Rise Again
Genre: Sports/Drama
Director: Olivia Wilde
Writer: Andrew Doster
Cast: Raffey Cassidy, Mila Kunis, Isabela Merced, Lara McDonnell, Emily Beecham, Kevin McKidd, Laura Benanti, Breanna Yde
Plot: British gymnast Mia Harper (Raffey Cassidy) executes a perfect floor routine, a combination of somersaults and elegant movements that capture the grace and power of artistic gymnastics. The spotlight illuminates her determined face, her focused eyes, and the light sweat running down her forehead. Every move is precise, a testament to the hours of dedication she’s poured into her craft. Around her, coaches and teammates watch in awe.
A montage showcases Mia's success: receiving gold at the World Gymnastics Championships, her face glowing as she raises the trophy. A news report in the background declares, “Mia Harper has won gold on floor, uneven bars, and balance beam, as well as the all-around and team competitions at the latest world championships, solidifying her as the top contender for the upcoming Olympics.”
At home, Mia sits, quietly eating her dinner. Her gaze drifts to the glass cabinet in the corner of the living room, where her medals are displayed. She smiles, but there’s a touch of melancholy in her expression. In the background, the television broadcasts an interview with a sports commentator who proclaims, “Mia Harper is the most talented gymnast of her generation. After the disappointment of missing the last Olympics due to COVID, she’s poised to dominate in Paris.” Mia’s parents, Robert (Kevin McKidd) and Jessica (Laura Benanti) playfully tease each other during dinner. She playfully chides them to stop the excessive sweetness. But as she turns back to her meal, Robert grimaces and collapses onto the ground. Jessica rushes to his side, her voice trembling as she calls his name. Robert, trying to reassure her, insists he’s fine and just needs to rest.
Back in the gym, Mia is in the midst of an intense workout. She’s a whirlwind of energy, performing a series of jumps and twists on the beam with determination. Her coach, Sarah Jeffreys (Emily Beecham), watches closely, her expression a mix of pride and worry. She gently suggests that Mia should rest, but Mia insists on training longer. With every move, she repeats to herself that she can do this, that she must push through. But as she prepares for one final somersault to dismount from the beam, something goes wrong - Mia’s right foot slips out of position. The sound of her knee giving out echoes through the silent gym. Mia crumples to the floor, her face contorted in pain, her hands clutching her knee. Panic spreads among her teammates as they rush to her side. Sarah calls for an ambulance.
In the hospital, Mia lies with her knee in bandages and a brace. Jessica holds Mia’s hand, her eyes filled with worry, while Robert paces near the window, trying to maintain composure. Mia stares at the ceiling, lost in her thoughts. The orthopedic surgeon enters and begins to explain the severity of her injury: a partial lesion of the cruciate ligament and a rupture of the patellar tendon. Surgery is essential, he says, but even with the best possible rehabilitation, the chances of returning to her previous competitive level are slim. Mia’s eyes well up with tears as she asks, “So my career is over?” The doctor doesn’t answer immediately, but his expression says it all. A single tear escapes down Mia’s cheek as her world begins to crumble around her. Sarah places a comforting hand on her shoulder, while Jessica, fighting back tears of her own, tries to soothe her daughter. But Mia is lost in her despair, unable to comprehend that her Olympic dream might be over.
Weeks later, Mia is at home, her knee encased in a brace. The television is on, showing the Paris Olympics. Mia watches in silence as the U.S. gymnastics team takes the stage, performing flawlessly. Her gaze narrows as the camera zooms in on Sasha Moreno (Isabela Merced), who is preparing for her floor exercise. The envy and longing in Mia’s eyes are palpable. As the commentator announces Sasha’s victory, Mia’s heart sinks. A montage of the awards ceremony plays, with Sasha and the Irish newcomer, Stella O’Dee (Laura McDonnell), sharing the gold medals that Mia had dreamed of winning.
A year and a half later, Mia steps into a small local gym, where a group of young girls are practicing basic gymnastics. She watches them, her heart aching for the days when she was the one training. The teacher, recognizing Mia, smiles and hands her a whistle. “They’d love to learn from a true champion,” she says. Mia cracks a small smile and begins to guide the girls through their exercises. At first, her instructions are almost mechanical, as if she’s going through the motions without really feeling it. But as the weeks pass, something begins to change. Mia’s passion for gymnastics slowly resurfaces. The girls laugh and cheer under her guidance, and Mia finds herself smiling more often.
One day after a training session ends and the girls leave, Mia prepares to close up the gym. Anastasia Bondarchuk (Mila Kunis) appears in the doorway and asks if she can speak to Mia about her career. Mia’s expression shifts from calm to annoyed. After a moment of hesitation, Mia reluctantly agrees. Anastasia begins to speak, revealing her story. She was a former Olympic gymnast, one of the youngest to compete in Atlanta ’96, where she won a bronze medal. But her career was cut short by an injury that forced her to retire just as she was on the brink of greatness. Mia listens, her curiosity piqued. Anastasia’s voice is filled with emotion as she recounts the pain of losing everything she had worked for, the struggle to find herself again. “I see something in you,” Anastasia says, her eyes locking onto Mia’s. “That fire, that determination—it’s still there. You’ve been through hell, but you’re not done yet. I can help you find a way back, not just to the sport, but to yourself.” Mia remains silent, processing Anastasia’s words. She’s spent so long building a wall around herself, but Anastasia’s words strike a chord. Finally, Mia agrees to give it a shot. She knows this might be her last chance to reclaim something she thought she’d lost forever.
The next day, Mia returns to the gym with Anastasia by her side. She hesitates at the entrance, her heart pounding. But Anastasia gently encourages her, and Mia steps inside. She walks slowly across the room, her footsteps echoing in the silence. She approaches a piece of equipment, her hand trembling slightly as she touches it. Under Anastasia’s guidance, Mia begins a new training regimen. It’s different from what she’s used to—less about pushing her physical limits and more about rebuilding her mental strength. There are moments when Mia falters, when doubt threatens to overwhelm her. Anastasia is always there, guiding her with patience and understanding.
A montage shows Mia’s progress over the next several months. The scenes alternate between moments of improvement and moments of struggle. Mia works through workouts designed by Anastasia, combining physical rehabilitation with mental training. She practices visualization techniques, imagining herself back on the competition floor, executing her routines. She learns to meditate, to quiet her fears. And slowly, the camera captures the first signs of progress—a more confident jump, a steadier landing, a determined expression that becomes more intense with each passing day.
The day arrives when Mia is ready to test herself in competition. In the gym, her former teammates approach her, but there’s uncertainty in their eyes. Nobody knows what to expect from Mia. Her old coach, Sarah, watches, intrigued by Mia’s sudden return. Mia prepares for her routine, the gym falling silent as she gets into position. The routine is simpler than what she used to perform, but it’s a start. She takes a deep breath, then launches into her routine. Every move is fluid, every jump controlled, finishing with a solid landing. The applause is thunderous, and Mia smiles. Anastasia nods in approval. Sarah, visibly impressed, approaches Anastasia at the end of the routine. Sarah expresses concerns about the risks Mia is taking by competing again. Anastasia listens intently, her expression calm and confident. She explains how she sees something special in Mia, believing she can come back stronger than before. They agree to work together to support Mia. Their conversation is interrupted by a phone call from Jessica, Mia’s mother. Robert has had an accident and is in the hospital. His condition is serious. Mia, who was preparing for another routine on the parallel bars, is notified immediately. She leaves the competition with Anastasia as Sarah offers words of encouragement.
Mia arrives at the hospital, worried. She finds Robert in a coma. Jessica is seated beside the bed. Mia urges her mother to go to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Reluctantly, Jessica agrees, leaving Mia alone with her father. Mia sits by the bed, taking Robert’s hand in hers. She promises to do everything it takes to qualify for the Olympics, but she's going to need him in the audience. As she speaks, Mia feels a slight movement in her father’s hand. She looks down to see his fingers twitching. Robert remains still, but that small movement is enough to reignite the fire within Mia.
