Originally released in theaters in 2019, the film conquered a legion of fans by portraying the trajectory of a teenager who was considered clinically dead after an accident in a frozen lake in the United States.
Now, with a new broadcast on open TV, the feature reappears at a moment when the "Afternoon Session" is experiencing one of its best audience phases in 2026.
What Time Does the Afternoon Session Start Today?
The "Afternoon Session" this Friday airs shortly after a special rerun of the soap opera Terra Nostra in TV Globo's programming. The film is expected to begin around 3:50 PM, following the broadcaster's traditional schedule for afternoon programming.
In recent weeks, the time slot has regained strength in ratings by betting on nostalgic films, family dramas and inspiring productions.
What is the Story of Overcoming: The Miracle of Faith?
The film follows the trajectory of John Smith, a 14-year-old teenager who suffers a serious accident during winter in Missouri, United States. After falling into a frozen lake, the young man remains submerged for several minutes. When he is finally rescued, doctors face enormous difficulties trying to revive him.
The situation becomes even more dramatic when John is declared clinically dead after long minutes without vital signs. It is at this moment that the boy's mother, Joyce Smith, initiates an intense prayer campaign asking for her son's survival.
From there, the film guides the viewer through a story marked by hope, faith and recovery considered unlikely even by healthcare professionals.
Is the Film Based on a True Story?
Yes. One of the factors that most caught the public's attention since the film's release is precisely the fact that the story actually happened in real life. The film adapts the case of John Smith, a teenager who suffered the accident in January 2015. The episode had enormous repercussion in the American press at the time.
According to reports released by hospitals, media vehicles and later by the family itself, John remained submerged in the icy water for approximately 15 minutes. Even after resuscitation attempts, doctors claimed that his condition was practically irreversible.
The case gained notoriety when, after a prayer made by the boy's mother inside the hospital, the teenager's heartbeat returned. The recovery surprised doctors and specialists, mainly because John managed to return to his routine without severe neurological sequelae.
The Debate Between Faith and Science
One of the points that most makes Overcoming: The Miracle of Faith so discussed even today is precisely the debate between science and spirituality. While many people interpret what happened as a true miracle, medical experts point out that the low temperature of the water may have contributed to the teenager's survival.
This phenomenon is known as protective hypothermia. In extremely rare cases, the sharp drop in body temperature drastically reduces brain metabolic activity and can increase survival time during prolonged cardiac arrests. Still, doctors involved in the care confirmed that the recovery was remarkable.
