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What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

Rise (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Rise (2022) movie poster

Rise is a 2022 biographical drama starring Dayo Okeniyi as Charles Antetokounmpo, Yetide Badaki and McColm Cephas Jr.. It earned $11.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$11.3M
Echo Score
84
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Rise (2022) movie poster
Released
Genres
Biography , Drama , Sport
Original language
English
Studio
Disney+
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Rise About?

The premise of Rise without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Following their family’s struggles as impoverished immigrants in Athens, Greece, brothers Giannis, Thanasis, and Kostas Antetokounmpo find hope and a path forward through basketball. Their talent and dedication quickly emerge as they navigate the challenges of their circumstances and dream of a brighter future, ultimately striving to reach the highest levels of the sport and become NBA champions.

Rise Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • life
  • basketball
  • nba
  • milwaukee bucks
  • reference to giannis antetokounmpo
  • basketball team
  • basketball player
  • professional
  • arena
  • training
  • indoor
  • champion
+38 more
  • ball
  • friend
  • skill
  • speed
  • brother
  • family relationships
  • father
  • mother
  • general manager
  • frustration
  • nigerian
  • children
  • greek
  • talent agent
  • deportation
  • basketball sport
  • career
  • journey
  • black
  • child
  • based on real people
  • docudrama drama
  • police
  • manager
  • jersey
  • basketball jersey
  • based on real person
  • 2010s
  • year 2013
  • year 1990
  • year 2004
  • year 2007
  • subtitled scene
  • job
  • year 2017
  • 1990s
  • 2000s
  • based on true story
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Cast & crew

Rise Cast & Characters

Dayo Okeniyi leads the cast as Charles Antetokounmpo, with Yetide Badaki as Veronika Antetokounmpo and McColm Cephas Jr. as Young Giannis.

Also Starring in Rise

· 6 more
Ratings

Rise Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Rise 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in story & flow (70).

84 /100

Rise Echo Score Breakdown

Rise delivers a heartfelt family drama anchored by confident direction and strong performances, while its inspirational narrative resonates with many viewers. Critics commend the film’s visual execution and the chemistry among the Antetokounmpo brothers, yet they note a reliance on familiar biopic beats and occasional cliché dialogue. The sensory elements, including a spirited soundtrack, support the emotional core without overwhelming it. Overall, the film’s uplifting message and solid craftsmanship outweigh its predictability, resulting in a commendable but not flawless viewing experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 86

    In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from Akin Omotoso's assured direction and vivid cinematography that captures the journey from Lagos to Athens. Production design convincingly renders diverse settings, and the editing maintains a measured pace that lets emotional moments breathe. Critics highlight the thrilling courtside footage and a low‑key tonal balance, reinforcing the overall technical competence of the picture.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, the ensemble delivers nuanced performances that convey familial love and ambition. The brothers' chemistry is praised as authentic, and the supporting cast adds depth to the immigrant experience. Reviewers repeatedly cite the poignant acting and the film’s ability to evoke empathy, indicating that character work is a decisive strength of the production.

  • Story & Flow 70

    Story and flow receive mixed feedback: the narrative’s inspirational arc is lauded for its clarity and motivational impact, yet several critics point to predictable beats and a cliche‑riddled screenplay. While the plot remains coherent and the pacing generally steady, moments of under‑whelming storytelling and overt sentimentality detract from its originality, resulting in a solid but conventional biopic structure.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    The sensory experience of Rise is characterized by an energetic soundtrack and clear sound design that complement the basketball sequences. Visual style maintains a cohesive aesthetic, with colour palettes that reflect the protagonists’ cultural transitions. Though not a primary focus of commentary, reviewers acknowledge that the audio‑visual elements reinforce the film’s emotional tone without overwhelming the narrative.

  • Rewatch Factor 78

    Rewatch factor is high due to the film’s uplifting message and family‑friendly appeal, encouraging repeat viewings for its motivational themes. Audiences note that the heartfelt climax and relatable characters make the movie memorable, even if some plot elements feel familiar. The overall lasting appeal stems from its inspirational storytelling, granting it a solid replay value despite occasional predictability.

Plot

Rise Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Rise from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1990, Charles and Veronica “Vera” Antetokounmpo, Yetide Badaki, are forced to leave their eldest son Francis in Nigeria while they travel to Greece for a better life. They are unable to get visas due to the political climate and thus have no identification, forcing them to hide. As the family grows over the years, the challenges of immigration, citizenship, and identity compound their daily struggle.

Full summary

The whole story of Rise, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Rise Box Office

Rise grossed $11.3 million worldwide.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$11.3M

International
$11.3M
Videos

Rise Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Rise.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Rise?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the surname of the family at the center of the story?

Details

Rise Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Greek Freak” and “Disney Rise”.

Also known as
  • Greek Freak
  • Disney Rise
  • Άνοδος: Η Ιστορία των Αντετοκούνμπο
  • Superación: La historia de la familia Antetokounmpo
  • ライズ コートに輝いた希望
  • ظهور
  • برخیز
  • Восхождение
  • Rise - La vera storia di Antetokounmpo
  • Rise : La Véritable Histoire des Antetokounmpo
  • Vzestup
  • 王者之路
+10 more
  • 라이즈
  • Wschodząca gwiazda
  • Felemelkedés
  • صعود
  • Vzostup
  • Uspon
  • רייז: הסיפור של משפחת אנטטוקומפו
  • ライズ~コートに輝いた希望
  • Envol
  • Pakilti

Seen Rise?

FAQ

Rise FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Release Date

Release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Rise, each answered in a sentence.

When was Rise released?

Rise was released on June 24, 2022.

Who is in the cast of Rise?

Rise stars Dayo Okeniyi as Charles Antetokounmpo, Yetide Badaki as Veronika Antetokounmpo and McColm Cephas Jr. as Young Giannis, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Rise make at the box office?

Rise grossed $11.3 million worldwide.

How is Rise rated?

Rise has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.

Does Rise have a post-credit scene?

No. Rise has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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