King Richard
A father's unyielding plan to shape his daughters into tennis champions drives this biographical drama about ambition, family, and the price of greatness.
Where to watch online
Official services. The link goes straight to this film.
Availability data by JustWatch
About the film
Venus. Serena. The path to the top
What it’s about
In Compton, 1988, Richard Williams has a detailed plan for his five daughters, focusing on eight-year-old Venus and seven-year-old Serena. He and his wife Brandy know little about professional tennis training, but they coach the girls themselves, teaching technique as best they can. Richard convinces renowned coach Paul Cohen to give Venus free lessons, then records the sessions so Brandy can train Serena at home.
What hooks you
Will Smith won the Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild Award for his portrayal of Richard Williams. Saniyya Sidney, who plays Venus, had to learn tennis right-handed despite being left-handed, training intensively and studying footage of the real Venus. The film also received an Oscar nomination for Best Editing.
Who it’s for
It is a good pick for those who enjoy true stories of determination and family bonds, and for viewers interested in the making of sports legends.
- Country
- United States
- Year
- 2021
- Running time
- 2h 24min
- Age rating
- 12+
- MPAA
- PG-13
- World premiere
- Sep 2, 2021
Ratings
MOVIE․ONE · 212 votesCreative team
All 13-
01
Will Smith
Richard Williams
-
02
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Oracene "Brandy" Williams (credited as: Aunjanue Ellis)
-
03
Dylan McDermott
Actor
-
04
Saniyya Sidney
Venus Williams
-
05
Liev Schreiber
Paul Cohen
-
06
Demi Singleton
Serena Williams
-
07
Jon Bernthal
Rick Macci
-
08
Erin Cummings
Actor
-
09
Tony Goldwyn
Paul Cohen
-
10
Susie Abromeit
Robin Finn
-
11
Sophia Bui
Actor
-
12
Mikayla LaShae Bartholomew
Tunde Price (credited as: Mikayla LaShae Bartholomew)
Trivia
- As a token of gratitude, Will Smith shared $40 million of his own fee for the film among the other actors involved in the film.
- Saniyye Sidney – a left-hander who had never played tennis before – had to learn to play tennis, and with her right hand, the way Venus Williams plays. The training regimen was very strict; she trained Monday through Friday, all the while on a diet and doing general physical conditioning, and also spent long hours studying recordings of Venus Williams' performances at major competitions.
- Due to restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the script reading was conducted via the Zoom service.
Awards and nominations
5 wins · 12 nominations
- 1 win Academy Awards
- 1 win Golden Globe Awards
- 1 win BAFTA Awards
- 1 win Screen Actors Guild Awards
- 1 win Golden Raspberry Awards
- Best Actor Will Smith Academy Awards · 2022
- Best Actor (Drama) Will Smith Golden Globe Awards · 2022
- Best Actor Will Smith BAFTA Awards · 2022
- Best Actor Will Smith Screen Actors Guild Awards · 2022
- Redeemer Award Will Smith Golden Raspberry Awards · 2022
Reviews
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King Richard (2021)
King Richard
2021
King Richard
2021
King Richard
2021