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Praise This (2023) movie poster

Timeline

Praise This (2023) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2023 · English
Echo score 56
Directed by
Tina Gordon Chism
Starring
Anjelika Washington, Chloe Bailey, Kendrick Cross, Michael Anthony, Cocoa Brown, Crystal Renee Hayslett

A young woman pursuing stardom finds her life unexpectedly changed when her family moves from Los Angeles to Atlanta. Relocating to be closer to her cousin Jess, she clashes with her new environment. Joining Jess’s praise team for a national competition, she discovers that genuine success isn't about fame, but about gratitude and the strength of community.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (16)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Praise This
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Praise This (2023)

Where can you watch Praise This? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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16 events in order · contains spoilers

Praise This Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Praise This (2023) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Initial Failure at Competition

    The Oil Factory, Atlanta's Praise Team, faces a major setback during their first large competition. Their performance is deemed too conservative, leading to an overwhelming reaction from the audience that culminates in them getting booed off the stage.

    Where
    Atlanta Competition
  2. Darius Brings Sam to Atlanta

    Sam is brought to Atlanta by her father Darius after getting into trouble in Los Angeles. He is concerned for her well-being after she got charged with a misdemeanor at a recording studio due to a police raid.

    Where
    Atlanta, Georgia
  3. Family Intervention

    Upon arriving, Sam's uncle Larry, who is also a psychiatrist, gathers the family for a chat. They discuss Sam's troubled choices, including her lie about applying to college and her decision to take a 'gap year' for music-related pursuits.

    Where
    Family Home
  4. Opportunity at Georgia State

    Sam's aunt Liz offers her a chance to attend Georgia State in the spring due to her connections at the university. Despite the opportunity laid out in front of her, Sam staunchly refuses to consider it, remaining obstinate about her future.

    Where
    Georgia State University
  5. Forced to Attend Church

    Sam's cousin Jess, eager to include her, wakes Sam with coffee and a lively, albeit off-key, song. She insists that Sam must wear a borrowed dress and join her for church, introducing Sam to a different aspect of life in Atlanta.

    Where
    Makeshift Church
  6. Sam's Disdain for the Praise Team

    During her first visit to the makeshift church, Sam openly expresses her unimpressed feelings towards both the Praise Team and their environment. Pastor Googman encourages the team to give their best despite the criticism.

    Where
    Warehouse Church
  7. Party Crashing with Jess

    Sam, a fan of Atlanta-based rapper Ty, persuades Jess to accompany her to a party hosted by him. The duo manages to gain his attention, showcasing Sam's vocal talent just as the police arrive to shut down the event.

    Where
    Ty's Party
  8. Punishment by Joining the Praise Team

    As a consequence for her rebellious behavior at the party, Liz and Larry compel Sam to join the Praise Team. This decision is met with resistance from Sam, who struggles with her newfound obligations.

    Where
    Home
  9. Improving the Praise Team

    Sam takes the initiative to improve the Praise Team's performances, leading them to secure a spot in the regionals. Despite setbacks, including a key member abandoning the group, she uses creativity to keep them cohesive.

    Where
    Local Church
  10. Helping Ty with His Song

    During an impromptu session, Sam collaborates with Ty to assist him in writing lyrics for a new song. However, complications arise when she uses his song without his consent, straining their budding relationship.

    Where
    Recording Studio
  11. Disappointment at the Competition

    When it comes time for the competition, Sam's decision to switch to Ty's song at the last moment leads to disarray. The group's lack of preparation results in another failure to place among the top three.

    Where
    Competition Venue
  12. Tension with Jess

    Following the competition, tensions rise as Jess confronts Sam about using Ty's song without permission. This results in a heated argument, and Sam declares that she no longer sees Jess as her sister-cousin.

    Where
    Jess's Room
  13. The Cocktail Bar Incident

    Sam finds herself at a cocktail bar, which she later realizes is owned by Natalie. Here, she vents her frustrations and is encouraged to reflect on her circumstances and appreciate the support she has.

    Where
    Natalie's Bar
  14. Apologies and Regrets

    After a night of introspection, Sam returns home late and decides to apologize to Jess for their argument. She also attempts to mend things with Ty, only to find him unwilling to reconcile at that moment.

    Where
    Home
  15. National Finals Surprise Victory

    The Oil Factory qualifies for the nationals unexpectedly when one of the top three teams withdraws due to a scandal. Darius arrives just in time to witness the team triumph at the National Finals, catching everyone, including Ty, off guard.

    Where
    National Finals
  16. Future Possibilities with Ty

    After the victory, Sam finally gets a chance to apologize to Ty for her earlier mistakes. Their conversation hints at the possibility of future collaborations, rekindling a sense of hope for their relationship.

    Where
    Competition Venue

Last updated: May 13, 2025 at 20:31

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Timeline questions answered

Praise This Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Praise This (2023): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Sam sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Atlanta?

Sam was sent to Atlanta after getting into legal trouble in Los Angeles. She was charged with a misdemeanor when a recording studio she was at got raided by police. Additionally, Sam had lied to her family about attending college, instead choosing to take a gap year to pursue music, which led to this situation.

  • sam atlanta
  • legal trouble
  • los angeles
  • family move
Q2

Why does Sam have to join the Praise Team?

