Rise – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Rise

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2022

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

The Antetokounmpo family's inspiring NBA journey gets the Disney treatment—heartfelt, safe, and exactly as predictable as you'd expect.

7/10

91%

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Rise

movie

PG, 2022

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

The Antetokounmpo family's inspiring NBA journey gets the Disney treatment—heartfelt, safe, and exactly as predictable as you'd expect.

91%

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Screenwise Verdict

Rise is exactly what you think it is: a well-meaning, faith-driven Disney+ sports biopic that hits all the expected beats. The Antetokounmpo family's story is genuinely incredible—immigrant parents, five kids, poverty, racism, and eventually three NBA champions including league MVP Giannis. That's objectively amazing.

The movie itself? Competent, earnest, safe, and predictable. It's not going to surprise you or reinvent the sports-movie wheel. But if you're looking for something genuinely family-friendly that models hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance—and you don't mind some heavy-handed inspiration—this delivers. Kids who love basketball will be more engaged; everyone else might find it a bit slow.

The WISE score reflects that tension: high marks for wholesomeness and safety, solid enrichment value, but limited imagination. It's a good movie that's easy to respect but hard to love unless you're already invested in the Antetokounmpo story or faith-based sports narratives.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media suggests 10+, which feels right for kids who can handle themes of poverty, discrimination, and family struggle without getting scared or overwhelmed. Sports-loving kids as young as 8 could watch with parental context. Teens and adults will appreciate it too if they're into true sports stories, though it won't blow anyone's mind cinematically.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Deeply wholesome family story centered on faith, perseverance, and mutual support. Models strong parental guidance, sibling cooperation, and overcoming adversity through hard work rather than shortcuts. The Antetokounmpo family's journey from poverty in Greece to NBA success is told with emotional authenticity and positive messaging about dedication and belief in oneself.

Imaginative

This is a straightforward biographical sports drama that follows a familiar underdog template. While the true story itself is remarkable, the film doesn't take creative risks with its storytelling—it's conventional Disney+ uplift-sports-movie execution. The imagination lies in the real-life improbability of the story rather than in cinematic innovation or visual creativity.

Safe

Rated PG for thematic elements and brief language. Multiple parent review sources confirm this is genuinely family-friendly with minimal content concerns—less violence than an actual NBA game, no sexual content, and only mild language. Common Sense Media rates it for age 10+, though younger kids could watch with context about immigration struggles and financial hardship.

Enriching

Offers meaningful lessons about immigrant experience, family sacrifice, work ethic, and pursuing dreams despite systemic obstacles. Kids see a real pathway from poverty to success that required years of discipline, not luck. The film addresses racism, xenophobia, and economic hardship in age-appropriate ways. Strong representation for Black and immigrant families. However, it's more instructive than deeply thought-provoking—the lessons are clear and delivered earnestly.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

True underdog story that actually happened—three brothers from one immigrant family all making it to the NBA is genuinely remarkable
Strong positive representation of Black immigrant families, showing sacrifice, faith, and perseverance without sugar-coating the hardship
Teaches kids that success takes years of unglamorous work, not overnight viral fame—a refreshing counter-narrative to social media culture
Genuinely family-safe in a way that's rare for sports movies—you can watch this with your 8-year-old without worrying about content surprises
High critical ratings (91% on Rotten Tomatoes) suggest it's well-executed within its genre

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What to Watch For

Themes of poverty, racism, and xenophobia that younger kids may need context for—the family faces real discrimination and financial desperation
It's earnest and straightforward to a fault—if your kids are used to Marvel-level pacing and humor, this will feel slow and preachy
Very faith-forward (prayer, church, divine providence)—great if that aligns with your family, but it's not subtle about it

Conversation Starters

"The family had to leave Nigeria and then Greece—what do you think was hardest about starting over in a new country each time?"
"Giannis practiced basketball for years before anyone thought he'd be great. What's something you're working on that might take a long time to get good at?"
"How did the parents support all five kids when they were struggling with money? What did they prioritize?"
"The brothers faced racism and were told they didn't belong—how did they handle that? What would you do?"

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