Underdogs

Underdogs

Year: 2018

Runtime: 65 mins

Language: English

Director: Téo Frank

DocumentaryMusic

Following a series of encounters while traveling, aspiring filmmaker Téo Frank, just 18, finds himself in New York, working with passionate hip hop artists and producers like Awon Phoniks. The journey began with a meeting with photographer Mason Strehl in Alaska, leading to an unexpected collaboration and the creation of a documentary. The film explores the lives and talents of a group of rappers Téo didn't know, documenting how their connection profoundly impacted his life.

Hopeful
Happy ending
Moderately emotional
Medium intensity
Steady pacing
Simple story

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Underdogs yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Underdogs (2018)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Underdogs (2018). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Present day

Set in the contemporary urban landscape, the story unfolds across a season of training, sponsorships, and tournaments. Modern elements like social media and public attention shape the team’s journey and pressures. The timeline focuses on growth, mentorship, and perseverance through a sequence of escalating challenges, culminating in a climactic showdown.

Location

Mid-County Community Center, Las Vegas

The Underdogs' story centers on the Mid-County Community Center, a humble neighborhood hub where the kids train and form bonds. The setting emphasizes community support and grit as a former champion steps in to guide them. The narrative also shifts to the high-stakes world of competition in Las Vegas, highlighting the contrast between local training spaces and major tournaments.

🏢 Community Center 🥋 Martial Arts 🎯 Underdogs

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:31

Main Characters – Underdogs (2018)

Meet the key characters of Underdogs (2018), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jimmy Lee

A former mixed martial arts champion who steps in as the reluctant coach after a career-ending accident. He starts skeptical of the ragtag group but gradually becomes deeply invested in their growth and well-being. His pursuit of mentorship and a meaningful path forward ultimately eclipses any desire to return to the ring.

💪 Resilience 🧭 Mentor 🎯 Redemption

Rasheed

The quiet, violence-prone newcomer with a speech problem who seeks self-discipline for himself and his family. His arc centers on finding a constructive outlet for aggression and building trust with Jimmy. His bond with the team deepens as he learns to channel his energy positively.

🗣️ Speech Problem 🥋 Self-Discipline 💙 Loyal Friend

Ted Barrett

The childhood rival and coach of the Scorpions, whose fame and scheming threaten the Underdogs. He embodies the darker side of competition, attempting to sabotage others to preserve his status. His arc serves as a foil to the team's perseverance and integrity.

⚔️ Rivalry 🎭 Ego 🏅 Ambition

Big Mama

A food truck owner who steps in to sponsor the Underdogs after their struggles with finding backing. Her generosity is paired with practical support and a sense of community, illustrating how outsiders can become integral to a team’s success.

🎁 Support 💖 Generosity 🌮 Sponsorship

Valerie

Their aunt who introduces ballet to the team to improve balance and rhythm, expanding the players’ athletic toolkit and fostering teamwork. She offers steady guidance and acts as an additional mentor outside the gym.

🩰 Ballet Coach 🤝 Teamwork 🌟 Guidance

Phoniks (Himself)

Phoniks makes a cameo as himself, lending authenticity and real-world flavor to the Underdogs’ journey. His presence punctuates the film with a sense of community and street credibility.

🎤 Cameo 🧭 Realism 🌟 Presence

Awon (Himself)

Awon appears as himself to support the team, contributing to the film’s contemporary vibe and underscoring the community aspect of the story.

🎤 Cameo ✨ Street Cred 🌈 Vibe

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:31

Major Themes – Underdogs (2018)

Explore the central themes of Underdogs (2018), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏆 Underdog Triumph

The Underdogs rise from a ragtag group to a cohesive team under Jimmy's guidance. Their victories are earned through hard work, not instant glory, and setbacks test their resolve. The arc culminates in a flawless team performance that showcases perseverance and teamwork over sheer talent.

🤝 Mentorship

Jimmy's role as a mentor evolves as he helps each kid confront personal struggles—poverty, bullying, and loss. The mentor-mentee bond grows through trust, patience, and shared goals. The film emphasizes that guidance can come from unlikely places and that growth is mutual.

⚔️ Rivalry and Integrity

Ted Barrett embodies a culture of fame-driven manipulation and grudges, creating a sharp contrast with the Underdogs' commitment to fair play. The narrative probes the costs of ambition when coupled with unscrupulous tactics. The climactic clash tests sportsmanship and ethical boundaries, not just skill.

🎥 Media and Sponsorship

Sponsorship politics and media attention drive much of the conflict, showing how public perception can make or break a team. Generous support from Big Mama arrives through hard-won sacrifice, not instant fame. The story reflects a modern sports landscape where viral moments, sponsorships, and community backing shape outcomes.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 12:31

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Uplifting Creative Collaboration Movies like Underdogs

Stories of passionate artists and misfits finding their voice through unexpected partnerships.If you liked the authentic creative journey in Underdogs, explore other movies about passionate artists, musicians, and filmmakers finding their voice through collaboration. These stories celebrate the process of creation, mentorship, and the uplifting feeling of making art with a found family.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a straightforward narrative of discovery, often beginning with a chance encounter that sparks a creative partnership. The journey focuses on the process—the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the deepening bonds between collaborators—culminating in a satisfying creation or performance that validates their shared effort.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared hopeful tone, authentic portrayal of artistic passion, and uplifting emotional core. They prioritize character connection and the joy of collaborative creation over high-stakes drama, resulting in a consistently heartwarming and steady-paced viewing experience.

Authentic Underdog Journey Movies like Underdogs

Gritty yet hopeful stories of real people overcoming adversity to find their place.Find more movies like Underdogs that capture the gritty but hopeful spirit of the underdog. These films feature relatable characters overcoming personal and external adversity, often with the help of a mentor or found family, leading to a satisfying and uplifting conclusion.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a protagonist or group starting from a position of disadvantage. Through a steady-paced arc, they encounter mentors and allies, confront challenges like bullying or self-doubt, and gradually build confidence and skill. The conflict is interpersonal and realistic, leading to a triumph that feels earned and personally significant rather than grandiose.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a core identity: they are about underdogs whose victories feel authentic and earned. They balance gritty, real-world struggles with a consistently hopeful tone and a happy ending. The emotional weight is medium, making them engaging and uplifting without being overly heavy or distressing.

Unlock the Full Story of Underdogs

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Underdogs Summary

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Underdogs Summary

Underdogs Timeline

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Underdogs Timeline

Underdogs Spoiler-Free Summary

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Underdogs Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Underdogs

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