๐Ÿฟ PopcornCheck
Breakthrough poster

Is Breakthrough OK for Kids?

Drama
10+
PGโญ 6.3 / 102019 ยท 1h 56m
Roxann Dawson

Where to Watch

United States

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Streaming data by JustWatch

What's In It

Based on the actual screenplay
๐Ÿ—ก๏ธViolence
Mildโ–ผ
Moments in the script, mildest โ†’ most intense
0
Cartoon / Comedic
4
Action & Peril
0
Injuries & Death Shown
0
Graphic & Disturbing
  • Boys fall through the ice on a frozen lake, and John goes under the water, setting off the film's central crisis
  • Emergency responders perform rescue operations, pulling bodies from the icy water
  • Extended CPR compressions are performed on unresponsive John for a prolonged period in the hospital
  • An altercation breaks out between John and Chad during basketball practice, which the coach steps in to stop
  • No weapons are used; the violence centers on accident, medical peril, and one brief physical scuffle rather than intentional harm
๐Ÿ’ฌLanguage
Very Mildโ–ผ
Moments in the script, mildest โ†’ most intense
4
Mild Words
(damn, hell)
0
Moderate
(ass, b**ch)
0
Strong
(sh*t)
0
Extreme
(f**k)
  • "Hell" is used twice, "Bull" once, and "Da**" once across the film
  • No f-words, c-words, or slurs are present
  • Overall language is very restrained, consistent with the film's family-oriented, faith-based tone
๐Ÿ‘ปScary Scenes
Extremeโ–ผ
Moments in the script, mildest โ†’ most intense
2
Mildly Tense
0
Startling Moments
2
Genuinely Scary
1
Deeply Disturbing
  • The extended drowning sequence shows boys trapped under the ice struggling for air, which is disturbing and intense
  • The emergency response to the lake rescue carries unclear survival prospects, creating genuine fear for the characters
  • A doctor tells the family that John will not survive the night, a tense and emotionally heavy hospital scene
  • Joyce codes and has a diabetic emergency in the hospital, prompting an urgent medical team response
  • John's extubation and awakening from the coma is tense due to uncertain neurological status, but resolves positively as he recognizes his mother's voice
๐Ÿ’•Romance
Very Mildโ–ผ
Moments in the script, mildest โ†’ most intense
2
Crushes & Holding Hands
0
Kissing & Dating
0
Suggestive
0
Sexual Content
  • John casually mentions girls named Molly and Abby in an ordinary teenage context
  • Pastor Jason references The Bachelor TV show and romantic commitment themes during a sermon
  • There is no dating, kissing, or physical romantic content in the film
๐ŸบSubstances
Moderateโ–ผ
Moments in the script, mildest โ†’ most intense
1
Mentioned in Passing
0
Shown Casually
1
Featured Prominently
0
Glorified or Abused
  • Joyce manages Type 1 diabetes, takes insulin, and later experiences a diabetic coma, shown in a medical, non-recreational context
  • Hospital care scenes reference multiple medications including propofol, epinephrine, antibiotics, and Narcan as part of John's treatment
  • No recreational drug or alcohol use is depicted; all substance references are medical in nature
โšกStimulation
Moderateโ–ผ
Moments in the script, mildest โ†’ most intense
0
Gently Engaging
2
Exciting
3
Intense
0
Overwhelming
  • The ice rescue sequence features multiple emergency vehicles, sirens, and coordinated rescue efforts with high sensory intensity
  • Hospital resuscitation efforts span over 45 minutes with multiple defibrillation attempts, creating sustained tension
  • John's extubation and awakening includes rapid heart rate monitoring and urgent medical intervention
  • A school celebration when students learn John is awake features excited crowd reactions and cheering
  • A church service includes standing ovations for emergency responders and community members, an emotionally charged but not overwhelming scene
  • Sensory-sensitive children may find the rescue and resuscitation sequences overwhelming due to their length and intensity
Breakthrough โ€” Heads Up for Parents

Despite its faith-based, family-friendly reputation, the film includes an extended and disturbing drowning sequence with boys trapped under ice struggling for air, plus a prolonged CPR/resuscitation scene spanning over 45 minutes with multiple defibrillation attempts โ€” more medically intense than parents might expect from the trailer.

About Breakthrough

"Breakthrough" is a faith-based drama based on a true story about a teenage boy, John, who falls through frozen ice and is submerged in freezing water for an extended period, leading his family and community to pray for a miracle as doctors expect him not to survive. The film focuses heavily on themes of faith, prayer, and family bonds through adoption, balancing intense medical emergency sequences with emotional and spiritual reflection.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ง
Best watched together
The drowning sequence, hospital death declaration, and Joyce's diabetic emergency are emotionally intense for children under 10 โ€” watching together allows parents to discuss faith themes, adoption, and the medical crisis as they unfold.

Family Takeaways from Breakthrough

What it gets right

  • โœ“The film portrays a realistic, unresolved family dynamic (John's distance from his parents) that is worked through honestly rather than resolved too neatly, as seen in the breakfast prayer scene
  • โœ“It shows first responders, medical staff, and community members as heroes through the church service's standing ovations for emergency responders and those who prayed

Breakthrough Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Faith & Religion
โ—Christian themes

The entire film centers on a mother's faith-driven prayer vigil to bring her son back from clinical death. Christian belief, prayer, and divine intervention are the core narrative driving force throughout.

Values & Themes
โ—Traditional family values

A mother's unwavering dedication to her son and the community rallying around family crisis form the emotional foundation. The film explicitly celebrates maternal devotion and family bonds as its central message.

Cast:Chrissy MetzJosh LucasTopher GraceMike ColterMarcel Ruiz

Is Breakthrough Appropriate for Your Child's Age?

โœ—Age 5: Not recommended for 5-year-olds
โœ—Age 8: Not recommended for 8-year-olds
โœ“Age 10: Generally appropriate for 10-year-olds
โœ“Age 12: Generally appropriate for 12-year-olds
โœ“Age 13: Generally appropriate for 13-year-olds
โœ“Age 15: Generally appropriate for 15-year-olds
โœ“Age 17: Generally appropriate for 17-year-olds

Individual children may vary โ€” use your judgment.

Parents also ask about Breakthrough

  • Is Breakthrough appropriate for a 10-year-old?
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  • What is the age rating for Breakthrough?

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