Autism is at the center of a new movie that’s opening in theaters across the country.

“Tyson’s Run,” which stars an actor with autism, will be on over 400 screens starting Friday.

The film finds 15-year-old Tyson, who’s on the spectrum, going to public school for the first time after being homeschooled. In an effort to win the approval of his father, who’s a football coach, the unathletic teen decides to run a marathon.

“‘Tyson’s Run’ is a film I felt compelled to make,” said Kim Bass, the movie’s writer and director. “We are using autism as a vehicle to explain that everyone is gifted, everyone is unique and everyone has to be given an opportunity to flourish and be the best person that he or she can be.”

The film stars Major Dodson, 18, who is on the spectrum himself and has previously appeared in “The Walking Dead” and “American Horror Story.”

“This is a very uplifting movie that shows the importance of family and coming together to achieve something great,” Dodson said. “I’m excited for people to see it.”

Read more stories like this one. Sign up for Disability Scoop's free email newsletter to get the latest developmental disability news sent straight to your inbox.