Overcomer

Name: Overcomer
Genre: Drama, Sport
Released: August 23, 2019
Duration: 119 min
Rating: 17
Cast: Alex Kendrick, Aryn Wright-Thompson, Ben Davies, Bruce Marchiano, Cameron Arnett

2019

METASCORE

Overwhelming dislike based on 5 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings

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7.0

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7.0	Your Score
7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) | Release Date: August 23, 2019 | PG

Starring: Alex Kendrick, Aryn Wright-Thompson, Ben Davies, Bruce Marchiano, Cameron Arnett, Christian Gabriel Anderson, Dave Blamy, Denise Armstrong, Elizabeth Becka, Holly A. Morris, Jack Sterner, Jared Staley, Joseph Curtis Callender, Karen Boles, Kendrick Cross, Les Best, Micah Lynn Hanson, Myke Holmes, Priscilla Evans Shirer, Scotty Curlee, Shari Rigby

Summary: Life changes overnight for basketball coach John Harrison and the high school where he and his wife teach when they learn the largest manufacturing plant in town is shutting down. Uncertainty swirls as hundreds of families depart, leaving John fearful for the future of his family and his team. Forced to coach a sport he doesn’t even like,Life changes overnight for basketball coach John Harrison and the high school where he and his wife teach when they learn the largest manufacturing plant in town is shutting down. Uncertainty swirls as hundreds of families depart, leaving John fearful for the future of his family and his team. Forced to coach a sport he doesn’t even like, John is inspired by an unexpected friendship, and an unlikely athlete pushing her limits on a journey toward discovery. With newfound resolve and the support of the community, Hannah and her coach challenge the impossible in the biggest race of her life.… Expand

Director: Alex Kendrick

Genre(s): Drama, Sport

Rating: PG

Runtime: 119 min

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Critic Reviews

Kimber Myers

Aug 23, 2019

Kendrick’s film eventually finds its legs in the final stretch, with an emotionally effective conclusion that might persuade even the cynics to its cause. Whether it converts them to running or to Christ will depend on the viewer. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Mark Dujsik

Aug 23, 2019

There's about half a movie in Overcomer. The other half or so is a pretty half-hearted sermon. Neither half is particularly worthwhile, and the whole is cheap, cheesy, and, to put it charitably, churchy. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Aug 24, 2019

There’s just nothing here. Even as comfort food for true believers, Overcomer cannot overcome its myriad shortcomings. Read full review

Nick Schager

Aug 22, 2019

Laced with white-savior undertones this vaguely “The Blind Side”-esque sports drama doesn’t bother investigating (if it recognizes them at all), Overcomer offers nothing in the way of nuance — even its title is awkward — and, also, no respite from its religious propagandizing. Read full review

Carlos Aguilar

Aug 23, 2019

What’s never visible, through the monologues and hackneyed one-on-one chats, is a desire to use lighting beyond flat luminosity. Visual delivery matches the insipidness of the material. Read full review

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User Reviews

Waynenoogen

Aug 29, 2019

As usual, secular critics’ heads explode whenever Christians are portrayed as anything other than narrow-minded bigots. The very things that make them angry or uncomfortable are the things that show these characters as authentic Christians - flawed, prayerful, forgiven and forgiving. I knowAs usual, secular critics’ heads explode whenever Christians are portrayed as anything other than narrow-minded bigots. The very things that make them angry or uncomfortable are the things that show these characters as authentic Christians - flawed, prayerful, forgiven and forgiving. I know these characters. I grew up with these characters. And that’s why they’re believable.… Expand

4 of 7 users found this helpful43

IamTrina

Aug 30, 2019

Well done, inspiring movie. I shed a few tears because of poignant moments and very moving dialog. If you like cross country running, you will love this movie. If you don't like running, you will still love this movie. It's also about relationships, dealing with personal letdowns, knowingWell done, inspiring movie. I shed a few tears because of poignant moments and very moving dialog. If you like cross country running, you will love this movie. If you don't like running, you will still love this movie. It's also about relationships, dealing with personal letdowns, knowing your identity, and forgiveness. The critics always downgrade Christian themed movies, so don't be discouraged. The two others who came to the movie with me also enjoyed it very much. Thank you Kendrick Brothers for a movie that is suitable and meaningful for the whole family!… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

