Descendants: The Rise of Red

Descendants: The Rise of Red is a musical teen fantasy comedy film that premiered on Disney+ on 12 July 2024. Directed by Jennifer Phang and written by Dan Frey and Ru Sommer, this film is the fourth installment in the popular Descendants franchise. It serves as a spin-off from the previous films and follows the storyline of Descendants: The Royal Wedding.

Starring Kylie Cantrall as Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts, and Malia Baker as Chloe Charming, the daughter of Cinderella, the movie introduces a new generation of characters while bringing back some beloved ones. Notable returning cast members include China Anne McClain and Melanie Paxson, reprising their roles as Uma and the Fairy Godmother, respectively. Other cast members include Rita Ora as the Queen of Hearts and Brandy Norwood as Cinderella.

The narrative picks up after the events of Descendants: The Royal Wedding, where Uma becomes the headmistress of Auradon Prep. She invites Princess Red to join the school, leading to a tense reunion between the Queen of Hearts and Cinderella. When the Queen attempts a coup during the opening ceremony, Red is caught in a whirlwind of unexpected events. Stricken with guilt over her mother’s actions, Red accidentally activates a time-traveling pocket watch, bringing her and Chloe back to their mothers' teenage years at Merlin Academy.

As they navigate this past, they must confront their mothers' different personalities, prevent a disastrous prank that led to the Queen of Hearts' villainy, and ultimately work together to ensure a brighter future. The film dives into themes of friendship, personal growth, and the challenges of living in the shadows of powerful parents.

The film has garnered mixed reviews from critics but achieved significant viewership, attracting 6.7 million viewers in its first three days on Disney+. It became the most-watched premiere ever for Disney Branded Television on the streaming service. Additionally, it maintained strong viewership rankings throughout July and early August 2024, becoming Disney+'s most-streamed live-action film since Hocus Pocus 2.

Descendants: The Rise of Red features 13 original songs, with the soundtrack released simultaneously with the film. The music has resonated with audiences, leading to various social media trends and fan engagement.

For fans of Disney’s Descendants, this film blends nostalgia with fresh storytelling, ensuring entertainment for both new viewers and longtime followers of the franchise.

Cast:

• Kylie Cantrall as Red
• Malia Baker as Chloe Charming
• China Anne McClain as Uma
• Dara Reneé as Uliana
• Rita Ora as the Queen of Hearts
• Brandy Norwood as Cinderella

The film not only celebrates individuality and courage but also leaves viewers with a sense of hope for the future as the characters learn from their past mistakes and strive to create a better world.

For more information about the film, you can visit the official website.