An orphan finds she has a predilection for chess that becomes an obsession and a career.
Review 2020 by Flytrap
The Queen’s Gambit
Written by: Scott Frank, Allan Scott, Walter Tevis
Directed by: Scott Frank
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Isla Johnston, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Marielle Heller, Harry Melling, Bill Camp, Moses Ingram
Complete cast and crew are here
On Netflix
Running time: 7 episodes
Learning to play from a janitor in the basement of the orphanage, she grows up to become a grandmaster while fighting isolation and addiction and her own stubborn uncertainties.
This doesn’t sound so thrilling, and this could easily have been filled with stereotypical nerdiness, but Taylor-Joy breathes so deeply into this character, she creates a uniquely eccentric woman with relatable conflicts she must overcome. Smartly directed, this period piece has some stunning views of Las Vegas and Moscow in the ’60s and an excellent soundtrack. And a big shoutout to Thomas Brodie-Sangster, as the declining champion who doggedly mentors his successor.
I highly recommend this one. There is some language and a few situations that might make it unsuitable for kids.
Flytrap rating: 10/10
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