King Richard

Will Smith as Richard Williams is not what I expected, and that's a compliment. The movie dives into the story behind Venus and Serena Williams' rise, from the Compton tennis courts to the world stage, all seen through the lens of their fiercely stubborn, utterly flawed, and deeply loving father. There's something oddly loveable about Richard as portrayed here. He’s infuriating but impossible to look away from.

What the film nailed is a sense of sweaty, everyday hustle. Even the tennis scenes are unglamorous. Neighborhood kids holler insults, the courts are battered, and we are constantly reminded just how unlikely the sisters' path really was. It's not a sports biopic so much as a family drama in disguise, with tennis just the backdrop.

The pacing sags a bit during the middle chunk. There are maybe one too many scenes of Richard butting heads with coaches and skeptics. You start to wish that we got more time with the sisters, specifically Serena, who always feels fringed in her own origin story. Venus gets more focus, which makes sense for the real-life timeline, but it leaves you wanting a sequel.

Aunjanue Ellis as their mother, Oracene, is the quiet MVP here. Her scenes bring the house down, especially when she finally calls Richard out on his mess. Honestly, the dynamic between their parents is as compelling as any match point moment.

Cinematography is competent but never daring. It’s got that glossy, “Oscar season” look—nice but safe. Where the film shines is in small moments, like the family crammed into a van after a loss, or the clatter of empty bleachers after an ignored victory. The emotion is real in those corners.

What keeps it from greatness is its unwillingness to fully interrogate Richard’s more manipulative or toxic tendencies. The film tries to soften some sharp edges, maybe to fit the crowd-pleasing mold. Sometimes you want a little more grit from a biography like this.