Chris Tomlin's daughter Ashlyn is making her feature-film debut in The One, a Christmas drama arriving in theaters nationwide on November 5. For the Tomlin family, her role connects to a cause close to home: supporting children and young adults affected by the foster-care system.
The film follows Hawk, an 18-year-old who ages out of foster care in Chicago and sets out to see the lighting of a Christmas tree known as the One. With only his guitar, he faces the prospect of homelessness and a winter on his own. His journey changes when he meets Jefferson, a mysterious traveler, and Alexis, a runaway grieving the death of her twin sister.
Ashlyn joins a cast led by Martin Sheen, Jana Kramer, Olivia Sanabia and Nick Zano. The film also introduces Indigenous musician and actor Noah Redclay. Lisa Arnold directed the drama, which Hawk Hill Pictures has acquired for a theatrical release during National Homeless Youth Awareness Month.
Chris and Lauren Tomlin said they are proud to see their daughter take part in a story that draws attention to children who need care and connection. The couple founded For Others, a nonprofit focused on supporting children and families involved in the child-welfare system. The organization has partnered with the filmmakers and plans to launch a platform alongside the release to help people find foster-care organizations and opportunities to get involved in their states.
That partnership gives the film's message a practical question: after audiences leave the theater, what might they do for a young person in their own community? The One explores that question through Hawk's search for safety and belonging, while also addressing grief, mental health and faith.
Music is part of the story, too. The soundtrack features original songs including "Are You Here," written and performed by We The Kings, and "Christmastime Again" by The Imaginaries. For a film about a teenager traveling with little more than his guitar, those songs offer another way into its themes of hope and connection.
The One opens in theaters nationwide on November 5, 2026. More information is available at watchtheone.com.
