Bart Millard, the lead singer of MercyMe, grew up in Greenville, Texas, in a household where he faced physical and emotional abuse from his father, Arthur. As he matures, Bart discovers his singing talent and meets music industry veteran Brickell, who helps him pursue his passion.
Despite being raised with a heavy dose of Bible-thumping from his mother, Bart's relationship with his father becomes increasingly difficult over time, particularly after he gains popularity with MercyMe. Arthur, who initially ridicules Bart's aspirations of becoming a singer, eventually expresses regret for his actions.
The unexpected death of Bart's father leads him to a journey of forgiveness and closure. He writes the song "I Can Only Imagine" as a way to come to terms with his pain and find hope in the afterlife.
The success of the song not only catapults MercyMe's career but also inspires countless people worldwide. The movie delves into themes of forgiveness, healing, and redemption and features stars such as J. Michael Finley as Bart and Dennis Quaid as Arthur.