Abhiroop Das
Helmed by Alex Kendrick, ‘Overcomer’ tells the story of John Harrison, a basketball coach who is forced to pivot to the school’s cross-country program. With only a single student named Hannah Scott signing, things look even more dire, and both characters wonder if a victory is even possible. However, from there, the sports drama movie delves deeper into Hannah’s life, revealing a traumatic past that has seeped into a problematic present. Her struggles with identity take a physical form through her performance on the field, which makes her desire to win all the more potent. With the help of her loved ones, including John, Hannah begins a path of self-discovery and improvement, bringing her faith into the equation as both a healing agent and a reminder of the true meaning of life that she wishes to actualize.
Hannah Scott is a Fictional Racer Potentially Referencing Real-Life Athletes With Asthma
Hannah Scott is a character invented by writers Alex and Stephen Kendrick solely for the purpose of the movie. In an interview with The Christian Broadcasting Network, he explained that he was primarily inspired by one of his children’s cross-country events in 2011. After seeing many fathers coach, support, and encourage their children, Kendrick recalled a bible scripture where Paul likened life to a race, further broadening the idea. This potential merger of sports and faith narratives gestated in his mind and later led to the creation of Hannah as a fictional figure who encompasses the themes through both her actions and relationships. While the larger plot beats of the movie are fictional in nature, they are consistent with how the Kendrick brothers employ realistic storytelling to showcase the positive impact Christian thought and values can have on one’s life.
Although Hannah’s arc is broadly inspired by Alex Kendrick’s personal experiences, she shares some striking similarities with real-life cross-country runners who also have asthma. As such, there is a slim possibility that her character was partially inspired by athletes such as Reilly Price and Carly Flake. Price was diagnosed with asthma at the age of thirteen, but didn’t let it stop her love for sports. She went on to become the captain of her school’s cross-country team and has learned to manage her symptoms through both medically recommended measures and personal discipline. Athlete Carry Flake has a similar story behind her success as a cross-country racer, and it is possible that the writing team incorporated parts of these real-life tales into Hannah’s life. However, Alex and Stephen Kendrick have not attributed Hannah’s construction to any real-life antecedent as of writing, making it possible that linkages between the two are just coincidental in nature.
Actor Aryn Wright-Thompson Breathes Life Into Hannah Scott
Much of Hannah’s believability as a character in ‘Overcome’ stems from how she carves out her own niche in society, which is reflected in the subtler nuances of her portrayal. While actor Aryn Wright-Thompson, who essays the role, has described filming as a process that was as formative as it was challenging, the character also has various elements she could relate to from the outset. In an interview with Girlz 4 Christ, she spoke about the similarities between their respective journeys, stating, “I think that we are alike in the sense that we are both unsure. I had not always been sure of myself or my purpose. Spending time getting to know God and the love he has for me and all of us has given me the confidence to follow my dreams, and I know who I am in Christ. That’s a big deal.” To that end, Wright-Thompson’s faith is one of the many building blocks in Hannah’s seamless transition from script to screen.
Although Hannah isn’t modeled after any particular real-life athlete, Wright-Thompson went above and beyond with her physical training to make her portrayal more authentic. She recalled running an average of 3 miles a day, a number which rose to 7 miles a day when filming climactic outdoor sequences. She further revealed that the people she ran with, both in the movie and outside of it, were real cross-country runners who helped and encouraged her every step of the way. As such, Hannah’s athleticism is molded by real-life runners as well as the actor’s dedication to her craft. This connection also runs on a psychological level, as Wright-Thompson has talked about identifying with the valuable lessons her character learns along the way. This lines up with what she expressed to Christian Broadcasting Network, stating, “When Hannah (…) was learning about her identity, I was kind of learning with her that I don’t have to know anybody else.”
