Nike. NBC. USA Gymnastics. The whole machine wanted Simone Biles to be perfect, until she reminded them she was human.
Most Simone Biles documentaries get lukewarm audience scores despite solid critic reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. But I watched “Simone Biles Rising”. Then I rewatched. And now I’m writing about it.
I started gymnastics when I was 2 and didn’t stop until I turned 15. So yeah, this one felt personal.
Trailer for “Simone Biles Rising”
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- One meltdown during trials left her sobbing on the gym floor—no coaches, no cameras, just her and her fear of being called a quitter again.
- She returned at age 27 and led the U.S. team to gold in Paris 2024—making her the most decorated gymnast in history. She now has 37 world + Olympic medals.
Watch “Simone Biles Rising”
You can watch “Simone Biles Rising” on Netflix here.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 91/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 59/100 (Users), 100/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: Directed by Katie Walsh. She shadowed Biles for over three years and captured more hotel hallways and locker room meltdowns than any other doc I’ve seen on elite athletes.
Release Date: July 17, 2024 (Netflix)
My Review of “Simone Biles Rising”
The Setup
The world saw her walk off the Olympic floor in 2021—but this doc picks up where the headlines stopped. “Simone Biles Rising” is a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what it took to come back: not just to the sport, but to herself. From therapy sessions to the beam routines she couldn’t finish, this is Simone without the sparkle.
More Highlights from the Doc
- Simone admits she wanted to quit “about 500,000 times.”
- We see her training in Texas with a tight inner circle—including her mom Nellie and husband Jonathan Owens (yes, the NFL safety).
- There’s a scene where Simone can’t land her twisting vaults—proof that “the twisties” aren’t just in her head.
- The U.S. team trials in 2024 feel like a redemption gauntlet—Simone sticks the beam and everyone in the arena cries (me included).
- Her therapist helps her reframe fear—not as weakness, but data. This insight alone is worth the watch.
- Jonathan Owens jokes about being “Mr. Biles”—and it’s actually really sweet. He shows up at meets and even does mental prep drills with her.
Cameos
- Nellie Biles (her mom) shows up in nearly every scene—firm, warm, and never sugarcoating it. “We’re not doing this for the media,” she says.
- Jonathan Owens (NFL player, now Simone’s husband) offers grounding energy in the chaos. The doc hints at their wedding planning too.
- Jordan Chiles, another Team USA gymnast, shows up as a training partner and hype woman.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Biles was training in secret by 2022 but refused to post videos online—she didn’t want the pressure of public opinion before she was ready.
- The Olympic leotards are custom-designed with symbols representing each gymnast’s journey. Simone’s includes a small tribute to survivors of abuse.
- The doc opens with old VHS tapes of her first flips at age 6 in Columbus, Ohio—those early clips are gold.
- Simone now trains fewer hours than she did as a teen—but with more intention. “More is not always better,” she says.
- There’s a full section on how she built her own brand—and protected her mental health by setting boundaries with sponsors, media, and even USA Gymnastics.
Wrap Up
This is a survival story. And as someone who grew up in a leotard, it reminded me that the hardest part isn’t the flips, it’s sticking the landing after life knocks you down.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc