The Queen's Gambit - A Netflix Series Review

Are you ready for the chess match? Elizabeth Harmon is a challenging component.

The Queen’s Gambit is a 2020 miniseries released to Netflix. Beth, a young orphan, discovers the world of chess. An extraordinary chess player, she transforms into a competitive player participating in several tournaments around the world. As she grows older, Beth is spawned with personal challenges.

It doesn’t take long until you are pulled into the exciting depths of Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit. Noticing that the series was getting huge hype, especially during awards season, I binged the entire series. The Queen’s Gambit is an entertaining, well-acted, and cinematically stunning series.

Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance as Beth is commemorative. Having zero knowledge herself about the world of chess, Taylor-Joy’s enigmatic countenance is to be praised. I am impressed with the way Taylor-Joy conveyed herself at different ages. Her wins for Best Actress in a Limited Series are well-deserved.

Since she was nine, Beth is an incredible chess player discovering it from a kind maintenance worker in the orphanage. Not letting life’s turmoils get in her way, Beth becomes a champion chess player. Beth is a complex character. Because she has always been introverted, Beth has to learn a lesson to let people help her.

It’s not every day when you share the same name with an actress. Marielle Heller’s approach to the role of Alma was fascinating. Having gone through many dilemmas, her love for Beth turns everything around. Instead of turning herself into a ruthless character, like I was expecting, Heller and Taylor-Joy created a heartwarming mother-daughter relationship.

Every interaction is a vital segment in the story. Credits to include are Thomas Brodie-Sangston, Harry Melling, Bill Camp, Marcin Dorocinski, Moses Ingram, and many more memorable characters. I am sure Harry Potter fans will recognize Dudley Dursley. Isla Johnson deserves more recognition for her role as the bright young Beth.

Jolene deserved more attention. She is one of my favorite characters. I really like what the writers did with her character along with Ingram’s portrayal. Beth and Jolene are wonderful friends who share a sweet friendship. Friendship is a gift.

Cinematically, scenes that take place on the chessboard are well-directed. Filmmakers did an incredible job creating the visuals for when Beth hypothesizes chess moves. Even if you are not a chess player watching this series will make you want to learn. A lot goes into playing chess. I have never played a game of chess, but I had a fun time watching how it was played.

Scott Frank included numerous subtleties right down to how the players move their pieces. The way he portrayed sportsmanship is a meaningful lesson for all who are involved in sports.

This is a detail that my friend and I noticed while we were watching. If you watch the movements closely it depicts how confident the characters become at making their moves.

Alcoholism and substance abuse are prominent themes. The series does not hold back from showing the negative depictions of how one can become addicted. A brilliant lesson that Frank incorporated in the story is that we can never fight our problems alone. Always ask for help.

Finding our passion is a given. As someone who has a passion to write, watching this series made me value my passion all the more. Except we have to make room to enjoy other parts of life. Spend time with friends, share a laugh with your family, and don’t let your passion consume you.

I recommend that you go watch The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix. It is very easy to get captured into the story.