I Can Only Imagine 2 Review
I Can Only Imagine 2 (2026) Film Review, a movie directed by Andrew Erwin and Brent Mccorkie and starring John Michael Finley, Dennis Quaid, Milo Ventimiglia, Trace Adkins, Sammy Dell, Sophie Skelton, Arielle Kebbel, Jobie James, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Jason Burkey, Nicole DuPort, Island Austin, Randy McDowell, Abby Glover, Mark Furze, Aaron Benward, Victoria Cabral and Maddie Cravens.
Filmmakers Andrew Erwin and Brent Mccorkie bring the father character of Arthur (Dennis Quaid) from 2018’s I Can Only Imagine back in flashbacks showcased in the new sequel, I Can Only Imagine 2. Eight years seems like a long time to wait for a sequel, but time moves so fast and the original is as fresh in my mind now as it was when it first came out which is a testament to how good it was. I Can Only Imagine 2 brings the topics of father/son relationships, music and finding the purpose in our lives back into the equation with a beautifully rendered follow-up film to a movie that packed quite a wallop with movie-goers when it was released.
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Based on the lead singer of MercyMe, Bart Milliard (John Michael Finley)’s relationship with his diabetic son, Sam (well played by the talented Sammy Dell), this new film is moving in its analysis of the problems that come up in Bart’s life and how his family must cope with some difficult decisions which are made along the way on the path to finding true happiness. Those scenes between Bart and Arthur are well directed and Quaid, as always, brings earnestness to his difficult, but important, role in the story line. There is also the addition of Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia, always reliable), a man who finds out he has serious health issues that could impact his ability to bring music to life the way he desires to. Arielle Kebbel ably plays Hilary, Tim’s significant other who stands by his side during difficult times and challenges.
Sophie Skelton is well-cast as Shannon who is Bart’s rock in his life. Shannon has a lot of heartbreak in this movie and Skelton captures her character’s essence very well, making us care for her in the dramatic scenes within the picture. John Michael Finley is very relatable as well as Bart tries to find a way to include his son in his own personal dreams even though Sam is going through a lot of health difficulties that could challenge the dream that Bart has set out before himself and his fellow musicians.
I Can Only Imagine 2 has a wonderfully touching ending that includes the song, “Outro” by M83, a song which is now, and has always been, quite inspirational. Finley is also a talented actor who performs another song that was created for Tim so beautifully at the picture’s climax. Ventimiglia is emotionally complex in his sensitive performance here as we watch his character stumble through some mistakes until he is ultimately faced with a crisis that could stand in the way of him having any sort of future at all. Tim jokes around at times, but always remains dedicated to Bart who forms a believably portrayed bond with Tim right before our eyes.
This new movie examines the difficulty of creating music that is both healing and inspirational, but also the importance of bringing such music to people who may need faith and direction in their own lives. Life is a difficult journey and the way the movie portrays love and family is just as important as the way it brings its music to life. Quaid and viewers’ memories of his compelling performance in the first film shape the way the new film develops its carefully constructed story. The directors are heartfelt in the way they show Quaid’s characters flaws as well as his strengths.
Finley and Ventimiglia are the two biggest assets of I Can Only Imagine 2 as their characters represent the quest for strength to bring to life music that can help re-enforce the healing power of faith. Ventimiglia’s Tim suffers immensely, but there’s a purpose to that suffering because Bart never turns his back on him as a friend and ultimately helps redeem him as both characters find salvation as a result.
This isn’t a perfect movie, but it’s a perfectly inspirational one for what it does achieve. I Can Only Imagine 2 ties things up a little too neatly at the end with messages about how the real-life characters are doing now in their lives, but it didn’t have to do that. This movie’s message of hope, faith and redemption rings loud and clear on its own and it’s easy to overlook any lulls in the pacing that may be found at certain intervals in this movie.
I Can Only Imagine 2 is the type of movie that can help shed light on the fact that we live in a world where we can all serve a greater purpose if we push ourselves just a little harder. This film’s greatest achievement is the way it shows how the bond between family members and friends can do so much to elevate the human spirit. I Can Only Imagine 2 will help viewers look at the bright side of life and search, within themselves, to try to find that strength that will make them move on and prosper even when things seem hopeless. We need more movies like this.
Rating: 7.5/10
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