Story Overview

Ray is a powerful biographical drama that chronicles the extraordinary life of legendary musician Ray Charles, focusing on his rise from hardship to global stardom. Born into poverty and blinded at a young age by a tragic accident, Ray grows up facing immense personal and social barriers, shaped further by racial discrimination in mid-20th-century America.

Driven by resilience and an unshakable belief in music as salvation, Ray leaves his childhood behind and embarks on a defining journey that eventually leads him to Seattle. There, he begins to forge his distinctive sound—an unprecedented fusion of gospel, blues, jazz, and country—that would go on to redefine modern American music.

Portrayed with remarkable intensity by Jamie Foxx, Ray is depicted not only as a musical genius but also as a deeply flawed human being. The film does not shy away from his struggles with addiction, turbulent relationships, and the personal costs of fame. Instead, it presents an unfiltered portrait of an artist wrestling with inner demons while reshaping the cultural landscape.

More than a traditional success story, Ray is a moving exploration of creativity, loss, and redemption. It stands as a tribute to an artist whose influence transcended genre boundaries and whose voice forever changed the sound of popular music.