Simone Biles Rising – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Simone Biles Rising

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2024

82%

WISE Score

The GOAT gets real about mental health, pressure, and coming back stronger—a must-watch documentary that goes way beyond gymnastics.

Simone Biles Rising

show

TV-14, 2024

82%

WISE Score

The GOAT gets real about mental health, pressure, and coming back stronger—a must-watch documentary that goes way beyond gymnastics.

Jump to

Also rated on

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

This is the rare documentary that transcends its subject matter. Yes, it's about gymnastics and the Paris Olympics, but it's really about mental health, boundaries, and what it means to be human under impossible pressure.

Simone Biles is an incredible role model here—not because she's perfect, but because she's willing to show when she's not. The footage of her struggling with the 'twisties' and making the gutsy call to step back in Tokyo is powerful stuff. For teens dealing with their own pressure cookers (school, sports, social media), this is essential viewing.

The documentary is well-made, moves at a good pace, and doesn't overstay its welcome. It's current (2024), relevant, and features one of the most famous athletes in the world being genuinely vulnerable. That's rare and valuable.

Common Sense's 14+ rating is spot-on. Younger kids won't get it, but teens and adults will find it enriching and honestly pretty inspiring without being cheesy about it.

Age Fit

Best for ages 12-14+ and honestly, adults will get a ton out of this too. Younger kids won't have the emotional maturity or context to fully appreciate what Biles went through, but teens and parents will find it genuinely moving and educational.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Documentary authentically portrays Biles' journey with mental health, showing vulnerability, resilience, and healthy coping mechanisms. Models emotional maturity, self-advocacy, and the importance of prioritizing wellbeing over external pressure. Tone is respectful and supportive throughout.

Imaginative

As a documentary, it's not designed to spark creative play or imagination in the traditional sense. However, it does invite viewers to think differently about success, mental health, and redefining what 'winning' means. The behind-the-scenes access to Olympic training offers some insight into elite athletics that might inspire athletic pursuits.

Safe

Documentary format means no gratuitous content, violence, or inappropriate material. Mental health discussions are handled maturely and constructively. Common Sense Media rates it 14+, likely due to the emotional weight of mental health topics and pressure surrounding elite competition. No significant safety concerns, though younger viewers may find some emotional moments intense.

Enriching

Exceptional educational value around mental health, resilience, setting boundaries, and athlete advocacy. Provides real-world example of prioritizing wellbeing over achievement. Strong role modeling from Biles about speaking up, seeking help, and returning on her own terms. Metacritic score of 79 and IMDb 7.3 suggest solid critical reception. Offers meaningful insights into pressure, performance, and personal growth.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Simone Biles is incredibly candid about her mental health journey, the 'twisties,' and why she stepped back at Tokyo 2020—this is the kind of vulnerability that normalizes asking for help
Perfect for teens navigating pressure, perfectionism, and performance anxiety in their own lives (sports, academics, social media)
Shows what real resilience looks like: not pushing through at all costs, but knowing when to pause, regroup, and return on your own terms
Behind-the-scenes access to Olympic training and preparation is genuinely fascinating for anyone interested in elite athletics
Strong critical reception (Metacritic 79, IMDb 7.3) suggests it's well-made and engaging, not just inspiring fluff

⚠

What to Watch For

Rated 14+ for good reason—discussions of intense pressure, mental health struggles, and the weight of public scrutiny may be heavy for younger viewers
Some kids under 12 might not have enough context about the Tokyo Olympics controversy or understand why Biles' decisions were so significant
If your teen is already dealing with performance anxiety or pressure, this could be therapeutic OR potentially triggering—know your kid

Conversation Starters

"What did you think about Simone's decision to step back at the Tokyo Olympics? Would that have been hard for you to do?"
"Have you ever felt pressure to keep going with something even when it didn't feel right? What happened?"
"Simone talks a lot about the 'twisties'—when her mind and body weren't connecting. Have you ever experienced something like that?"
"What does 'winning' mean to you? Is it always about coming in first place?"
"How do you think social media and public attention affected Simone's mental health? Do you ever feel that kind of pressure online?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic