Released: 23rd October 2020
Number of Episodes: 7
Certificate: 15
Created by: Scott Frank and Allan Scott
Where to Watch: Netflix
For many centuries, chess has been both a complicated and competitive past-time around the globe. While initially learning the moves of rooks, knights and pawns is challenging enough, the game has a far deeper tactical depth that only the master players can fully adopt. It’s the central topic of The Queen’s Gambit, a near impeccable production that places its most important pieces where it matters.
Adapted from the novel by Walter Tevis, The Queen’s Gambit concerns a prodigy chess player named Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) who rises to compete against the grand masters across the United States and beyond. The locations grow more extravagant and the players more skilled as she looks to best an ever-increasing competition. We never leave her perspective and just like the source material, the series is laser-focused on Beth’s affinity for the game and the internalised problems she needs to overcome. Addiction, alcoholism and isolation from others all play a heavy role through the episodes as they threaten to damage and demolish her talents. It’s an effective dramatic tension that persists both on and off the chess boards. What’s especially poignant is that the show keeps Beth’s upbringing under wraps in its opening and loops back to a full reveal as she slowly overcomes difficulties. This consistent sense of progression is always present throughout.
What matters the most in The Queen's Gambit are its characters and every member of the cost does a fantastic job. Beth Harman is played beautifully by Isla Johnston and Anya Taylor-Joy respectively; the latter slowly inches the character out of her introverted persona. At first, she appears rather cold and anti-social, but this goes hand-in-hand with her upbringing and the loss of her parents. Her attachment to chess is incredibly well-established in the opening episode and from here, the protagonist’s skill continues to grow. Of course, the greater layer manifests itself with her adult self and the adversity of personal issues ends up becoming far greater than the pressure to become world champion. You root for her the whole way as a result.
There are many side characters and despite occasionally wobbling in terms of balance, they are nevertheless equally well rounded and all play a part in helping Beth overcome challenges. Bill Camp’s Mr Shaibel serves as Harman’s introduction to chess, teaching her the basics and kicking off her ascent. On the other hand, her adoptive mother Alma Wheatley (Marielle Heller) serves a great deal of emotional support, Finally, a collection of skilled players comprised of Harry Beltik (Harry Melling), Townes (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) and Benny Watts (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) all make their own impacts on Beth’s life, going from opponents to friends along the way.
For its smaller scale, TQG can also boast of its committed production values. Across both the 1950s and 1960s, the slick colour palette is matched by top authenticity and lighting that perfectly complements every game played. It also feeds into Beth herself. Often the viewpoint will pan upwards to the ceiling, visualising the countless piece movements on an imaginary board. This presentation method projects her mental processes in an effective and easy-to-understand manner while also emphasising the character’s intellect. Musically, the series makes heavy use of delicate piano pieces, which tie in with both Harmen’s guardian and the precision of her moves. In short, just about every element of The Queen’s Gambit accomplishes multiple things at once, making it an immaculate part of every episode.
With its brilliant performances and detailed visualisation of both play and setting, The Queen’s Gambit is an excellent tale that will keep you firmly invested across all seven episodes. Its love of both the game and its characters generates a remarkably determined and uplifting tone, making it one of the best small-screen releases of the year.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (Brilliant)
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