Sam is forced to join the Praise Team as punishment for crashing rapper Ty's party and lying to her aunt and uncle about it. After the police shut down the party, Liz and Larry decided Sam needed structure and accountability, so they made her join the church choir.

  • punishment
  • praise team
  • church
  • forced joining
Q3

What happens when Sam uses Ty's song without permission?

Sam uses one of Ty's songs for The Oil Factory's competition performance without asking him first. When Ty shows up unexpectedly, the team switches to his song at the last minute. Because they hadn't practiced it, they fail to place in the top three, and Jess confronts Sam about the breach of trust.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Sam and Ty had been collaborating on songwriting, establishing their creative connection before the conflict arose.

  • ty song
  • permission
  • competition
  • disagreement
Q4

How does The Oil Factory qualify for the national competition?

The Oil Factory gets an unexpected spot in the nationals when one of the top three teams withdraws due to scandalous circumstances. This gives them the opportunity to compete at the national level despite their earlier setbacks.

  • nationals
  • qualify
  • competition
  • unexpected
Q5

Why do Sam and Jess have a big argument?

Jess confronts Sam after the competition failure about using Ty's song without permission. The argument escalates when Sam declares she no longer sees Jess as her sister-cousin, creating a significant emotional rift between them.

  • jess fight
  • argument
  • cousin relationship
  • conflict
Q6

Why does Melissa leave the Praise Team?

Melissa leaves the Praise Team abruptly, which creates a challenge for the group. Her departure opens up an opportunity for Sam to help Jess take over the drums during their performance, showcasing Sam's creative leadership.

  • meliissa leaves
  • drums
  • team change
Q7

Why does The Oil Factory fail at their first major competition?

The Oil Factory's first large competition ends badly because their performance is considered too conservative. The audience reacts negatively, booing them off the stage. This setback motivates Sam's later efforts to transform the group.

  • competition fail
  • conservative
  • booed
  • audience
Q8

Why does Sam's father Darius come to Atlanta?

Darius arrives at the end of the movie just in time to witness The Oil Factory win the National Finals. His unexpected appearance surprises everyone, including Ty, and provides a meaningful moment of family support for Sam's achievement.

Foreshadowing: Darius initially brought Sam to Atlanta at the beginning of the film, establishing his concern for her wellbeing.

  • darius
  • father
  • national finals
  • surprise
Q9

Do Sam and Ty work things out by the end of the movie?

After Sam apologizes to Ty following their conflict over the song, he is initially unwilling to reconcile. However, after The Oil Factory wins the national competition, Sam gets another chance to apologize genuinely, and their conversation hints at potential future collaborations.

  • ty
  • romance
  • apology
  • future collaboration
Q11

What happens when Sam goes to Natalie's cocktail bar?

After her fight with Jess, Sam ends up at a cocktail bar owned by Natalie. There she vents her frustrations and receives advice about appreciating what she has. This moment of introspection leads her to decide to apologize to Jess.

  • natalie
  • bar
  • advice
  • self reflection
Q12

Why does Sam turn down the chance to go to Georgia State?

Sam refuses her aunt Liz's offer to help her attend Georgia State University in the spring. Sam is resistant to pursuing a traditional college path because she is focused on pursuing her music career dreams instead.

  • georgia state
  • college
  • music career
  • ambition

Movie threads

More Movies Like Praise This, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Praise This tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Redemptive musical stories like Praise This

Characters find personal healing and purpose through the power of music and community. If you enjoyed the heartfelt journey in Praise This, explore more movies where music becomes a path to personal growth. These films combine energetic performances with themes of redemption, community, and finding purpose beyond fame.

  • uplifting
  • redemptive
  • heartfelt
  • inspiring
  • energetic
  • triumphant
  • Tone: hopeful, redemptive
  • Pacing: steady, build-up to finale
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist who clashes with a new environment or faces personal failure. Through joining a choir, band, or team, they undergo a transformation from self-centered ambition to appreciating collective strength, culminating in a triumphant performance or competition that symbolizes their internal growth.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a core structure of musical redemption. They balance dramatic interpersonal conflict with uplifting musical sequences, maintain a hopeful tone, and feature medium emotional weight where challenges lead to positive change rather than lasting trauma.

Hopeful coming-of-age movies similar to Praise This

Young protagonists discover their true selves through supportive communities outside their immediate family. Fans of Praise This will appreciate these films about young adults finding their place. They share a steady pace, a focus on creative expression, and a heartwarming message about the importance of community and gratitude in shaping identity.

  • heartfelt
  • optimistic
  • coming of age
  • found family
  • inspiring
  • dramatic
  • Tone: hopeful, optimistic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: A fish-out-of-water story where a young person's relocation or new circumstances force them out of their comfort zone. They initially clash with their surroundings but are gradually embraced by a new group (often centered around a shared passion like music or art). This found family helps them overcome personal flaws and discover a more authentic version of themselves.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their consistently hopeful tone and focus on positive personal transformation. They feature straightforward narratives with steady pacing, where dramatic tension is always in service of growth, resulting in a happy, emotionally satisfying conclusion centered on community and self-acceptance.

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Movies Like Praise This

Similar movies to Praise This: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Praise This (2023) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Praise This in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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