Shia LaBeouf redefines the word “tell-all” in his drama biopic “Honey Boy.”

The film chronicles LaBeouf’s life as a young rising star with a tumultuous childhood raised by his father who struggles with substance abuse. Interestingly, the former Disney star is credited for writing along with starring in the film as a fictional version of his father.

While the characters of the film were re-written as fictional versions of him, the film’s storyline is closely based on his own life. The actor wrote the screenplay during his time in rehab with the guidance of his friend and the film’s director, Alma Har’el

LaBeouf spoke about how Honey Boy came about during a sit down at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Variety Studio.

“I was just sending her [Har’el] stuff that I was writing down. I had a flashlight and was rummaging through the attics of my soul trying to figure stuff out, figuring my past out…She was like, ‘Oh, this is a movie.’”

Honey Boy goes way back to the actor’s experience with Disney Channel as he starred in the sitcom “Even Stevens” which aired from 2000 to 2003. The show is credited for LaBeouf’s breakthrough role as the young troublemaker Louis Stevens.

While being a Disney Channel star is something out of every kid’s dream, what goes on behind the curtains for LaBeouf was something no child should go through. The actor was a victim of mental and physical abuse at the hands of his father who encouraged him to smoke cigarettes and marijuana before he was a teen.

Now, the actor reveals their relationship has changed for the better. “It’s complicated still like any relationship with a parent but we’re in a way better place and he’s in a way better place,” he said.