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Characters & Themes

The Miracle Season (2018) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 101 min · English
Echo score 51
JustWatch #23,606 1
Directed by
Sean McNamara
Starring
William Hurt, Rebecca Staab, Burkely Duffield, Helen Hunt, Jason Gray-Stanford, Erin Moriarty

Following a heartbreaking loss, a high school volleyball team finds strength and determination through their passionate coach, Kathy Bresnahan. The team unites to honor a fallen teammate, battling grief and formidable opponents as they strive for the state championship. Their journey explores themes of resilience, friendship, and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (2)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like The Miracle Season
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Miracle Season (2018)

Where can you watch The Miracle Season? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Angel Studios, Fawesome and Kanopy: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

The Miracle Season Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Miracle Season (2018), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Caroline Found

    played by Danika Yarosh

    Caroline 'Line' Found is the spirited captain of the volleyball team, whose passion and leadership inspire her teammates and community. Her untimely death leaves a deep void, yet her personality continues to motivate others as they strive to honor her legacy. Line's warmth and drive embody the ideals of friendship and determination.

    • 🏐 Volleyball
    • 🌟 Leadership
    • 💔 Legacy
  • Kelley Fliehler

    played by Erin Moriarty

    Kelley Fliehler is Line's best friend and the team's new setter after Line's tragic passing. Initially overwhelmed by the mantle of leadership, she grows into her role, proving her worth to the team. Kelley's journey of self-discovery highlights themes of resilience and the struggle to cope with personal loss.

    • 💪 Strength
    • 🏐 Volleyball
    • 🌱 Growth
  • Coach Kathy Bresnahan

    played by Helen Hunt

    Coach Kathy Bresnahan is the dedicated and supportive figure who guides the Trojans through their grief and strives to keep the team united. Her determination to honor Line's memory drives her coaching style, instilling hope and resilience in her players. Kathy represents the unwavering support needed in times of crisis.

    • 👩‍🏫 Coaching
    • ⚽ Discipline
    • 💖 Support
  • Ernie Found

    played by William Hurt

    Ernie Found is Caroline's father, deeply affected by the loss of both his daughter and wife. His grief shapes the emotional landscape of the film, serving as a poignant reminder of family bonds and the shared journey through loss. Ernie's role provides depth to the theme of mourning within the community.

    • 👨‍👧 Family
    • 💔 Grief
    • 👴 Mourning

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:16

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Setting

Where and When Does The Miracle Season Take Place?

The setting of The Miracle Season (2018): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie takes place in contemporary times, reflecting the challenges faced by high school students today. It seamlessly blends themes of sports, community, and personal tragedy, demonstrating the real-life struggles of youth.

Location

Iowa City, Iowa

Iowa City is known for its vibrant community and historic significance as a college town. The setting of the movie revolves around Iowa City West High School, where the local heroes, the Trojans, strive for athletic excellence and unity. The town's spirit is deeply interconnected with the high school volleyball team.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🏫 School

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:16

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2 major themes

The Miracle Season Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Miracle Season (2018) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Loss

    The theme of loss is central to the movie as it explores the profound grief experienced by Caroline's friends and family after her tragic passing. Their journey through mourning serves as a reflection of how communities can come together to cope with heartache. This emotional upheaval ultimately drives the narrative forward, shaping the characters' development and resilience.

  • Perseverance

    Perseverance is showcased through the volleyball team's journey toward the state championship. Despite facing overwhelming grief and pressure, the players strive to honor Line's memory and push through challenges. Their determination exemplifies the power of teamwork and the human spirit in overcoming adversity.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:16

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Character & theme questions

The Miracle Season Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Miracle Season (2018): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The movie is set in Iowa City, Iowa, specifically at Iowa City West High School. The local community is deeply connected to the school's athletics, particularly the volleyball team known as the Trojans. This Midwestern college town provides the backdrop for the team's journey toward the state championship.

  • iowa city
  • iowa city west high
  • trojans
  • volleyball
  • setting
Q2

What high school is featured in the film?

The film takes place at Iowa City West High School, where the Trojan volleyball team plays. The school and its volleyball program serve as the central setting, representing both the athletic ambitions of the students and the community hub that brings people together.

  • iowa city west high
  • trojans
  • high school
  • volleyball team
Q3

When does the story take place?

The movie is set in contemporary times, reflecting the modern challenges faced by high school students. While no specific year is given, the story captures current-day issues including youth athletics, community dynamics, and personal tragedy in a present-day American high school environment.

  • contemporary
  • modern
  • high school
  • present day
Q4

What are the main themes of the movie?

The two central themes are loss and perseverance. The film explores how a community copes with profound grief after a tragic death, while also depicting the volleyball team's determination to honor their fallen teammate by continuing to compete. These themes interweave to create a story about resilience and the power of teamwork.

  • loss
  • perseverance
  • grief
  • resilience
  • teamwork
  • themes
Q5

How does the movie handle grief and loss?

The film places grief at its emotional center, showing how Caroline Found's tragic death affects her teammates, coach, and family. Rather than avoiding the heavy subject matter, the story confronts loss directly and shows how the grieving community comes together to support one another through their shared sorrow.

