The Miracle Season follows Kelley Fliehler, a high school volleyball player in Iowa City, after her best friend and team captain, Caroline “Line” Found, dies in a moped crash. The team has lost its leader just as a new season begins. Kelley and coach Kathy Bresnahan try to bring the players back to practice and help them face their grief. The story moves from sadness toward a hopeful push for another state title. Bresnahan asks Kelley to lead the team and keep playing in Line’s memory. The players work through hard practices and slowly regain confidence together. Line’s father, Ernie, also turns to faith as he grieves for Line and his wife. Before the final game, Bresnahan calls the players “strong women” and tells them to win for themselves. That brief praise of women sits within a story about grief, friendship, and team effort.
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Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for The Miracle Season.
Woke representation / casting
Erin Moriarty links the team’s story to women organizing during #MeToo. She hopes the film will help bring more female-led stories to Hollywood. Danika Yarosh calls for wider recognition of women in the industry.
20%
Woke political dialogue
Coach Bresnahan calls the players “strong women” before the championship. She tells them to win the game for themselves. The pep talk gives the sports story one brief gender empowerment message.
11%
Identity-driven story themes
Kelley takes over as captain after Line dies. The players return to the court and chase a state title through shared effort. Coach Bresnahan calls them “strong women” and tells them to win for themselves.
14%
Western institutional / cultural critique
Not present. Ernie and Alex support Kelley and the team.
0%
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant. The film adds Kelley’s boyfriend, but the real players keep their identities.
0%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Not present. Public attention centered on the team, the real story, and the film’s reviews.
0%
Creator track record context
Producer Pete Shilaimon has financed films about trans people, people who do not identify only as male or female, queer couples, abortion, and feminism. Producer Mickey Liddell has backed queer stories and films about social issues. Casting director Candice Elzinga has supported diversity efforts and more women directors. Director Sean McNamara and both writers have little reported activist work.
26%
Production
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