Brandon Lessard is living out a childhood dream. In The Unholy Trinity, hitting theaters June 13, he stars as Henry Broadway — a young man grappling with vengeance, identity, and legacy in a gritty Western adventure alongside screen legends Samuel L. Jackson and Pierce Brosnan. Brandon joined Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to reflect on the film’s long journey to release, the personal stakes behind his role, and what audiences can expect from this modern frontier epic.
A Dream Years in the Making
"I first read the script back in 2018," Brandon revealed. "It was shortly after my first film, Broken Ghost. I was obsessed with it and knew I wanted to be part of it."
Years later, thanks in part to a SAG-AFTRA waiver during the strike, the film was finally made — with a powerhouse cast and a director Brandon knew well. “It was a perfect storm. I'm just so grateful to be caught in the middle of it.”
Channeling Henry Broadway’s Journey
In The Unholy Trinity, Henry is tasked with avenging his father’s death — a role that forced Brandon to explore weighty themes of identity, morality, and growing up too fast.
“He's not a violent person, but he’s asked to do something that’s completely against his nature,” Brandon explained. “I related to his journey — that rejection of passivity, that need to choose your own path.”
As the story progresses, Henry evolves from a timid young man into someone hardened by the frontier. “He becomes a frontiersman. His costume even changes — he starts out like a newspaper boy, and by the end, he’s wearing a cowboy hat and covered in bruises. That physical transformation mirrors the emotional one.”
Working with Legends: Jackson and Brosnan
Sharing the screen with Samuel L. Jackson and Pierce Brosnan was a surreal experience for Brandon, who grew up watching their films.
“They're so grounded, so present,” he said. “Acting with them felt effortless. You’re not performing — you're just there with them. I learned so much just by observing how they work.”
The Push and Pull of Power
Much of the film’s tension comes from Henry being torn between two larger-than-life figures: Sheriff Dove (Brosnan) and Saint Christopher (Jackson). Each represents a different moral compass — and Brandon leaned into that conflict.
“It’s a trinity dynamic,” he said. “Both characters pull Henry in different directions. You’re not sure who to trust — and neither is Henry.”
Grit, Growth, and Frontier Philosophy
When asked about the tone of The Unholy Trinity, Brandon described it as “an adventure, gritty but not bloody.” Set in the Wild West, the film doesn’t shy away from violence — but its heart lies in character transformation.
“I hope audiences walk away with a sense of freedom,” Brandon shared. “Even when life feels impossible, you always have a choice. You’re the captain of your own course.”
What’s Next
While Brandon teased that he has a few upcoming projects in the works — including a horror film titled The Plantation — he remained tight-lipped about what’s next. But one thing’s for sure: with his breakout performance in The Unholy Trinity, Brandon Lessard is a rising star worth watching.