Breakthrough Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A teenager falls through ice, doctors give up, but then his mom yells at God until he gets better, proving prayer is stronger than hypothermia and modern medicine.

🍿 Breakthrough: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to John and His Family

The film introduces John Smith, a 14-year-old adopted boy struggling with identity issues and feelings of abandonment. He lives with his adoptive parents, Joyce and Brian Smith, in Lake St. Louis, Missouri. Joyce is a devoutly religious woman, while John navigates typical teenage challenges, including basketball and relationships.

The Accident on the Frozen Lake

On Martin Luther King Day, John and his friends venture onto a frozen lake, ignoring warnings about the thin ice. The ice breaks, and all three boys fall into the frigid water. While his friends are quickly rescued, John sinks to the bottom, remaining submerged for an extended period.

The Unlikely Rescue and Medical Crisis

Firefighter Tommy Shine miraculously locates John after hearing a voice guiding him. John is rushed to the hospital, where he is pronounced dead after being without a pulse for nearly an hour. The attending physician allows Joyce to say her goodbyes, but as she prays, John’s pulse returns unexpectedly.

A Mother’s Unwavering Faith

Doctors offer a grim prognosis, predicting severe neurological damage if John survives. Joyce refuses to accept this, clinging to her faith and praying relentlessly for her son’s recovery. Her unwavering belief puts a strain on her relationships, including her marriage and her connection with the new pastor.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joyce Smith (Chrissy Metz): A deeply religious and fiercely devoted mother who prays for her son’s recovery after a near-fatal accident.
• John Smith (Marcel Ruiz): A 14-year-old adopted boy who struggles with his identity and faces a life-threatening accident.
• Brian Smith (Josh Lucas): John’s adoptive father who supports his wife’s faith while grappling with the grim reality of his son’s condition.
• Pastor Jason Noble (Topher Grace): The contemporary pastor who initially clashes with Joyce but ultimately provides support and faith during the crisis.
• Tommy Shine (Mike Colter): The first responder who rescues John from the frozen lake, experiencing a profound personal transformation.
• Dr. Garrett (Dennis Haysbert): A specialist in drowning cases who provides a scientific perspective on John’s chances of survival.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Joyce Smith: “Holy Spirit, please, give me back my son!” – Joyce’s desperate prayer in the hospital, marking a pivotal moment when John’s pulse returns.
• Tommy Shine: “I heard a voice telling me to go back.” – Tommy, the firefighter, explains the inexplicable urging that led him to find John in the water.
• Dr. Garrett: “Medically, it’s impossible.” – The doctor’s statement, highlighting the extraordinary nature of John’s recovery against all scientific odds.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $14,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $40,713,082
• Worldwide Gross: $50,444,358

💥 Breakthrough Reviews

Personal Review

I went into Breakthrough expecting a typical faith-based drama, but I was surprised by how emotionally invested I became. Chrissy Metz really sold me on the mother’s desperation and unwavering faith. The scene where she’s praying over John in the hospital gave me chills, and I’ll admit, I teared up a bit. I can see why some might find it too preachy, but the underlying message of hope and the power of a mother’s love really got to me. It made me think about what I would do in a similar situation.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of faith-based films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy inspirational dramas”
  • “Families looking for uplifting content”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Peril involving children”
  • “Medical emergency situations”
  • “Thematic elements related to faith and loss”

Professional Reviews

• Common Sense Media: “Despite heavy-handed religious messaging, Breakthrough offers a genuinely moving story about faith and family. Chrissy Metz delivers a powerful performance as a mother who refuses to give up on her son. While predictable, it’s a well-made film.
• Plugged In: “Breakthrough explores the power of prayer and unwavering belief in the face of impossible odds. While the religious themes are prominent, the core message of love and hope resonates. Some may find it overly sentimental, but it’s ultimately an uplifting experience.
• Crosswalk: “Chrissy Metz is amazing but the whole movie is not for everyone due to the extremely religious tones. I understand that it is based on a true story that has religious elements, but the movie is a little bit too preachy for most viewers.

Audience Reactions

Chrissy Metz’s powerful performance really brought the story to life.: Many viewers appreciated the film’s message of hope, faith, and the power of prayer, finding it uplifting and inspiring.

The movie is very religious, so I can understand people who do not follow that path would not like it.: Some viewers did not enjoy the movie due to how religious it was.

Overall Consensus: Breakthrough is a faith-based drama that resonates with viewers who appreciate stories of hope and the power of prayer, though its heavy religious themes may not appeal to everyone.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the true story of John Smith’s miraculous recovery after being submerged in icy water for an extended period.”
• “NBA star Stephen Curry served as an executive producer for the film, adding to its appeal and reach.”
• “Filming took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, which stood in for Missouri in the United States, particularly for the church scenes.”

🖥️ How to Watch Breakthrough?

Breakthrough is available to stream on various platforms. You can rent or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for broadcast options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Breakthrough, you might like these similar films:

• Miracles from Heaven (2016): Both films depict real-life stories of faith, family, and miraculous healing after a severe accident.
• The Blind Side (2009): It highlights the power of faith and adoption and how love can overcome any obstacle.
• Soul Surfer (2011): Both movies show the perseverance of the main character in overcoming an almost unsurvivable trauma.
• I Can Only Imagine (2018): A faith-based biographical drama that explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of music.

🛒 Breakthrough Related Products

• The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection: The book by Joyce Smith that inspired the movie, offering a deeper look into the true story behind the events.
• Breakthrough (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): The soundtrack to the movie with all the songs that were played in the movie.
• Christian Art Gifts Courage – Bible Verse Leather Bookmark for Men & Women: A Bible Verse Bookmark, ideal for any religious person that enjoyed the movie.
• This Is Us: Season 1-6: The entire series of This Is Us, which features Chrissy Metz.

🎧 Soundtrack

Breakthrough features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Uptown Funk” – performed by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
• “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” – performed by Hillsong UNITED

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

‘The Impossible’: This teen fell into an icy lake, had no pulse for 45 minutes and survived

Can you believe someone could survive after being underwater for so long with no pulse? This news report interviews John Smith himself about his unbelievable experience. It’s truly mind-blowing!

The True Story of ‘Breakthrough’

Ever wonder how much of ‘Breakthrough’ is actually true? This Inside Edition piece breaks down the real-life events and the incredible medical miracle that happened. I was totally hooked watching this.

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