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Sports drama

Overcomer (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Overcomer (2019) movie poster

Overcomer is a 2019 sports drama directed by Alex Kendrick, starring Jack Sterner as Ethan Harrison, Aryn Wright-Thompson and Denise Armstrong. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $38 million worldwide on a $5 million budget. Critics gave it 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 17 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
59%
worldwide gross
$38M
Echo Score
48
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Overcomer (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Director
Alex Kendrick
Genres
Drama , Sport
Original language
English
Budget
$5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Overcomer About?

The premise of Overcomer without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

When the town's primary employer shuts down, Coach John Harrison faces unexpected challenges and must find a renewed sense of purpose. He discovers inspiration in a young athlete overcoming extraordinary circumstances and forms an unlikely friendship that helps them both confront personal struggles. Through determination and resilience, they embark on a journey to achieve what seems impossible, demonstrating the power of hope and the strength of the human spirit.

Overcomer Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • one word title
  • basketball sport
  • student athlete
  • running
  • high school
  • coach
  • christian film
  • directed by star
  • motivational
  • christian propaganda
  • high school basketball game
  • high school basketball coach
+38 more
  • grandmother granddaughter relationship
  • asthma
  • cross country
  • hospital visit
  • blind man
  • diabetes
  • state championship
  • funeral
  • co written by director
  • high school coach
  • basketball coach
  • asthmatic
  • championship game
  • cross country runner
  • female runner
  • foot chase
  • thief
  • teenage thief
  • high school athlete
  • female athlete
  • down on his luck
  • christian man
  • sports drama
  • teenage athlete
  • hospital patient
  • winning a race
  • running race
  • belief in god
  • photo finish
  • grandmother
  • meeting one's father
  • father daughter relationship
  • coach athlete relationship
  • prayer
  • father and daughter meeting
  • reference to god
  • diabetic
  • sick father
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Cast & crew

Overcomer Cast & Characters

Jack Sterner leads the cast as Ethan Harrison, with Aryn Wright-Thompson as Hannah Scott and Denise Armstrong as Barbara Scott. Directed by Alex Kendrick; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Alex Kendrick

More films directed by Alex Kendrick, best-rated first: The Forge, Courageous, Facing the Giants and Fireproof.

Full filmography
Ratings

Overcomer Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Overcomer 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 17 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in art & craft (30).

48 /100

Overcomer Echo Score Breakdown

Overcomer elicits a blend of critical skepticism and audience enthusiasm rooted in its faith-based narrative. In terms of visual and technical craft, many found the lighting and editing serviceable but lacking nuance. Character portrayals sparked praise for sincerity alongside critiques of occasional melodrama. The screenplay divides opinion with heartfelt themes counterbalanced by a didactic tone. A stirring conclusion earns points for emotional payoff, but uneven pacing curbs the overall impact. The film ultimately delivers earnest intentions through uneven execution, resulting in a moderately mixed reception.

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

  • Art & Craft 30

    In terms of art and craft, Overcomer exhibits notably flat lighting and straightforward editing that underscore its modest production values. The cinematography rarely ventures beyond functional framing, and production design emphasizes simplicity over visual depth. While this approach keeps focus on the story’s core message, it limits creative expression. Overall, the visual execution feels serviceable but seldom engaging.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances range from genuine warmth to occasional theatricality. The lead’s earnest portrayal conveys clear values and emotional stakes, and supporting roles contribute moments of credible vulnerability. Some dialogue veers into didactic territory, creating uneven depth. Despite these fluctuations, the film achieves moments of sincere connection that sustain viewer engagement.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Regarding story and flow, Overcomer balances a motivational sports narrative with overt religious messaging that may feel heavy-handed. The pacing alternates between engaging race sequences and expository segments that slow momentum. Plot developments are earnest in intent but sometimes predictable in execution. A strong climactic turn offers emotional resolution, but the overall narrative consistency remains uneven.

  • Sensory Experience 40

    In the realm of sensory experience, the soundtrack supports key emotional beats without standing out, and sound design remains clear but unobtrusive. Visual style adheres to a straightforward aesthetic, relying on bright, uniform lighting rather than dynamic composition. This results in a cohesive yet unremarkable sensory palette. The film’s audio-visual presentation is functional, with few distinctive flourishes.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Considering rewatch factor, the film’s inspiring themes and uplifting moments may appeal to viewers invested in its message, yet the overtly instructional tone can diminish replay value. While core fans may revisit its emotional peaks, the didactic approach and predictable arcs limit broader repeat engagement. The movie retains modest appeal for those drawn to its subject matter, but wider rewatch prospects remain constrained.

Plot

Overcomer Plot Summary

What happens in Overcomer from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film begins inside the Brookshire Christian School gym, where the boys’ basketball team experiences a devastating loss in a closely contested championship game, just moments before the final buzzer. After the game, Coach John Harrison comforts his son Ethan, who missed the crucial last shot, assuring him that next year will bring new opportunities with the return of their top players, while their rivals will have graduated.

The plot thickens as Coach Harrison and the faculty receive shocking news via a television broadcast, revealing that the town’s largest employer, a manufacturing plant, is relocating to another city. Although another coach reassures him about the basketball team’s future due to the return of his best athletes, uncertainty looms.

Full summary

The whole story of Overcomer, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Overcomer Box Office & Budget

Overcomer grossed $38 million worldwide on a $5 million budget, 7.6 times what it cost. $34.7 million came from the US and Canada and $3.3 million (9%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$38M

7.6× its budget

US & Canada
$34.7M
International
$3.3M
Budget
$5M
US & Canada 91% Rest of the world 9%
Videos

Overcomer Trailers & Videos

8 videos: 3 trailers and 5 clips.

All 8 videos
Overcomer Movie - Official Trailer (HD)
  • Trailer Overcomer 60 Second Trailer
  • Trailer Overcomer Trailer - Now Playing
  • Clip Overcomer Scene - One Runner
  • Clip Overcomer Scene: Coach Harrison Meets Thomas
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Overcomer?

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 sport does Coach Harrison initially coach?

Cars

Cars in Overcomer

11 cars on screen, including the 2005 Honda Odyssey and the 2017 Cadillac XTS Funeral Coach.

All 11 cars
  • 2005 Honda Odyssey in Overcomer 2005 Honda Odyssey Important role
  • 2017 Cadillac XTS Funeral Coach in Overcomer 2017 Cadillac XTS Funeral Coach Minor role
  • Club Car DS in Overcomer Club Car DS Minor role
  • 2004 Hino 600 in Overcomer 2004 Hino 600 Minor role

Seen Overcomer?

FAQ

Overcomer FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Overcomer, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Overcomer?

Overcomer runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was Overcomer released?

Overcomer was released on August 23, 2019.

Who directed Overcomer?

Overcomer was directed by Alex Kendrick.

More films by Alex Kendrick

Who is in the cast of Overcomer?

Overcomer stars Jack Sterner as Ethan Harrison, Aryn Wright-Thompson as Hannah Scott and Denise Armstrong as Barbara Scott, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Overcomer make at the box office?

Overcomer grossed $38 million worldwide ($34.7 million domestic, $3.3 million international) on a budget of $5 million.

How is Overcomer rated?

Overcomer has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, 17 on Metacritic and 77% on TMDB.

Does Overcomer have a post-credit scene?

No. Overcomer has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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