Austin and Ben Lux weren’t allowed to see the movieThe Beacon, even though they played prominent roles in the film.

Melissa Lux, the Denton boys’ mother, said that was just the breaks.

Courtesy photo/Andy Lux

From left, Austin Lux, Teri Polo and Ben Lux take a break during work on the psychological thriller The Beacon. The film screens in Dallas tonight.

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“No, they weren’t allowed to watch the movie at the cast screening, and they aren’t too happy with mom about that right now. I told them, ‘Sorry, bub, you don’t get to watch rated R movies.’”

The Beacon, starring Teri Polo (Meet The Parents, Beyond Borders), is a psychological thriller about a family that relocates to the title apartment complex for the husband’s new teaching job. Whipsawed by grief at a recent loss, the new start seems to give the family hope — until creepy things start happening and a mysterious boy appears in the complex.

A special screening will be at 7:30 p.m. today at the Studio Movie Grill in Dallas, 11170 N. Central Expressway.

The film, produced by the Texas-based Sabbatical Pictures, has been screening through the week in North Texas. Early industry reports said the film is expected to go into wide release in 2010.

Austin was 9 years old when the movie went into production last year, and Ben was 7. Both boys are in the cast of Barney & Friends, and both were in Living Proof with Harry Connick Jr. and Angie Harmon.

Austin plays Ronnie Nash, a mysterious boy who lives at The Beacon. Ben plays Danny Shaw, the son of Polo’s character.

“It was an incredible opportunity, and such a good educational experience,” Melissa Lux said. “What happens next depends on the release. You never know what will happen.”

Melissa and her husband, Andy, homeschool the boys, who work 10-hour shifts on the set of Barney during the week. The boys weren’t available for interviews due to working on a project in Los Angeles.

The film was shot on location in Waxahachie at the Rogers Hotel.

“The hotel has its own history,” Melissa Lux said. “It’s supposed to be one of the most haunted places in Texas. It’s an appropriate venue, I guess you could say.”

Austin and Ben didn’t have to cope with any fear from the shooting itself.

“The scary things that happen in the movie, they didn’t see,” Melissa Lux said.

LUCINDA BREEDING can be reached at 940-566-6877. Her e-mail address is cbreeding@dentonrc.com .