  • grief
  • loss
  • mourning
  • community
  • emotional
Q6

How is perseverance portrayed in the film?

Perseverance is shown through the volleyball team's decision to continue playing after their captain's death. Despite overwhelming grief and pressure, the players push through challenges to compete in the state championship. Their journey demonstrates how determination and teamwork can help overcome devastating personal loss.

  • perseverance
  • championship
  • volleyball
  • determination
  • state finals
Q7

Who was Caroline 'Line' Found?

Caroline Found, nicknamed 'Line,' was the passionate captain of the Iowa City West High School volleyball team. Her leadership and spirit inspired teammates and the broader community. Her untimely death leaves a deep void, but her warmth and drive continue to motivate others throughout the film as they honor her legacy.

  • caroline found
  • line
  • team captain
  • volleyball leader
Q8

Who is Kelley Fliehler?

Kelley Fliehler is Caroline's best friend who assumes the role of team setter after Caroline's passing. Initially overwhelmed by suddenly having to lead, she grows into her position and proves her value to the team. Her journey represents resilience and the personal growth that can emerge from coping with loss.

  • kelley fliehler
  • setter
  • best friend
  • team leader
  • growth
Q9

Who is Coach Kathy Bresnahan?

Coach Kathy Bresnahan is the dedicated coach of the Trojan volleyball team who guides her players through their grief. Her determination to honor Caroline's memory shapes her coaching approach, providing unwavering support and hope during the team's most difficult moments. She represents the stable guidance needed in times of crisis.

  • kathy bresnahan
  • coach
  • mentor
  • support
  • leadership
Q10

Who is Ernie Found?

Ernie Found is Caroline's father, who is deeply affected by the loss of his daughter. Having also lost his wife, Ernie's grief forms an important part of the film's emotional landscape. His journey illustrates how loss impacts entire families and underscores the theme of shared mourning within a community.

  • ernie found
  • father
  • family
  • grief
  • loss
Q11

How does the movie balance grief with hope?

Despite its heavy subject matter, the film maintains a hopeful tone throughout. The coach's guidance and the team's collective resilience transform grief into motivation. The ultimate championship victory serves as a cathartic celebration that honors Caroline's memory while demonstrating that light can emerge from darkness.

  • hope
  • grief
  • resolution
  • championship
  • tribute
  • emotional journey
Q12

What role does the community play in the story?

The Iowa City community is integral to the narrative, providing support and unity around the volleyball team. The town's spirit becomes interconnected with the team's journey, demonstrating how local communities can rally together in times of tragedy. This collective support helps the characters process their grief while pursuing their athletic goals.

  • iowa city
  • community
  • support
  • town
  • unity
  • local

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Miracle Season, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Miracle Season tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Inspirational Sports Dramas Like The Miracle Season

Teams and individuals transforming profound loss into a collective, determined mission. If you liked The Miracle Season, explore other movies where a team unites after a tragedy. These inspirational sports dramas focus on resilience, mentorship, and honoring a legacy through competition. They blend heavy emotional weight with an ultimately hopeful and triumphant ending, showcasing the power of teamwork to overcome grief.

  • grieving
  • inspiring
  • determined
  • triumphant
  • healing
  • emotional
  • Tone: hopeful, melancholic, triumphant
  • Pacing: steady, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern begins with an equilibrium, often of success or happiness, which is shattered by a sudden tragedy. The central conflict becomes the process of grieving and the struggle to move forward. The plot is driven by a clear, tangible goal (like winning a championship) that serves as a tribute, providing structure and motivation for the characters' emotional healing.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a specific emotional arc: starting with deep sorrow and progressing toward hopeful determination. They combine the high stakes of competition with the profound weight of loss, creating a powerful, uplifting experience centered on resilience and the human capacity to heal through shared purpose.

Emotionally Heavy But Hopeful Movies Like The Miracle Season

Stories that carry deep emotional weight but ultimately leave you feeling hopeful. Discover movies like The Miracle Season that blend a heavy emotional premise with a genuinely hopeful tone. These films often deal with themes of grief, loss, or hardship but focus on recovery, resilience, and positive transformation. If you appreciate stories that are sad yet ultimately uplifting, this thread is for you.

  • uplifting
  • melancholic
  • heartfelt
  • cathartic
  • bittersweet
  • inspiring
  • Tone: hopeful, melancholic, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narratives in this thread typically involve characters facing a major life crisis or loss. The story does not shy away from the pain and difficulty of the situation, exploring the emotional depths realistically. However, the central arc is defined by growth, finding support, and discovering a path forward, leading to a conclusion that affirms life and hope despite the scars.

Why they belong together: These movies are united by their unique tonal blend. They acknowledge the weight of real-world struggles and grief but are fundamentally about the human spirit's capacity for recovery. This creates a specific, resonant viewing experience that is both emotionally impactful and reassuring, offering a sense of catharsis and uplift.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Miracle Season

Similar movies to The Miracle Season: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

The Miracle Season (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Miracle Season in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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