Rglaws4

Oct 1, 2019

The ratings that are below 8 are paid off miserable people. Ignore them. This movie is absolutely fantastic and everyone needs to watch it. I'm still crying hours later. It touches you deep and unforgettable movie.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Qadosh

Aug 25, 2019

What an absolutely beautiful film! Great acting and excellent story line. It is sad to see so much hate toward the Creator these last days. If this film was based on a lie, it would have received great reviews, but being based on Truth, it is automatically despised, even by people thatWhat an absolutely beautiful film! Great acting and excellent story line. It is sad to see so much hate toward the Creator these last days. If this film was based on a lie, it would have received great reviews, but being based on Truth, it is automatically despised, even by people that clearly did not watch it. Every breath we take and every beat of our heart is a gift from the LORD Jesus and this movie clearly demonstrates His great and unfailing love toward us! There is not human ability to overcome death, Jesus the Christ alone has provided the only way!… Expand

4 of 10 users found this helpful46

Jimog

Sep 2, 2019

Loved the message of this movie. Very inspiring! I think it's one of the best by the Kendrick's.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

TheQuietGamer

Sep 21, 2019

With the exception of maybe Courageous, the films from the Kendrick brothers have been just as amateurish and pandering as the rest of the faith-based offerings. Receiving the same kind of repeated criticism for middling production values, stale dramatic beats, and the messages themselves.With the exception of maybe Courageous, the films from the Kendrick brothers have been just as amateurish and pandering as the rest of the faith-based offerings. Receiving the same kind of repeated criticism for middling production values, stale dramatic beats, and the messages themselves. However, I've always felt that the duo have really pushed themselves with each successive release to try new things and make higher quality entertainment, which something the kind of thing these movies really need right now. I can't say the same about Overcomer though, as it feels like their first really phoned in effort to date.

While it's obvious no one onscreen is really trying with their performances, the real problem with the movie is the script. There are some effectively emotional moments, but no real depth. That's because the Kendrick's never went the extra mile to flesh out any of the characters. Not even the titular "overcomer" herself played by Aryn Wright-Thompson, who is oddly sidelined for the first half of the movie and never actually explored even when her problems do finally take center stage despite this supposedly being her story. Instead they just pulled a bunch of the oldest tricks from the book on how to get the audience all sappy without having to put forth any real effort. It works, but is totally cheap and kind of insulting when you consider how intentionally lazy it feels.

If I had to bet, I would say the Kendrick's decided to not give 100% to this one because they realized the hardcore evangelicals that have been keeping this genre afloat for years now without even a hint of constructive criticism were going to support it no matter what. Which highlights one of the biggest problems with Christian filmmaking. Why are the people behind these movies ever going to try and fix the flaws that now serve as an expected part of these experiences when they're going to be met with blind devotion no matter what? Call me crazy, but I think God deserves better from our onscreen attempts at worship so it's high time we the audience demanded improvement.

Even Overcomer's religious element itself is a step from their earlier works. Where films like Courageous and War Room offered real world applications of faith to help with things in everyday life like marriage and parenting, this is a straight up Sunday school lesson on salvation. Don't really see how that's going to help those watching this as they are either already converted, or are going to be too angry with the mediocrity the Kendrick's served up here to pay attention to it.

There is one thing they got right though, and that's the running. Cross country is the kind of sport that's hard to carry a movie on, and you can see that here. However, when the final race arrives it's just as big and powerful as any football or basketball match you'd see at the end of some other sports flick. As a runner myself, I can tell you that they did a wonderful job at capturing the mentality and strategy needed to compete for long distances like that. Something that alone made this a movie I genuinely enjoyed, despite what a disingenuous cash grab it is overall.

5.5/10… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SirFaulty

Sep 26, 2019

Please stahp! Propaganda film is abysmal on all levels. Don't waste your precious time on this mumbo-jumbo.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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