Finding Hope in 'The One': A Conversation with Director Lisa Arnold

'The One' Director Lisa Arnold | Photo image courtesy Nick Arnold, IMDB
Over the years, award-winning movie director Lisa Arnold has sought to blend compelling entertainment with faith, family values, and a positive social or spiritual message. Her goal is not simply to make movies, but to create films that leave audiences encouraged, inspired, and challenged to make a positive difference.

Her latest movie project is no different.

With more than 20 years' experience in film, television, and stage, the Louisiana native brings a moving story of hope, faith, and self-discovery to the big screen with her new film, The One, opening in theaters nationwide on November 5th.

Starring Martin Sheen (The Way, The West Wing), Jana Kramer (One Tree Hill), Olivia Sanabia (Homestead: The Series), and newcomer Noah Redclay, the film follows Hawk (Redclay), a Native American former foster youth who travels to Enid, Oklahoma, for the lighting of the world’s tallest Christmas tree. Along the way, he forms meaningful connections with the local community and Alexis (Sanabia), a runaway teen, while navigating PTSD, anxiety, and questions of faith.

I recently sat down with Arnold to discuss the inspiration behind The One and the powerful message of connection, healing, and belonging at the heart of the film.

Lisa, congratulations on The One! For those who haven’t seen the film yet, how would you describe the story?

Everybody's going to say The One is a Christmas film, but it's so much more than that. The One tells this beautiful story, with these two leading characters that are played by Olivia Sunabia and Noah Redclay. Their story just kind of intertwines. It's two teenagers trying to find their way. One comes from a loving family, a family with influence, a family that seems to have everything that they need, as the world would see it. And then you have this young man, played by Noah, who lost his mother tragically when he was an infant, and then grew up in foster care, never had a real family, and is still looking for the one family.

But yet, Noah has the love of (Jesus) Christ, and always sees hope in everything. Meanwhile, Olivia's character has somewhat lost that hope. And it's beautiful to see their two stories intertwine, and how this family that had no idea of this young man really comes to his rescue as well. He rescues them too and brings them back to a place of hope and love.

What first drew you to this story about a young Native American man and former foster youth who travels to Oklahoma, for the lighting of the world’s tallest Christmas tree?

Parts of it are based on a true story, which is always very interesting to me. Secondly, I think the impact that it has on telling a young man's journey through foster care, and how that might educate and change people's perspective and help them open up their hearts about it, was very compelling to me. Sometimes when a family has the financial means, people think they have it all together. And getting real and raw, and showing that this family was very dysfunctional and was really struggling, speaks to a lot of people at this time and can really bring healing to many families that might see this, and speak a lot to the teenagers that might see this as well.

The title The One is intriguing and open to interpretation. What does it mean to you, and how does its meaning unfold throughout the film?

For the creator, who is one of our producers of the film, it is the Christ-like figure of the Lord Jesus. For our audience, I feel like it's going to have many meanings. It will have that Biblical meaning, but will also be the one family, and the one love. There are so many different ways that you can look at this that will resonate. I love Martin Sheen's character in this, and I can't wait for audiences to see his portrayal of his character, because it's been very mixed. I don't want to give away too much, but some people feel like he's an angelic figure and others have another opinion. I love hearing all the conversation about it, but it is one of those stories that really resonates with the love of Christ, particularly at Christmas time. It ties in miracles, it ties in all the things that we love to embrace this time of year.

At its heart, this is a Christmas story, but it also explores some very difficult and deeply personal struggles. Why was this the right story for you to tell at this moment?

I applaud what (screenwriter) Erin Cook has done with this script because many of these faith-based projects tend to shy away from some of the heavier struggles particularly that our teens face today. So, she takes on a lot of those issues. We have a girl that's assaulted in the film. We have the introduction of substance abuse in this as well. And we have foster care. So there are deeper, heavier tones to this movie, but yet it's all wrapped up in the love of Christ. And particularly with Martin's character, you see a beautiful story that really unfolds the love of Christ in so many ways, without even quoting Scripture. It's just so beautiful and organic.

Speaking of Martin Sheen, he has portrayed many memorable characters across a long and storied career. What was it like directing him, and what did his experience bring to the film?

First, let me just say that Martin Sheen is the kindest, most loving human being you'll ever meet on the planet. We stayed at the same hotel when we were making this film, and every morning, he would get up early and go downstairs early so that people could meet him and have coffee with him. He signed his script with his notes over to the ladies at the hotel’s reception desk. He is that person. He's always so kind and loving. To direct him, to work with him, he brings so much to every character. It was a beautiful collaboration. He had amazing ideas. There's one scene where he sings this beautiful old hymn. And he said, Lisa, would you mind if while I've got all these lines I have to do, can I hum this hymn or sing this hymn? I was like, “Martin, let's try it. That sounds beautiful.” And it makes the most incredible moment. So, when you get Martin Sheen on set, you're going to just get brilliance and beauty. He is so open to working with others. He's a wonderful collaborator. Such a complete joy.

Changing gears, The One carries a sense of significance and possibility. What does it represent within the film, and what do you hope audiences discover about its meaning as the story unfolds?

Our main character, Hawk, sees everything as a journey and life is a journey. It's a journey with all these ebbs and flows, with beautiful moments and hardship, and regardless of who you are, you're going to walk through all of those emotions in this film, much like “It's a Wonderful Life”. I think it was the first drama that was a Christmas film. And it really took us on a deep journey and asked hard questions. This one kind of does that same thing, not to compare it to that classic masterpiece, but there's just not a lot of Christmas dramas. Most of them are these heartfelt, really light comedies. I love that this one gets to the heart of every emotion that we go through, everything that we experience in life. And it doesn't shy away from it, but yet it takes us to the other side. It takes us to the place of hope, the place of restoration, and of love.

Christmas films often emphasize miracles and second chances. How does The One explore the idea that sometimes the most meaningful miracles come through ordinary people choosing to show up for one another?

That is such a great point because you're talking about two characters that didn't know each other existed but yet bonded. And then this family that had no idea about Hawk, and just really out of nowhere, shows him love and compassion. Martin Sheen's character seems to be always there when you need him. Each of us can make a huge impact on each other's lives, and it's that vulnerability and that willingness to show other people the love of Christ, is what makes humanity so beautiful. This film really demonstrates it in the most beautiful way.

The One is opening nationwide during National Homeless Youth Awareness Month and you are partnering with an organization called For Others. How do you hope the film will inspire audiences?

Especially right at this time of year, when everybody's thinking about being with family for Thanksgiving and for Christmas, and you think there are some who have no home and have no family. They need to be on our heart at that time. They need to be on our heart all the time, but especially at this time. And so, I think it's a very poetic moment for this film to come out, for its influence to take hold, and for people to really look deeper into fostering. Just being that person who stops and helps those that we don't know.

After audiences have had a chance to see The One, what would you like people to take away from their viewing experience? What is your greatest hope for the film?

I hope that it encourages people to step out in kindness. That would be the greatest movement. If it can encourage you to just step out in kindness, to recognize the needs of people around you, and to act, not just see it, but to respond and act on it. Wouldn't that be a beautiful thing?

For more information National Homeless Youth Awareness Month please visit For Others.

WATCH A TRAILER FOR THE ONE: