King Richard
Performance & Direction: King Richard Review
Last updated: February 18, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is King Richard (2021) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and King Richard features a noteworthy lineup led by Will Smith . Supported by the likes of Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Saniyya Sidney , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: King Richard
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2021, King Richard is a Drama, History film directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Will Smith.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. The story of how Richard Williams served as a coach to his daughters Venus and Serena, who will soon become two of the most legendary tennis players in history. The screenplay takes time to develop Will Smith's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The protagonist, portrayed by Will Smith, undergoes a meaningful transformation, with their journey feeling earned and emotionally resonant. Supporting characters are well-developed, each serving a purpose in the narrative.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Thematic Depth
The film delves into universal human experiences including love, loss, identity, and belonging. It holds up a mirror to society, asking difficult questions about morality, choice, and consequence.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Exceptional storytelling that balances entertainment with substance
- Strong performances, especially from Will Smith, that bring depth to the characters
- Technical excellence in cinematography, editing, and sound design
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Minor pacing issues that do not significantly detract from the experience
- A few underdeveloped subplots
Ending Explained: King Richard
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, King Richard resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Will Smith, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of King Richard demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
King Richard Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
King Richard draws heavily from documented historical records. As a drama, history film directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Will Smith's character.
Historical Context
The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
The production demonstrates respect for its source material, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: King Richard successfully translates real events into compelling cinema. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch King Richard?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Drama cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate emotionally resonant character studies and meaningful themes
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Box Office Collection: King Richard
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $50.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $39.4M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
King Richard Budget
The estimated production budget for King Richard is $50.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: King Richard
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Where to Watch King Richard Online?
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YouTubeKing Richard Parents Guide & Age Rating
2021 AdvisoryWondering about King Richard age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of King Richard is 144 minutes (2h 24m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.6/10, and global performance metrics, King Richard is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2021 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is King Richard worth watching?
King Richard is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.6/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find King Richard parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for King Richard identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of King Richard?
The total duration of King Richard is 144 minutes, which is approximately 2h 24m long.
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Critic Reviews for King Richard
As to the acting, it was great! The biopic was about the family and the inception of greatness. It took the word "humble" to a new level. As i see it, it is a exceptional performance by all the actors. Note: Very little of the film is about the mechanics of tennis but more about the struggle to envision a dream and chase it down. Will Smith (King Ricard) is ready for a nomination. Hats off to the girls (Singleton) and (Sidney) for strong performances. I hope the Real World Williams Family enjoyed the film. Thanks for all the hard work in and off the courts. Inspired by all.
FULL SPOILERF-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/king-richard-spoiler-free-review "King Richard is not only one of my favorite movies of the year, but it's also one of the best biopics I've ever witnessed. The subject matter may speak more to me than to the average moviegoer due to my emotional connection to the sport, but it's the captivating story about a dedicated, loving father that ultimately grabs the viewers. Will Smith delivers one of the best performances of his career, as do Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton. The sport is exceptionally explored, taking the audience through the immense sacrifice a player needs to go through to become one of the very best. Technically, all filmmaking elements work together perfectly to demonstrate the physical and mental effort that tennis requires, dedicating a surprising amount of screentime to practices and matches. Nevertheless, the thematically rich screenplay surrounding family, self-belief, and parenthood takes the spotlight. I don't have a single bad comment to make about Reinaldo Marcus Green's film. Deserves all of the awards buzz it's inevitably going to receive. Don't you dare miss it!" Rating: A
King Richard feels a little too gentle with a favourable look at a key figure in the careers of two of the most significant tennis players the world has seen. The script starts off intending this to be a feel good story though it’s not without some dark moments. It’s immediately a folksy good hearted angle for Wiliams Snr. He’s determined yet kind hearted. It’s a favourable view, but calls critics of that can be told thatAfrican American people could be cut a little slack. There’s no doubting the spirit behind the film. Smith’s performance is as sincere as the character is. The rest of the cast as the family and coaching staff are just as good with their performances. It’s a feel good film to be sure, but the thing about feel good films is that they make you feel good.
This is a top notch biopic. The acting and the pacing are first-class. Admittedly, being a Florida tennis player puts the film a little closer to my heart, but still, it's a touching look at how much a parent can give so his kids have a better life. Well worth the long running time.
_King Richard_ is a heartfelt biopic that shows the rise of the triumphant Williams sisters, and the film is triumphant on all fronts. I thought it did a great job showing the trials and tribulations of reaching the top of any sport, while also showing the side of a father wanting to protect his black children in a white man's world. It struck a really nice balance that felt genuine. Will Smith is excellent in this role, one of his best in years. I can see why he was slam dunk to earn best actor at the Golden Globes. The rest of the cast did excellent as well, I was really impressed with the two girls and Jon Bernthal. Bernthal has such a diverse range for acting, he severely underrated in Hollywood. This film was a joy to watch, and I highly recommend. **Score:** _90%_ **Verdict:** _Excellent_
Super well-done, didn't realize that the father was *this* involved nor that their family placed such a focus on education. Shame that the film now has a huge asterisk next to it thanks to Will Smith's behavior.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.










