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The Queen's Gambit

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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79

USER SCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 746 Ratings

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3.0

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3.0	Your Score
3.0	User Score Generally unfavorable reviews based on 746 Ratings

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The Queen's Gambit

Now Playing: The Queen's Gambit

The Queen's Gambit

Series Details & Credits

Netflix | Release Date: October 23, 2020

Summary: The seven-episode series based on Walter Tevis's novel of the same name follows young orphan Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) as she grows up and battles addiction while seeking to become the best chess player in the world during the Cold War.

Genre(s): Drama, Movie/Mini-Series

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Recent Episodes

tbd
S1:E7. End Game
Air Date: October 23, 2020
tbd
S1:E6. Adjournment
Air Date: October 23, 2020
tbd
S1:E5. Fork
Air Date: October 23, 2020

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

79

Positive:

24

Mixed:

4

Negative:

0

Critic Reviews

100

The Daily Beast

Malcolm Jones

Oct 26, 2020

Season 1 Review: It is Anya Taylor-Joy, playing Beth from the age of 13 to 22 in a seemingly effortless metamorphosis, who makes Frank’s film work, particularly in the way she beautifully articulates the inwardness, the fury, and the intelligence of Tevis’ creation. ... The drama that matters most is played out not on a board but on Beth’s face and in her body language, and in her heart. And thanks to the stunning collaborative skill of Scott Frank and Anya Taylor-Joy, there’s never any doubt about what that heart holds. Read full review

94

Paste Magazine

Allison Keene

Oct 20, 2020

Season 1 Review: With excellent pacing and a sure sense of itself out of the gate, The Queen’s Gambit is a work of art—riveting, radiant, and simply spellbinding. Like Beth, it triumphs through its devotion to a love of the game. Read full review

90

The Hollywood Reporter

Dan Fienberg

Oct 20, 2020

Season 1 Review: Taylor-Joy's tour de force performance — one that deserves awards recognition over the months to come — is integral to the success of The Queen's Gambit, but it's far from the seven-episode saga's only asset. Boasting a novelistic, steady momentum, The Queen's Gambit works for many of the same reasons Netflix's The Crown works: It's smart, lavishly produced television for inquisitive grownups, even when it's very much operating within a genre prone to familiar rhythms. It's something to relish. Read full review

80

Vanity Fair

Richard Lawson

Oct 22, 2020

Season 1 Review: It flows swiftly and elegantly, recovering from a few stumbles with grace and aplomb. Its final conclusions have a striking power. Read full review

80

Los Angeles Times

Robert Lloyd

Oct 23, 2020

Season 1 Review: It is very good — thoughtful, exciting, entertaining. Read full review

75

The A.V. Club

Danette Chavez

Oct 23, 2020

Season 1 Review: The Queen’s Gambit is actually aware that its protagonist can occasionally be a jerk. For all the assured direction and exotic locales—including a jaunt to Paris—Beth’s internal journey is the most captivating element of The Queen’s Gambit. The series may border on wish fulfillment at times, but at least it casts a spell. Read full review

40

The Telegraph Anita Singh

Oct 23, 2020

Season 1 Review: It is one of those expensive-looking period pieces that Netflix and Amazon money can do so well – swoon at the costumes and cars, purr with pleasure at the soundtrack. But the heroine at its centre is other-worldly to the point of annoyance. Read full review

SEE ALL 28 REVIEWS

Write a Review

3.0

User Reviews

10

al3oscuro

Nov 5, 2020

. It is perfect for everyone who loves chess and for those who do not know it it is a 10/10 in all history, plot, performances, music, etc.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

10

Asarim

Jan 9, 2021

Une série parfaitement bien réalisée et originale, le thème des échecs est étonnamment très attirant. Un jeu d'acteur très bien mené (mention spéciale aux acteurs de Beth et Borgov).

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

10

Hoplite

Oct 26, 2020

This show is so good... I actually did not like the first episode, but I was intrigued, and after second episode i was hooked, all the way to overwhelming finale. This is storytelling at its best.

10 of 14 users found this helpful104

9

AVLNCH

Apr 18, 2021

Gripping from the beginning, The Queen's Gambit really is a small gem that shines bright. Well-written, well-casted and accompanied by intelligent direction, the story feels so much bigger than the 7 episodes, which I binged in a day as it really was that good. Anya-Taylor Joy brings BethGripping from the beginning, The Queen's Gambit really is a small gem that shines bright. Well-written, well-casted and accompanied by intelligent direction, the story feels so much bigger than the 7 episodes, which I binged in a day as it really was that good. Anya-Taylor Joy brings Beth Harmon so brilliantly to life and makes the role so very much her own. Whilst primarily based around the game of Chess, The Queen's Gambit does a great job at respecting its audience whether you're familiar or not. An amazing find and must-watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

8

drlowdon

Mar 21, 2021

Based on the novel of the same name, Queen's Gambit follows the life of orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon as she struggles with addiction whilst attempting to rise to the top of the chess world. I’ll admit that my knowledge of chess is fairly limited, but the show does a good job ofBased on the novel of the same name, Queen's Gambit follows the life of orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon as she struggles with addiction whilst attempting to rise to the top of the chess world. I’ll admit that my knowledge of chess is fairly limited, but the show does a good job of explaining some of the intricacies without over doing it, and instead focuses on Beth’s journey and struggles. The show is beautifully shot and full of great performances (Anya Taylor-Joy is phenomenal in the lead role) and I thoroughly enjoyed it from from start to finish.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

8

JLuis_001

Nov 15, 2020

Anya Taylor-Joy makes it clear that she has much, much to offer.
She just needs to start choosing her roles better.
She's the core force in this elegant and captivating miniseries, and while the entire production is top-notch, and this would of course be an excellent incentive to watch it,Anya Taylor-Joy makes it clear that she has much, much to offer.
She just needs to start choosing her roles better.

She's the core force in this elegant and captivating miniseries, and while the entire production is top-notch, and this would of course be an excellent incentive to watch it, her amazing work is the best reason to delight yourself with this production.

Not all the episodes have the same solidity, but if you see it as a massive 7-hour movie, it's gonna be more easy to keep up with the flow.
And the best of all, is that you don't need to be interested in chess.
I mean, it would be much better if you do, but this is by no means a crucial element to understand or to enjoy the show.

If you have Netflix, this is an excellent option.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

0

hyunwest

May 10, 2021

did not see why this was so hyped. didnt really get the message that this show was trying to say and even tho the whole chess visualization effect was cool, i felt like the character had no dimension to her. it was just that she was great at chess. could not relate to/empathize with her. itdid not see why this was so hyped. didnt really get the message that this show was trying to say and even tho the whole chess visualization effect was cool, i felt like the character had no dimension to her. it was just that she was great at chess. could not relate to/empathize with her. it was great performance by Harry, though. did not recognize him as the Dudley from Harry Potter at all.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

SEE ALL 71 REVIEWS

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Seasons & Episodes

79

Series Overview
Season 1

79
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E7. End Game
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E6. Adjournment
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E5. Fork
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E4. Middle Game
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E3. Doubled Pawns
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- tbd
  S1:E2. Exchanges
  Air Date: October 23, 2020
- 6.8
  S1:E1. Openings
  Air Date: October 23, 2020