Praise This (2023): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Praise This is a 2023 romantic musical directed by Tina Gordon Chism, starring Anjelika Washington as Jess, Chloe Bailey and Kendrick Cross. Critics gave it 56% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.
- Released
- Director
- Tina Gordon Chism
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Peacock
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Praise This About?
The premise of Praise This without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A young woman pursuing stardom finds her life unexpectedly changed when her family moves from Los Angeles to Atlanta. Relocating to be closer to her cousin Jess, she clashes with her new environment. Joining Jess’s praise team for a national competition, she discovers that genuine success isn't about fame, but about gratitude and the strength of community.
Praise This Themes & Keywords
· 25 tags- choir
- competition
- pastor
- tattoo
- cousin cousin relationship
- atlanta georgia
- bowling alley
- reference to god
- reference to jesus christ
- reference to tiktok
- singing
- dancing
+13 more Show fewer
- co written by director
- underdog
- church
- uncle niece relationship
- aunt niece relationship
- father daughter relationship
- waitress
- bartender
- police officer
- police breaking up a party
- singer
- dancer
- title directed by female
Praise This Cast & Characters
Anjelika Washington leads the cast as Jess, with Chloe Bailey as Sam and Kendrick Cross as Uncle Larry. Directed by Tina Gordon Chism; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Tina Gordon Chism
-
Anjelika Washington as Jess -
Chloe Bailey as Sam - Kendrick Cross as Uncle Larry
- Crystal Renee Hayslett as Natalie
Also Starring in Praise This
· 6 more- Michael Anthony Bishop Headley
- Cocoa Brown Cora
- Rafael Castillo Bodyguard Slim
- Loren Lott Kelly
- Wayne Colley Painted Duck DJ
- Tristan Wilds
More from Tina Gordon Chism
More films directed by Tina Gordon Chism, best-rated first: Little and Peeples.
Praise This Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Praise This 56% on Rotten Tomatoes and 44 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 56/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in story & flow (45).
Praise This Echo Score Breakdown
Praise This delivers a lively musical premise anchored by strong vocal performances, yet its narrative and structural elements feel uneven and formulaic, resulting in a mixed reception. Critics commend the charismatic cast and toe‑tapping soundtrack, while many note repetitive storytelling and inconsistent pacing. Audience reactions echo this split, praising the music and Chloe Bailey’s presence but criticizing plot and character depth. Consequently, the film lands as an average offering with notable strengths offset by notable weaknesses.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 55
In terms of direction and production craft, the film shows competence through Tina Gordon’s energetic staging and polished musical numbers. Critics note a charming ensemble and competent editing that keep sequences lively, yet several reviewers describe the visual approach as formulaic and lacking distinct stylistic flair. The overall art and craft therefore register as adequate but unremarkable.
- Character & Emotion 50
When evaluating performances, the cast delivers enthusiastic musical portrayals, with Chloe Bailey and Anjelika Washington singled out for strong vocals and on‑screen chemistry. Nevertheless, multiple critics and users cite uneven acting, particularly from supporting rappers, and a lack of depth in character development. This blend of standout moments and broader weaknesses yields a moderate character score.
- Story & Flow 45
The narrative follows a conventional underdog musical formula, emphasizing faith‑centered themes but offering limited originality. Reviewers frequently comment on uneven pacing, predictable plot beats, and dialogue that needs refinement, describing the story as both earnest and, at times, sluggish. These observations lead to a below‑average assessment of plot coherence and engagement.
- Sensory Experience 70
The film’s soundtrack blends gospel influences with contemporary hip‑hop beats, producing several catchy numbers that reviewers praise for energy and appeal. Sound design supports the musical numbers, though some critics find the blend uneven and the gospel elements underutilized. Visually, the production maintains a clean aesthetic but lacks distinctive signature. Overall, the sensory experience rates above average.
- Rewatch Factor 60
Rewatch appeal hinges on the film’s infectious music and feel‑good moments, which several viewers cite as reasons to watch repeatedly. Yet the formulaic storyline and inconsistent character arcs diminish long‑term novelty for many audience members. Consequently, the movie offers moderate replay value, attracting fans of the soundtrack while leaving others indifferent.
-
IMDb 5.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 56% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 85%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 44 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 73% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.9 /5
2886 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Praise This Plot Summary
What happens in Praise This from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Atlanta, Georgia’s Praise Team, known as The Oil Factory, faces a tough setback during their inaugural large competition where their conservative preparation backfires, resulting in a rejected performance that sees them booed off the stage. Seeking to regain their footing, they struggle to find a connection with the audience.
Full summary
The whole story of Praise This, scene by scene
Praise This Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 2 featurettes.
- Clip First 5 Minutes
- Featurette A Look Inside Featurette
- Featurette My Universal Story: Mohammad Amireh
How Well Do You Know Praise This?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What city does Sam arrive in after being pulled out of Los Angeles?
Praise This Also Known As
15 alternative titles, including “Untitled Will Packer/Universal Project” and “เสียงสวรรค์ฝันบรรเจิด”.
- Also known as
-
- Untitled Will Packer/Universal Project
- เสียงสวรรค์ฝันบรรเจิด
- 프레이즈 디스
- 赞美
- Mondd, halleluja!
- سام في فرقة الترانيم
- Acertando o Tom
- Boží hlasy
- 讚美
- Хвалу співайте
- הללויה!
- Voce preaslăvită
+3 more Show fewer
- A Voz do Coração
- Ευλόγησον
- प्रेज़ टीम
Seen Praise This?
Movies Like Praise This
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Grace Unplugged, Joyful Noise and Something to Sing About.
Praise This FAQ: Cast, Release Date & Director
Release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Praise This, each answered in a sentence.
When was Praise This released?
Praise This was released on April 7, 2023.
Who directed Praise This?
Praise This was directed by Tina Gordon Chism.
More films by Tina Gordon Chism Who is in the cast of Praise This?
Praise This stars Anjelika Washington as Jess, Chloe Bailey as Sam and Kendrick Cross as Uncle Larry, among 10 credited actors.
How is Praise This rated?
Praise This has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 56% on Rotten Tomatoes, 44 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.
Does Praise This have a post-credit scene?
No. Praise This has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
