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The original I Can Only Imagine, released in 2018, chronicled the rise of Christian rock band MercyMe. The emotional story of lead vocalist and songwriter Bart Millard (J. Michael Finley) overcoming a rough childhood to find his true voice was a big enough hit to spawn a sequel. While lacking the laser-sharp focus of the first film, I Can Only Imagine 2 is nearly as gripping as it follows Millard’s career after the massive success of MercyMe’s breakthrough hit.
The original was primarily a story of a single parent, the emotionally and physically abusive Arthur (Dennis Quaid), struggling to raise his son. After his wife (Bart’s mother) abandons the family, Arthur’s destructive tendencies go unchecked. After a brief flirtation with football ends due to injury, young Bart discovers the joys of singing and performing. Quaid’s sensational performance drove the first movie and he does return for a brief cameo in the second.
I Can Only Imagine 2 does not have as direct a through-line as its predecessor. Bart and his band, along with their grizzled manager Scott (Trace Adkins), continue to tour to sellout crowds. But clearly the success of their signature song, “I Can Only Imagine,” can only take them so far. They need to generate similarly strong material to sustain longterm audience interest. Enter Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia), a burgeoning singer-songwriter. Tim will serve as MercyMe’s opening act—and provide unexpected inspiration when Bart most needs it.
The parallel story involves Bart’s teenage son Sam (Sammy Dell), whose struggle with Type 1 diabetes weighs heavily on his parents’ minds. Sam hits the road with MercyMe, initially as a stagehand, but Bart finds himself fighting a path that could potentially lead him down the dark road of becoming his father. Finley delivers another sturdy turn as Bart, but Ventimiglia is the standout this time. He disappears fully into the character, emphasizing Tim’s innate ability to inspire the very best in Sam even as his father doubts his capabilities.
Unfortunately, the men’s spouses (Sophie Skelton steps in as Bart’s wife Shannon, while Arielle Kebbel potrays Tim’s wife Hilary) are scarcely part of the proceedings. If there’s a downside to the otherwise uplifting Imagine 2, it’s that the women in these men’s lives are given short shrift. Screenwriter and co-director (along with Andrew Erwin) Brent McCorkle paints this world as a patriarchal boys’ club.
The Lionsgate Blu-ray edition of I Can Only Imagine 2 is outfitted with a robust roster of special features. In addition to audio commentary with co-directors McCorkle and Erwin, there’s a separate commentary track featuring the real Bart Millard and Tim Timmons. Nearly a half-hour of deleted scenes will keep fans busy, along with five featurettes exploring various aspects of the production.
