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Biographical drama

Breakthrough (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Breakthrough (2019) movie poster

Breakthrough is a 2019 biographical drama directed by Roxann Dawson, starring Chrissy Metz as Joyce Smith, Marcel Ruiz and Josh Lucas. It is based on Breakthrough by Joyce Smith and Ginger Kolbaba. It runs 1 hour 56 minutes and earned $50.4 million worldwide on a $14 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Song at the Critics' Choice 2020. Critics gave it 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
60%
worldwide gross
$50.4M
award nomination
1
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Breakthrough (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 56m (116 min)
Director
Roxann Dawson
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$14M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Breakthrough About?

The premise of Breakthrough without spoilers, adapted from Breakthrough by Joyce Smith and Ginger Kolbaba. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

After a devastating accident on a frozen Missouri lake, Joyce Smith faces an unimaginable crisis when her adopted son, John, falls through the ice. Submerged for over fifteen minutes, John’s condition remains critical, defying medical expectations. As Joyce, her husband, and their pastor maintain a constant vigil, they desperately pray for a miraculous recovery, clinging to hope amidst the uncertainty and the fight for John’s life.

Breakthrough Themes & Keywords

· 48 tags
  • religious
  • winter
  • thin ice
  • serious injury
  • miracle
  • hospital
  • death
  • singing
  • choir singing
  • paramedic
  • doctor
  • reference to the golden state warriors
+36 more
  • reference to steph curry
  • reference to kevin durant
  • church service
  • basketball game
  • falling through ice
  • reference to lebron james
  • medically induced coma
  • reference to martin luther king jr. day
  • reference to frederick douglass
  • waking up from a coma
  • reference to the oklahoma city thunder
  • police officer
  • saying grace
  • basketball shoes
  • church pastor
  • near drowning
  • st charles missouri
  • fire rescue
  • lake beneath ice
  • prayer vigil
  • family relationships
  • life flight
  • diabetic
  • pet dog
  • adopted child
  • signs of life
  • fever
  • epilogue
  • photograph of real people portrayed in film
  • ends with quotation
  • medical drama
  • 14 year old boy
  • faith
  • pastor
  • reference to michael jordan
  • based on true story
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Cast & crew

Breakthrough Cast & Characters

Chrissy Metz leads the cast as Joyce Smith, with Marcel Ruiz as John Smith and Josh Lucas as Brian Smith. Directed by Roxann Dawson; 14 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Breakthrough Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Breakthrough 60% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

65 /100

Breakthrough Echo Score Breakdown

Breakthrough exhibits a compelling emotional core despite uneven craft execution. The film’s narrative balance between medical drama and spiritual themes resonates through strong performances and heartfelt story arcs. However, direction and visual presentation often feel procedural, and pacing falters in places. While its authentic characters engage viewers, the limited sensory flair and predictable faith-based elements reduce lasting appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of craft execution, the direction maintains a professional consistency but rarely ventures beyond procedural conventions. Cinematography offers occasional framing highlights but overall relies on standard visuals. Production design and editing support narrative clarity without introducing distinctive style. As a result, the film’s art and craft deliver functional competence but lack memorable innovation, resulting in a measured visual experience.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character development, the film benefits from committed performances and emotional authenticity. Acting contributions infuse depth into individual journeys, and chemistry between leads conveys genuine connection. Character arcs reveal personal crises that resonate through measured dialogue and nuanced portrayals. Although some arcs follow familiar templates, the ensemble’s empathetic execution sustains engagement and underpins the film’s emotional impact.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of storytelling, the narrative combines factual events with familiar faith-based beats. Plot progression remains coherent and occasionally engaging, especially during tense hospital and community scenes. Pacing alternates between reflective moments and procedural sequences, leading to predictable resolutions. Originality is limited by conventional faith tropes, yet the emotional stakes and occasional narrative twists sustain viewer investment through to the conclusion.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    When it comes to sensory experience, the soundtrack and sound design support dramatic moments without distinct flair. Musical cues underscore emotional beats in a conventional manner, and ambient sound remains unobtrusive. Visual style relies on naturalistic lighting and restrained color palettes, providing cohesion but limited spectacle. This approach ensures clarity but results in a subdued audiovisual environment lacking memorable sensory highlights.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of rewatch potential, the film’s earnest message and emotional turns offer occasional appeal for repeat viewings among interested audiences. The central performances sustain some rediscovery of character details, and key dramatic set-pieces retain modest resonance on subsequent viewings. However, the predictable faith-based structure and measured sensory presentation limit broader replay value, resulting in moderate long-term engagement.

