The Queen's Gambit

Despite its widespread acclaim, The Queen’s Gambit left me underwhelmed. While it’s visually stunning, with impeccable cinematography and an enviable wardrobe capturing the period’s style, the series struggles to deliver a truly compelling narrative. It often teases moments of dramatic potential, only to either underplay them or abandon them altogether.
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Set in the 1950s and 60s, The Queen’s Gambit follows Beth Harmon, a chess prodigy who rises through the male-dominated world of competitive chess while grappling with addiction and personal demons. The miniseries chronicles her journey from a troubled orphanage to global fame, exploring her relationships, triumphs, and struggles along the way.

Chess, ostensibly the backbone of the story, feels like a missed opportunity. Instead of immersing the viewer in the intricacies of the game, the show opts for vague jargon and montage-heavy sequences that fail to explain or showcase Beth’s supposed genius. For a series about a chess prodigy, it offers little insight into her strategy or what makes her style so groundbreaking. The portrayal of professional chess feels exaggerated and disconnected from reality, leaning on clichés and surface-level dramatisation rather than depth.

The acting is commendable, with Anya Taylor-Joy giving a strong performance as Beth Harmon. She embodies the character’s intensity and vulnerability, but the material doesn’t give her enough complexity to truly shine. The supporting cast does well within their limited roles, but the show’s reliance on predictable character arcs and subplots weakens the overall impact.

One of the most frustrating aspects is how the series handles its subplots. Threads that could add emotional weight or stakes—Beth’s relationships, her struggles with addiction, and her journey through a patriarchal chess world—are touched upon but rarely explored in a meaningful way. This superficial approach diminishes the emotional resonance and leaves the story feeling contrived.

For all its style and potential, The Queen’s Gambit often feels like it’s going through the motions. While it successfully establishes a polished aesthetic, it doesn’t delve deeply into its characters or the world they inhabit. The result is a show that’s pleasant enough to watch but lacks the substance to be truly memorable.