Overview
A powerful journey through the life of a musical genius, exploring triumph and tragedy.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- energetic
- melancholic
- sincere
- music night
- biopic marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film engrossing and energetic, with Jamie Foxx’s acclaimed performance anchoring its portrait of Ray Charles’s achievements and flaws.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story follows Ray Charles from childhood hardship through musical apprenticeship, authorship, band leadership, and stardom.
Jamie Foxx’s portrayal of Ray Charles was widely praised for reproducing the musician’s mannerisms, charisma, and musical presence.
Ray’s rise as a celebrated musician is repeatedly complicated by drug addiction and its effects on his work and family.
The film traces Charles’s movement through country, jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues, and popular music contexts.
Films like Ray, and why
Walk the Line
music biopic centered on a gifted performer’s rise, personal demons, and powerful lead performance
Coal Miner's Daughter
energetic musician biopic combining artistic achievement, addiction, family strain, and period music performance
What's Love Got to Do with It
emotionally charged biographical drama about a groundbreaking musician confronting fame, relationships, and self-destruction
Movie Details
- Director
- Taylor Hackford
- Release Date
- 2004-10-29
- Runtime
- 152 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (2313)
Cast
- Jamie Foxx
- Kerry Washington
- Regina King
- Harry Lennix
- Clifton Powell
- Bokeem Woodbine
- Sharon Warren
- C.J. Sanders
- Curtis Armstrong
- Richard Schiff
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Starz Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Ray about?
- A sweeping music biopic follows Ray Charles from childhood loss and blindness to groundbreaking fame while addiction threatens his art and family.
- What is Ray like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Ray as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Ray violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Ray as mild.
- What did critics think of Ray?
- Critics broadly found the film engrossing and energetic, with Jamie Foxx’s acclaimed performance anchoring its portrait of Ray Charles’s achievements and flaws.
- Which films are like Ray?
- Films with a similar feel include Walk the Line, Coal Miner's Daughter, and What's Love Got to Do with It.
- How long is Ray?
- Ray runs 152 minutes.
- Where can I watch Ray?
- In United States, Ray streams on Starz Apple TV channel.