Plot

Breakthrough Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Breakthrough from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

John Smith, portrayed by Marcel Ruiz, is a 14-year-old boy from Guatemala, living in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, with his adoptive parents, Brian Smith and Joyce Smith. Despite their love and support, John grapples with feelings of abandonment from his biological parents, leading to rebellious behavior against both his parents and teachers. Joyce, a devoted and deeply religious woman, recognizes John’s desire to rebel and responds with unwavering love, though it often leaves her feeling frustrated.

Full summary

The whole story of Breakthrough, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Breakthrough Box Office & Budget

Breakthrough grossed $50.4 million worldwide on a $14 million budget, 3.6 times what it cost. $40.7 million came from the US and Canada and $9.7 million (19%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$50.4M

3.6× its budget

US & Canada
$40.7M
International
$9.7M
Budget
$14M
US & Canada 81% Rest of the world 19%
Awards

Breakthrough Awards & Nominations

Breakthrough earned 1 award nomination, including Best Song at the Critics' Choice 2020.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Breakthrough Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Breakthrough.

Breakthrough | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Breakthrough?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What event prompts John to struggle with his identity?

Cars

Cars in Breakthrough

22 cars on screen, including the 2003 Ford Explorer and the 2001 Ford E-350.

All 22 cars
  • 2003 Ford Explorer in Breakthrough 2003 Ford Explorer Important role
  • 2001 Ford E-350 in Breakthrough 2001 Ford E-350 Minor role
  • 2011 Ford F-250 Super Duty in Breakthrough 2011 Ford F-250 Super Duty Minor role
  • 1987 Ford F-800 in Breakthrough 1987 Ford F-800 Minor role
Details

Breakthrough Also Known As

25 alternative titles, including “브레이크스루” and “Tilbage til livet”.

Also known as
  • 브레이크스루
  • Tilbage til livet
  • Прорив
  • De l'autre côté
  • 기적의 소년
  • Superação: O Milagre da Fé
  • Прорыв
  • 不可能的事
  • Przypływ wiary
  • Más allá de la esperanza
  • Breakthrough - Zurück ins Leben
  • Uyanış
+13 more
  • 奇蹟的突破
  • Un amor inquebrantable
  • Atto di fede
  • Zlom
  • Um Acto de Fé
  • Áttörés
  • Пробуждане
  • Izrāviens
  • פריצת דרך
  • Phép Màu
  • ブレイクスルー 奇跡の生還
  • Prasiveržimas
  • Revelația

Seen Breakthrough?

FAQ

Breakthrough FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Breakthrough, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Breakthrough?

Breakthrough runs 1 hour 56 minutes (116 minutes).

When was Breakthrough released?

Breakthrough was released on April 17, 2019.

Who directed Breakthrough?

Breakthrough was directed by Roxann Dawson.

More films by Roxann Dawson

Who is in the cast of Breakthrough?

Breakthrough stars Chrissy Metz as Joyce Smith, Marcel Ruiz as John Smith and Josh Lucas as Brian Smith, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Breakthrough make at the box office?

Breakthrough grossed $50.4 million worldwide ($40.7 million domestic, $9.7 million international) on a budget of $14 million.

How is Breakthrough rated?

Breakthrough has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, 46 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.

Is Breakthrough based on a book?

Yes. Breakthrough is adapted from Breakthrough by Joyce Smith and Ginger Kolbaba.

Was Breakthrough nominated for any awards?

Breakthrough received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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