If I simply heard that The Queen’s Gambit was a story about a chess prodigy and her personal struggles as she moves up in the chess world, I might never be compelled to see it. But take my word for it when I say this Netflix limited series is so much more, and it’s worth the watch.
Let me start this by saying that I know next to nothing about chess and nor do I care for the game. The Queen’s Gambit is more than just a story about a chess player, but a character study of an interesting character, Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy, Glass), and the events that lead to her suffering and successes. The series is also Scott Frank’s adaptation of the Walter Tevis novel of the same name, and Frank is not new to Netflix, having worked on one of their other originals Godless.
It starts off in Paris in 1967, where we see Beth waking up in a rush, hastily taking pills and getting dressed for a chess match. Then, we’re thrown back to her childhood after the car accident that made her an orphan. Young Beth (Irsa Johnston, National Treasure: Kiri) is sent to Methuen Home for Girls, where she meets friend Jolene (Moses Ingram, The Tragedy of Macbeth) and custodian Mr. Shaibel (Bill Camp, Dark Waters). After a lot of hesitance, Mr. Shaibel begins to play chess games with Beth and slowly teaches her different chess techniques. Meanwhile, Beth develops an addiction to the pills the employees at the orphanage are giving to the girls.
She begins to think about chess constantly, playing in her head on an imaginary chessboard on the ceiling right before she falls asleep. Eventually, she grows older and gets adopted, forming a tentative bond with her adoptive mother Alma Wheatley (Marielle Heller, Can You Ever Forgive Me?). Mr. Wheatley (Patrick Kennedy, Atonement) is absent most of the time as he’s always away and doesn’t seem to bother much with his wife. Beth begins to attend matches, and Ms. Wheatley, who seemed to be held back by her role at home, forms a closer connection with her. The pair travel for matches and start to blossom into more confident versions of themselves. Beth’s talent is clear, and she wins nearly every match, proving to everyone that she’s a force to be reckoned with. Still, she is grappling with addiction to pills and alcohol, as is her adoptive mother Alma. Beth continues on a path to success in the male-dominated world of chess, some of her struggles catching up to her as time passes.
The performances in The Queen’s Gambit are compelling and heartfelt. It’s easy to root for Beth and exciting to watch her succeed. The connections she has with the other characters are equally as intense and well done. Throughout the show, suspense will grip you as you wonder not whether or not Beth will be the amazing chess player she was clearly born to be, but about the fascinating ways in which she will pull it off. It makes you want to watch until the very end of the seven episode series.
Another aspect of note is the depiction of the chess matches. Chess is not necessarily the most interesting game to watch, but the matches in The Queen’s Gambit still brim with tension. It’s easy to follow what’s happening and see Beth use the different moves she’s learned over time. The focus is not only on the game, but on her emotions, on her power, and on how her mind works.
Ultimately, this is a story about someone with the odds set against them who achieves victory and glory. This limited series is thrilling, with a compelling character at its center. At times it can be slow or a little tragic, but you’ll always be wondering what comes next and how Beth will triumph. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a strong, emotional story with a sensational lead character and remarkable cast performances. The series is very well done and, despite its focus on a subject I care little for, not boring for a moment.
The Queen’s Gambit is now streaming on Netflix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDrieqwSdgI
