"I think we have to believe in things we don't see. That's really important for all of us, whether it's your religion or Santa Claus, or whatever. That's pretty much what it's about"
About this Quote
The subtext is less about metaphysics than coping. Caan came up in a culture that prized toughness and certainty; admitting you need unseen things is a quiet rebellion against macho literalism. By tossing in “or whatever,” he widens the tent to include every private superstition people use to get through the day: hope for change, faith in a partner, confidence in tomorrow’s paycheck, the idea that effort will pay off. “That’s really important for all of us” is doing heavy work here: belief isn’t an eccentricity, it’s a social glue.
Contextually, it reads like an actor reflecting on storytelling itself. Movies ask audiences to invest in invisible interiors - motives, redemption arcs, the promise that meaning exists behind behavior. Caan is defending that leap. If you can believe in Santa long enough to feel wonder, you can believe in something larger long enough to keep going. The line’s warmth is its strategy: it makes faith feel less like a test and more like permission.
Quote Details
| Topic | Faith |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Caan, James. (2026, January 16). I think we have to believe in things we don't see. That's really important for all of us, whether it's your religion or Santa Claus, or whatever. That's pretty much what it's about. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-think-we-have-to-believe-in-things-we-dont-see-89091/
Chicago Style
Caan, James. "I think we have to believe in things we don't see. That's really important for all of us, whether it's your religion or Santa Claus, or whatever. That's pretty much what it's about." FixQuotes. January 16, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-think-we-have-to-believe-in-things-we-dont-see-89091/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"I think we have to believe in things we don't see. That's really important for all of us, whether it's your religion or Santa Claus, or whatever. That's pretty much what it's about." FixQuotes, 16 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/i-think-we-have-to-believe-in-things-we-dont-see-89091/. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.










