Breakthrough
A faith-driven mother refuses to surrender hope when her drowned teenage son lies seemingly beyond recovery.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- earnest
- inspirational
- emotional
- inspirational viewing
- family movie night
What critics said
Critics found the faith-focused true story overly unsubtle but balanced its earnestness with strong performances and an uplifting emotional arc.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Joyce Smith's loud prayer and the family's Christian faith are positioned at the center of John's medical crisis and recovery.
The film dramatizes Joyce Smith's account of her teenage son's drowning, coma, and unexpected pulse after prolonged CPR.
Joyce and Brian Smith face the possibility of losing their son after the Lake Saint Louis accident and prolonged unconsciousness.
John's near-fatal drowning and coma place doctors' prognosis alongside Joyce's insistence on prayer and hope.
Films like Breakthrough, and why
Miracles from Heaven
Shared true-story family drama, Christian faith, medical crisis, and uplifting emotional register.
Heaven Is for Real
Shared faith-centered biographical drama, seriously ill child, parental devotion, and inspirational recovery narrative.
Soul Surfer
Shared inspirational true-story drama, hospital-centered crisis, family perseverance, and emotionally reassuring tone.
Movie Details
- Director
- Roxann Dawson
- Release Date
- 2019-04-10
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (1157)
Cast
- Chrissy Metz
- Josh Lucas
- Topher Grace
- Mike Colter
- Marcel Ruiz
- Sam Trammell
- Dennis Haysbert
- Maddy Martin
- Isaac Kragten
- Nikolas Dukic
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, YouTube TV
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Breakthrough about?
- A faith-driven mother refuses to surrender hope when her drowned teenage son lies seemingly beyond recovery.
- What is Breakthrough like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Breakthrough as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Breakthrough violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Breakthrough as mild.
- What did critics think of Breakthrough?
- Critics found the faith-focused true story overly unsubtle but balanced its earnestness with strong performances and an uplifting emotional arc.
- Which films are like Breakthrough?
- Films with a similar feel include Miracles from Heaven, Heaven Is for Real, and Soul Surfer.
- How long is Breakthrough?
- Breakthrough runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch Breakthrough?
- In United States, Breakthrough streams on fuboTV, YouTube TV.
