Set during World War II, Little Boy follows Pepper Flynt Busbee (Jakob Salvati), a small-statured 8-year-old boy living in a small California town. Pepper, nicknamed “Little Boy” due to his height, is deeply attached to his father, James (Michael Rapaport), who is his best friend and constant companion. When James is drafted into the war, Pepperβs world is shattered, and he becomes determined to bring his father back home.
Inspired by a sermon at church and a magician who shows him the power of belief, Pepper becomes convinced that his faith can move mountains and bring his father back. A local priest, Father Oliver (Tom Wilkinson), gives Pepper a list of tasks based on the Corporal Works of Mercy to strengthen his faith. These include feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick. One of the tasks challenges Pepper to befriend Hashimoto (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), a Japanese man ostracized by the town due to wartime prejudice.
As Pepper works through the list, he faces ridicule and bullying from his peers and townspeople. Despite this, his relationship with Hashimoto grows, teaching him valuable lessons about empathy, forgiveness, and the futility of hate. Pepperβs unwavering belief inspires the town but also exposes the harsh realities of war, prejudice, and the limits of faith.
Pepper’s faith is tested when news arrives that his father is missing in action and presumed dead. Devastated, Pepper struggles to hold on to hope. In a surprising twist, James survives and returns home, reuniting with Pepper. The film ends on a poignant note, emphasizing the transformative power of love, faith, and kindness in overcoming adversity.