Miracles from Heaven
When Christy discovers her 10-year-old daughter Anna has a rare, incurable disease, she becomes a ferocious advocate for her daughter’s healing as she searches for a solution. After Anna has a freak accident and falls three stories, a miracle unfolds in the wake of her dramatic rescue that leaves medical specialists mystified, her family restored and their community inspired.
Despite a mid-range budget of $16.0M, Miracles from Heaven became a financial success, earning $74.0M worldwide—a 363% return.
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%)
Miracles from Heaven (2016) exemplifies strategically placed story structure, characteristic of Patricia Riggen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 59 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Beam family enjoys a happy, normal life in Texas. Anna climbs trees with her sisters, plays outside, and the family is close-knit and faith-filled.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Anna is diagnosed with pseudo-obstruction motility disorder, a rare, incurable digestive condition. The family learns she will suffer chronic pain and may not live a normal life.. At 11% 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 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Christy makes the active choice to fight for Anna, securing an appointment with a top specialist Dr. Nurko in Boston, refusing to accept that nothing can be done., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat False defeat: Despite all treatments, Anna's condition is not improving. Dr. Nurko admits there's nothing more he can do medically. The family faces the reality that Anna may never be cured., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 88 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Anna falls headfirst 30 feet inside a hollow tree. The family believes she is dead. Emergency responders struggle to reach her. This is the "whiff of death" - the darkest moment., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Anna wakes up and reveals she experienced something miraculous in the tree - and her stomach pain is gone. Medical tests confirm the impossible: her digestive disorder has completely healed., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Miracles from Heaven'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 Miracles from Heaven against these established plot points, we can identify how Patricia Riggen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Miracles from Heaven within the family genre.
Patricia Riggen's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Patricia Riggen films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Miracles from Heaven represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Patricia Riggen filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional family films include The Bad Guys, Like A Rolling Stone and Cats Don't Dance. For more Patricia Riggen analyses, see The 33, Under the Same Moon and Girl in Progress.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Beam family enjoys a happy, normal life in Texas. Anna climbs trees with her sisters, plays outside, and the family is close-knit and faith-filled.
Theme
Christy's friend or family member mentions that "sometimes miracles happen in ways we don't expect" - establishing the film's central question about faith during suffering.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Beam family: devoted mother Christy, veterinarian father Kevin, and their three daughters. Anna begins experiencing severe stomach pain and digestive issues that doctors cannot explain.
Disruption
Anna is diagnosed with pseudo-obstruction motility disorder, a rare, incurable digestive condition. The family learns she will suffer chronic pain and may not live a normal life.
Resistance
Christy struggles to accept the diagnosis and searches desperately for treatment. She faces rejections from specialists, insurance obstacles, and watches Anna's condition worsen. The family debates how to move forward.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Christy makes the active choice to fight for Anna, securing an appointment with a top specialist Dr. Nurko in Boston, refusing to accept that nothing can be done.
Mirror World
In Boston, Christy meets Angela, a kind waitress who shows unexpected compassion and helps the struggling family. Angela represents grace and human kindness in suffering.
Premise
The "medical journey" premise plays out: trips to Boston, multiple procedures, hospital stays, and the family navigating Anna's treatment while trying to maintain hope and normalcy.
Midpoint
False defeat: Despite all treatments, Anna's condition is not improving. Dr. Nurko admits there's nothing more he can do medically. The family faces the reality that Anna may never be cured.
Opposition
Christy's faith wavers as Anna continues to suffer. Community judgment, financial strain, and emotional exhaustion close in. Anna herself begins to lose hope, asking why God won't heal her.
Collapse
Anna falls headfirst 30 feet inside a hollow tree. The family believes she is dead. Emergency responders struggle to reach her. This is the "whiff of death" - the darkest moment.
Crisis
Hours of waiting while Anna is trapped in the tree, then rushed to the hospital. The family processes the trauma and prepares for the worst. Christy confronts her deepest fears about losing her daughter.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Anna wakes up and reveals she experienced something miraculous in the tree - and her stomach pain is gone. Medical tests confirm the impossible: her digestive disorder has completely healed.
Synthesis
The finale shows the aftermath: doctors are baffled, the story spreads, and the family shares their experience. Christy reconciles her faith with her suffering, understanding miracles happen in unexpected ways.
Transformation
Final image mirrors the opening: Anna climbs trees again, healthy and whole. But now Christy watches with transformed faith - having learned that miracles come through trials, not instead of them.