The scene transitions to the 2027 World Championships in Berlin. Mia, now 28, is one of the oldest competitors in the field, but she’s not discouraged. The camera pans across the massive arena, capturing the vibrant energy of the crowd, the bright colors of the flags, and the intense focus of the athletes. Mia’s face is determined. As she steps onto the competition floor, she catches sight of Sasha Moreno, her American rival. There’s a silent exchange between them—a mixture of respect and challenge. Stella O’Dee, the elegant Irish gymnast, also glances at Mia, offering a small wave.
Mia approaches the beam for her first routine, her hands trembling slightly as she grips the apparatus. As she begins her routine, every movement is deliberate, every step calculated. Her body may no longer be at its peak, but her technique is refined. The audience watches in awe as she executes her jumps and rotations with grace, landing with a solid finish. During a break between routines, Mia finds herself standing next to Sasha, who is preparing for her performance. There’s a moment of silence between them, before the wish each other luck. As the competition progresses, the camera follows Mia as she moves through her routines with increasing confidence. There are moments when the pain in her knee flares up, but she pushes through. When it’s time for the floor exercise, Mia knows this is her moment to shine and waits for O'Dee's performance to end.The talented Irish athlete, however, completely fails the double somersault and falls heavily to the ground hitting her head. Mia's reaction is lightning-fast and she rushes to the competition field even before the doctors. After a few moments of apprehension, the girl stands up thanking Mia before being taken out for further checks.
Shortly after she takes her position as the music begins to play. Her movements are a blend of power and elegance, each leap and turn executed with precision. The crowd watches, captivated by her performance. In the final moments of the routine, Mia’s body begins to falter slightly, fatigue setting in. But she pushes through, landing with a slight stumble but quickly regaining her balance. The audience erupts in applause. Mia smiles as she leaves the floor. She glances at the scoreboard and sees her name in second place, just behind Sasha, qualifying for the final. After the routine, Mia limps noticeably. Sasha approaches her, offering a sincere compliment. They part ways, with Sasha promising to meet her in Los Angeles next year.
Mia and the British gymnastics team are flying home from the World Championships in Berlin. Mia with her knee bandaged and resting on a pillow is sitting next to Sarah while Anastasia is a few rows ahead reading a book. Despite the minor injury that prevented her from competing in the final there is a calm in her expression as if she has accepted everything that has happened without problems. Suddenly she receives a phone call from her mother who informs her that her father has woken up from a coma a few hours earlier. Mia is moved and expresses her joy while her teammates and coaches, noticing the conversation, begin to congratulate her creating a festive atmosphere on the plane.
Mia opens the door, finds her father lying in bed, visibly weak but with his eyes open. His gaze lights up as soon as he sees her enter and after exchanging sweet words they give each other a family hug.
It’s late spring 2028, and Mia has been pre-selected for the Olympic team. Mia sits on the sofa, a cup of tea in her hand, scrolling through news on her phone. Her expressions shift from calm to slightly nervous as she reads through updates on the upcoming Olympics. Despite her decision to skip the World Finals to protect her knee, her resolve remains firm. Suddenly, her phone vibrates. She hesitates before picking it up, reading the text message that just arrived. Her face transforms as she scans the words, her eyes widening with disbelief, then filling with joy. Mia jumps up, dropping her cup onto the coffee table with a clatter. She picks up the phone with both hands, her breath catching in her throat as she reads the message again—she’s been officially called up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Mia excitedly shows the message to her mother. Jessica reads the screen, her eyes widening in joy.
The scene shifts to Mia’s training routine as she prepares herself for the Olympics. The camera follows her to an outdoor park, where she warms up in the spring sunshine. Every move is precise, every muscle well-trained, but there’s a newfound calm about her, a new confidence. Anastasia, now accredited as an assistant coach for the British national team, watches Mia with a critical but affectionate eye. Mia pauses for a moment, wiping the sweat from her forehead, and looks at Anastasia. There’s a silent understanding between them. Mia moves to the beam, preparing to perform a series of exercises. Her movements are fluid, strong, and determined, even as her knee occasionally reminds her of its limits. But there’s no hesitation in her steps, no doubt in her mind. Her focus is unwavering, her mind set on one goal: Los Angeles.
