Breakthrough
Tragedy strikes when a woman named Joyce's son falls through the ice on a frozen lake and is trapped underwater for over 15 minutes. After being rushed to the hospital, the 14-year-old boy continues to fight for his life as Joyce, her husband and their pastor stay by his bedside and pray for a miracle.
Despite its modest budget of $14.0M, Breakthrough became a financial success, earning $49.2M worldwide—a 251% return. The film's bold vision attracted moviegoers, confirming that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Breakthrough (2019) demonstrates carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Roxann Dawson's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Joyce Smith
John Smith
Brian Smith
Dr. Kent Sutterer
Pastor Jason Noble
Tommy Shine
Dr. Jeremy Garrett
Main Cast & Characters
Joyce Smith
Played by Chrissy Metz
Fierce adoptive mother who refuses to give up on her son John after he falls through ice and is declared brain-dead.
John Smith
Played by Marcel Ruiz
14-year-old adopted teen who falls through ice and miraculously survives after his mother's prayer.
Brian Smith
Played by Josh Lucas
Joyce's husband and John's adoptive father, a steady and supportive presence during the crisis.
Dr. Kent Sutterer
Played by Sam Trammell
The ER doctor who declares John dead but witnesses his miraculous recovery.
Pastor Jason Noble
Played by Topher Grace
New young pastor at Joyce's church who supports the family through the crisis.
Tommy Shine
Played by Mike Colter
First responder firefighter who risks his life to save John from the frozen lake.
Dr. Jeremy Garrett
Played by Dennis Haysbert
Specialist physician brought in to treat John, skeptical but compassionate.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Joyce Smith, a strong-willed Christian woman, navigates her daily life in St. Louis with her adopted teenage son John, who is becoming distant and rebellious. The ordinary world shows a strained mother-son relationship and Joyce's deep faith.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when John Smith falls through the ice of a frozen lake while playing with friends. He is submerged in the freezing water for over 15 minutes. This catastrophic event shatters the ordinary world.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 28 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Joyce prays desperately over John's lifeless body in the hospital, commanding him to live in Jesus' name. John's heart suddenly starts beating again, defying medical explanation. Joyce chooses faith over acceptance of death., moving from reaction to action.
At 57 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat John shows first significant signs of improvement - small movements or responses that give medical hope. This false victory raises stakes: now the question is not just survival but full recovery. The battle intensifies., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 85 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, John's condition critically deteriorates or doctors deliver devastating news about permanent damage. Joyce faces the possible death of her son or life on machines. Her faith wavers as she confronts the darkest possibility., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 92 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Joyce surrenders control to God, moving from demanding a miracle to accepting His will. This spiritual synthesis - combining faith with surrender - creates the emotional shift. New resolve emerges from letting go., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Breakthrough's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Breakthrough against these established plot points, we can identify how Roxann Dawson utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Breakthrough within the drama genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Joyce Smith, a strong-willed Christian woman, navigates her daily life in St. Louis with her adopted teenage son John, who is becoming distant and rebellious. The ordinary world shows a strained mother-son relationship and Joyce's deep faith.
Theme
Pastor Jason Noble or a character discusses faith and the power of belief in the impossible. The theme centers on whether faith can overcome impossible circumstances and whether miracles still happen.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the Smith family dynamics, Joyce's church community, John's friendships, and the winter setting. John's relationship with his mother is tense as he seeks independence. The comfortable but imperfect life before tragedy.
Disruption
John Smith falls through the ice of a frozen lake while playing with friends. He is submerged in the freezing water for over 15 minutes. This catastrophic event shatters the ordinary world.
Resistance
Emergency responders attempt to revive John. Joyce and Brian rush to the hospital. John is declared dead with no heartbeat for over 45 minutes. Joyce debates whether to accept the doctors' prognosis or fight for a miracle.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Joyce prays desperately over John's lifeless body in the hospital, commanding him to live in Jesus' name. John's heart suddenly starts beating again, defying medical explanation. Joyce chooses faith over acceptance of death.
Mirror World
Dr. Garrett and other medical professionals become invested in John's case. The relationship between Joyce's unwavering faith and the doctors' medical science creates the thematic tension. Pastor Jason becomes a key spiritual support.
Premise
John remains in a coma with dire prognosis. Joyce battles medical staff, maintains constant prayer vigil, and refuses to give up hope. The community rallies in prayer. The promise: can faith sustain a miracle against impossible medical odds?
Midpoint
John shows first significant signs of improvement - small movements or responses that give medical hope. This false victory raises stakes: now the question is not just survival but full recovery. The battle intensifies.
Opposition
Medical setbacks threaten John's progress. Joyce's aggressive faith alienates some hospital staff. Doctors warn of permanent brain damage. Joyce's marriage strains under the pressure. Doubt creeps in from all sides as time passes without full recovery.
Collapse
John's condition critically deteriorates or doctors deliver devastating news about permanent damage. Joyce faces the possible death of her son or life on machines. Her faith wavers as she confronts the darkest possibility.
Crisis
Joyce processes her dark night of the soul. She wrestles with whether she's been faithful or foolish. Conversations with her husband Brian and Pastor Jason help her work through despair. The emotional nadir before breakthrough.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Joyce surrenders control to God, moving from demanding a miracle to accepting His will. This spiritual synthesis - combining faith with surrender - creates the emotional shift. New resolve emerges from letting go.
Synthesis
John miraculously awakens and begins recovering. He defies all medical predictions, showing no brain damage. The community witnesses the miracle. Joyce's faith is vindicated. John fully recovers and reunites with his family and friends.
Transformation
John returns to the lake where he drowned, now whole and healthy. The closing image mirrors the opening but shows transformation: the mother-son relationship is healed, faith is strengthened, and the impossible became possible. The family is unified.