relationship with God.” This belief is reflected in The Unbreakable Boy, a film that isn’t overtly about faith but explores its role in a family’s struggles against life’s many challenges.

When it came to accepting the role of Mother Superior in the upcoming horror film The Ritual, Heaton admitted that faith was part of her decision—but so was one particular name in the cast:

“When I heard that Al Pacino was doing this movie, I didn’t even ask what the script was. ‘Yes, I’ll do it.’ It’s right up my alley as a Catholic. It’s about an exorcism, and it’s also a true story…”

So what was it like working with Pacino? “Al Pacino is the loveliest man—kind, humble, and one of the greatest actors in history. It was truly an honor to share scenes with him.” However, what truly shocked Heaton was how eerily connected she was to the story, as she shared an uncanny coincidence:

“I called my sister and said, ‘Hey, I’m doing this movie about an exorcism that happened in Wisconsin, in 1928, I think.’ And she goes, ‘Was the exorcist named Father Theophilus?’ And I said, ‘Yes, how did you know that?’ She goes, ‘Because I’m staring at a book he wrote about the exorcism he performed.’ She just happened to have it on her bookshelf. That was insane. And to make things even weirder, one of my good friends in Nashville happens to be the diocesan exorcist for the entire area.”

It’s safe to say that Heaton isn’t just portraying a role in The Ritual—she has a personal connection to its story. “As a Catholic, these are the bells and whistles we get that Protestants don’t seem interested in. They don’t know what they’re missing. It’s fabulous. Listen, just as God is real, evil is real too.”

For Heaton, starring in The Unbreakable Boy is also part of her broader worldview. In the film, she plays the grandmother of Austin (Jacob Laval), a boy battling both a rare brittle-bone disease and autism. His father, played by Zachary Levi, struggles with his own personal demons as the story unfolds. To Heaton, the film reflects something deeply relevant in today’s world:

“I think we’re at a point in the country where people are searching for something they can depend on, no matter what happens. The only answer to that is God. He’s with us, He’s for us, He loves us, and He allows things to happen in our lives to reveal who He is. These moments make us stronger, show us who our true family and friends are, and remind us that community and family are gifts from God.”

Lionsgate will release The Unbreakable Boy on February 21, from Kingdom Story Company and The WONDER Project.

Source: MovieWeb