It’s late at night, and Mia lies in bed. On the nightstand, a photograph of her as a child, beaming in a blue gym leotard, seems to watch over her. Mia stares at the ceiling as her hand instinctively moves to her operated knee, caressing it gently. The pain is still there. Just as Mia begins to drift off to sleep, her phone buzzes on the nightstand. She picks it up. The display shows an incoming video call from an unknown number. Mia hesitates for a moment, then answers. The screen lights up, revealing the radiant face of Sasha Moreno. “Congratulations on making the team,” Sasha says with a smile. Mia’s face lights up as they chat, laughing and joking about their upcoming challenge in Los Angeles.
The next morning, the sun rises from a clear sky over Heathrow Airport. Mia, dressed in the official Team Great Britain tracksuit, walks towards the airport gates. Her parents stand nearby, watching with pride and a touch of sadness as their daughter embarks on the next chapter of her journey. Mia hugs them tightly, then turns and joins her teammates, all dressed identically in their team colors. The excitement in the air is palpable as they prepare to board the plane to Los Angeles.
Hours later, the plane touches down in Los Angeles, the California sun shining brightly overhead. The camera follows Mia as she disembarks, taking in the immensity of the Olympic Village. Athletes from all over the world mill about, chatting, preparing, creating an atmosphere of palpable energy and competition. Mia looks around, trying to take in every detail. The flags of all nations flutter in the breeze, and every corner of the village seems alive with anticipation.
During the opening ceremony at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the deafening sound of the crowd fills the stadium as the camera pans over the bright lights and vibrant colors of the event. Mia walks with the British delegation, her face lit up by the Olympic flame burning in the distance. She’s surrounded by athletes from various disciplines, all united by the same spirit of competition. As they walk through the tunnel and step out into the stadium, the noise of the crowd is overwhelming. The camera lingers on Mia’s face, capturing the awe and pride in her eyes as she takes in the moment. She exchanges a glance with a fellow British athlete, and they share a knowing smile. In that instant, there’s no rivalry, only the shared experience of being part of something extraordinary.
As the day of the competition dawns, the arena buzzes with energy and excitement. Mia sits in the locker room, surrounded by her teammates, each lost in their own pre-competition rituals. Mia finishes adjusting her leotard, her face set in a mask of focus, but there’s a sparkle in her eyes, a glimmer of excitement for what’s to come. The locker room door opens, and Sasha Moreno enters, ready for the competition. There’s a charged silence as their eyes meet. Sasha smiles, a mixture of respect and challenge in her gaze. She speaks softly, offering a few words of encouragement before heading out to the floor. Mia takes a deep breath, her heart pounding with a mix of nerves and anticipation. The camera follows her as she exits the locker room, the noise of the crowd growing louder with each step. The atmosphere is electric, the air thick with the weight of expectation.
Mia’s first routine is on the vault. She takes her position, her muscles tensed in readiness. The camera captures every detail of her preparation—the chalk dusting her hands, the determined set of her jaw, the focused gleam in her eyes. As she sprints toward the vault, the crowd holds its breath. Mia launches into the air, executing a nearly flawless vault. She lands with a solid thud, her body absorbing the impact with grace and power. The audience erupts in applause, and Mia’s face breaks into a smile as she walks back to her teammates.
Next, Mia steps up to the bars, one of her strongest events. She grips the bar with confidence, her muscles coiled like springs. The camera follows her every movement as she swings, rotates, and transitions between the bars with precision. When she lands, the crowd roars in approval, and Mia’s smile widens. The score is announced shortly after—14.933, placing her in the top five and securing her spot in the finals.
The final test of the day is the floor exercise, the event that holds the most significance for Mia. The music begins, and Mia explodes into action, her movements a symphony of power and grace. Every leap, every flip, every turn is executed with precision. Sasha Moreno and rising Australian star Tara Thomas-Zhou (Breanna Yde) watch in amazement. Stella O'Dee also watches intently, a knowing smile on her face despite her disappointing results so far, applauding all the while. As she nears the end of the routine, the fatigue begins to show, and Mia lands with a wobble before quickly regaining her balance. The crowd rises to its feet, applauding wildly as Mia finishes her routine with a flourish. The score is announced, and Mia’s heart leaps—15.100, putting her in third place, behind only Sasha Moreno and Tara Thomas-Zhou. She’s qualified for the final, but the day’s competition has taken a toll on her body. As Mia steps off the floor, her teammates rush to congratulate her. As Mia sits down to catch her breath, the pain in her knee flares up.
The team final arrives, and Great Britain puts up a strong fight, ultimately finishing in sixth place. It’s not the podium finish they had hoped for, but it’s a respectable result. Mia, though proud of her team’s effort, knows that her real opportunity lies in the individual finals. After the team competition, Mia is in a quiet corner of the Olympic village with a bit of tension in her body as she watches the competition performances on her tablet. At a certain point, Anastasia comes over and sits down next to her and begins to speak with measured words and a warm, confident tone. As she speaks, she looks directly at Mia, trying to instill as much confidence in her as possible. Mia listens in silence, the tension in her muscles easing. The speech is not long but it has the effect of increasing Mia's determination and confidence even more. At the end, they hug each other tenderly.
The day of the individual finals arrives, and Mia steps up to the parallel bars. She knows this is one of her strongest events, and she’s determined to make it count. The camera follows her every move as she grips the bars, her body a coiled spring of energy. She launches into her routine with flawless execution. But as she nears the end, a slight hesitation costs her a perfect landing. The crowd gasps, but Mia quickly recovers, finishing the routine with grace. The score places her in fourth, just off the podium. There’s a flicker of disappointment in her eyes, but Mia quickly brushes it aside, knowing she still has the floor final ahead of her.
The final event is floor exercise, the one Mia is most looking forward to. One of three athletes left, Mia prepares with focus as Anastasia and Sarah watch from the sidelines, nodding in agreement. The music starts to play and Mia launches into her routine with a mix of grace and power that mesmerizes the crowd. Towards the end of the routine, fatigue sets in, but Mia keeps pushing, determined to finish with a flourish. She lands with a slight wobble, but quickly regains her balance, finishing with a touch of class. The scoreboard shows a very high score, temporarily putting her in the lead. Mia, shocked and in disbelief, realizes she has won a medal. Her eyes are watering as her teammates and coaches rush to hug her. Young Australian Tara Thomas-Zhou preparing for her routine. Tara performs well but misses the last diagonal relegating her to third place behind O'Dee who had recovered positions in the final. O'Dee and Mia Harper hug because they know they will both get on the podium and then briefly console the young Australian. Next it's Sasha Moreno's turn. Mia watches in silence as Sasha begins her routine. Every move Sasha makes is perfect and when the score appears, Sasha beats her by less than a tenth of a point, securing the gold. Mia is not disappointed at all, in fact she celebrates happily after congratulating Moreno. Then she runs to Sarah and Anastasia to celebrate together the silver medal.
The camera follows Mia as she climbs onto the podium, her face still marked by tears but glowing with happiness. It doesn’t matter that she came in second; what matters is that she’s shown herself that she can still compete at the highest level. Sasha Moreno, standing on the top step of the podium with the gold medal around her neck, reaches out to Mia, pulling her up beside her. The crowd explodes in applause, a celebration of mutual respect and friendship between two fierce competitors while O'Dee also applauds happily from the third step of the podium.
As the sun sets over Los Angeles, Mia walks alone through the Olympic Village, the silver medal hanging around her neck. The sky is a deep shade of purple, the stars just beginning to appear. She pauses for a moment, looking up at the sky, a satisfied smile on her face. Mia’s voiceover reflects on her journey: “It doesn’t matter where I end up after this. I’ve achieved what I wanted. I’ve proven to myself that I can still fly.”
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