The Queen’s Gambit

Throughout her young life, chess prodigy Beth Harmon faces and overcomes major challenges: being abandoned, abuse in a harsh orphanage, misogynistic beliefs that she could not succeed in chess, adoptive parents who very much had their own problems and were not on her side, self-doubt, and eventually alcoholism. Her journey here is inspiring and joyful as she adapts her approach to new opponents and never gives up. Harmon is played by Anya Taylor-Joy, in what was hailed as her breakout role; it was that, though she’d already done exceptional work in The Witch (her best performance before this series), Split, Glass, Emma, and The Northman.

I’ve had friends in recovery tell me they can’t watch this show because of the lead character’s problem with alcohol. I don’t agree. In the context of her struggles, determination, and triumphs, her alcoholism is not a crisis or even a flaw; it’s just another part of her life, another obstacle that does not derail her. What makes this series shine is the way she almost gives up, yet keeps coming back; sometimes with the help of friends, and sometimes not. When she loses, you feel for her, and it makes her subsequent victories more resounding and heart-felt. Each time she is embraced, whether by friends, competitors, fans, crowds, or chess-playing strangers on the streets of Moscow, we in the audience are completely on her side. For me, there’s no difference between applauding the show and applauding Beth’s talents and journey or Anya Taylor-Joy’s incredible performance; it’s all one gorgeous masterpiece.

See the Time review and the Den of Geek review.