Is The Movie Breakthrough Based On A True Story? Where Was Breakthrough Filmed?
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Feb 25, 2023
The Breakthrough Wiki
The Breakthrough is a 2019 Christian drama film directed by Roxann Dawson, based on the Christian book The Impossible written by Joyce Smith with Ginger Kolbaba. The film stars Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, Mike Colter, Marcel Ruiz, Sam Trammel, and Dennis Haysbert, and includes a cameo by Phil Wickham and Lecrae. Executive producers include Stephen Curry and Samuel Rodriguez. The story revolves around the events of John Smith, a St. Louis teenager who slipped through an icy lake on January 19, 2015, and remained underwater for 15 minutes before resuscitative efforts were started. Although being rescued, he falls into a coma, and his family must rely on their faith to get through the ordeal. Breakthrough premiered in St. Louis on March 20, 2019, and was released in the United States on April 17, 2019, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through their 20th Century Fox label. It is the studio's first feature film after the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, who called the plot predictable, the film garnered a nomination at the 92nd Academy Awards for Best Original Song.
Is The Movie Breakthrough Based On A True Story?
Yes, the story is based on the real-life events of John Smith, a St. Louis teenager who slipped through an icy lake on January 19th, 2015, and was underwater for 15 minutes before resuscitative efforts were started. Although rescued, he remained in a coma, leaving his family to turn to high powers for solace. The story is based on the book The Impossible, an account of true events written by Joyce Smith with Ginger Kolbaba. The movie tells the story of the family's reliance on their faith during this difficult time. Chrissy Metz plays the role of Joyce Smith, John's adoptive mother, and gives a moving performance in the movie.
Breakthrough Ending Explained
In the movie Breakthrough, John returns to school after being rescued, but he has an odd feeling about him. His teacher tells him about how her husband died, wondering why God chooses to save some and not others. Other kids mock him for surviving his brush with death. John rides his bike to the lake where he meets Tommy and thanks him for saving him. Tommy says that he didn't believe in God until all of the recent events. The Smiths go onstage for the next Sunday service, where John and Joyce give tearful thanks to everyone for their support. Jason, their pastor, then gets everyone to stand and show that they have all prayed for John's recovery. The ending text states how the Smiths still live in Missouri and have a good relationship with Pastor Jason. John plans to pursue a life in the ministry while also coaching basketball. The film ends with photos of the real Smith family and Jason.
Where Was Breakthrough Filmed?
DeVon Franklin, a producer, assisted the Smith family in finding a literary agent and adapting their book into a film, which was shot in various locations in Manitoba from March to May 2018. The movie's official trailer was released on December 5, 2018 and received more than 30 million views within two days, making it the most-watched trailer for a religious film during that time frame. Breakthrough was distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (through their subsidiary 20th Century Fox) in the United States on April 17, 2019.
However, it was released during a weekend where studios avoided major releases to not compete with Disney's Avengers: Endgame. The film was later released on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Blu-ray by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, which became the label of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment on July 16, 2019. The film made $40.7 million in the US and Canada, and $9.7 million in other countries, for a total worldwide gross of $50.4 million. It was released alongside Penguins and was expected to earn $13-17 million during its opening five-day weekend from 2,300 theaters. The film earned $1.9 million on its first day and $1.5 million on its second day. In its first weekend, it earned $11.3 million (a total of $14.6 million over five days) and ranked third behind The Curse of La Llorona and Shazam!. Its second weekend saw a 39% decrease in earnings, with a total of $6.8 million and ranking fourth.
Is The Movie Breakthrough Based On A True Story - FAQs
Breakthrough is a 2019 American Christian drama film directed by Roxann Dawson and written by Grant Nieporte. The film is based on the Christian novel The Impossible, written by Joyce Smith and co-authored by Ginger Kolbaba.
The film stars Chrissy Metz, Josh Lucas, Topher Grace, Mike Colter, Marcel Ruiz, and Dennis Haysbert.
The film is based on the true story of a teenager named John Smith who fell through an icy lake and was underwater for 15 minutes. Despite being clinically dead for an hour, John inexplicably came back to life after his mother, Joyce Smith, prayed for him.
Breakthrough was directed by Roxann Dawson.