Netflix is set to bring one of the most compelling stories in modern sports to screens worldwide with Simone Biles: Rising Above, a documentary chronicling the gymnast’s trailblazing career, mental health advocacy, and unprecedented comeback. Announced today, the film will premiere in 2025, offering an intimate look at Biles’ journey from prodigy to global icon—and the pressures that nearly derailed her path to greatness.
The documentary, currently in production, is slated for a mid-2025 release. Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Lisa Cortés (Little Richard: I Am Everything), the project will blend never-before-seen archival footage, candid interviews with Biles and her inner circle, and vérité-style filming of her current training regimen. Netflix confirmed the film will also cover her highly anticipated performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics, should she compete.
Biles, 27, is directly involved as an executive producer, ensuring her voice shapes the narrative. In a statement, she said, “This isn’t just about medals or routines. It’s about the weight of expectations, the courage to step back, and the fight to reclaim your joy. I hope this helps people see athletes as humans first.”
A central theme will be Biles’ groundbreaking decision to withdraw from multiple events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a move that sparked global conversations about athletes’ mental health. The documentary will delve into her struggles with the “twisties,” a dangerous loss of spatial awareness, and her advocacy for redefining success in high-stakes sports.
The film traces Biles’ rise from a foster care childhood in Texas to becoming the most decorated gymnast in history, with 37 Olympic and World Championship medals. Rare footage of her early training under coaches Aimee Boorman and Cecile Landi will highlight the relentless discipline behind her gravity-defying skills, including the historic “Biles II” vault.
A pivotal segment revisits the 2020 Games, where Biles prioritized her well-being over competition—a decision met with both backlash and praise. Interviews with teammates, rivals, and mental health experts will unpack the cultural shift her stance ignited, particularly for Black women in sports.
Beyond gymnastics, the documentary spotlights Biles’ work off the mat. From testifying before Congress about the FBI’s mishandling of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case to partnering with mental health organizations, the film underscores her role as a advocate for systemic change in sports.
Netflix secured unprecedented access to Biles’ personal life, including scenes with her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens, and her family. Viewers will witness her navigating marriage, business ventures (like her skincare line), and training for Paris 2024—all while balancing the trauma of her past.
Cortés, known for her nuanced portraits of cultural icons, teased, “Simone’s story isn’t just about triumph. It’s about vulnerability, identity, and the cost of being ‘the greatest.’ We’re peeling back the layers of what it means to carry a nation’s hopes on your shoulders.”
The project aligns with Netflix’s push for high-profile sports documentaries, following hits like Beckham and Quarterback. A Netflix executive noted, “Simone’s resilience resonates universally. This isn’t a sports film—it’s a human story with stakes every viewer can feel.”
Fans and advocates are already hailing the documentary as a potential game-changer. Dr. Jessica Bartley, a sports psychologist featured in the film, said, “Simone’s openness could redefine how we support athletes. This isn’t just entertainment; it’s a catalyst for empathy.”
With filming underway, Simone Biles: Rising Above promises to be more than a victory lap—it’s a raw, revelatory portrait of a woman who changed sports forever. As Cortés put it, “By the end, you won’t just admire her. You’ll understand her.” The documentary drops on Netflix in 2025, but the conversation it sparks may last far longer.
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