Anya Taylor-Joy has finally come into her own and absolutely nailed it.
A brilliant character sketch of a young chess prodigy at the height of the Cold War – which could pass off as a true story and probably win a couple of Emmys. It still will. It better – The Queen’s Gambit is probably one of the best shows of 2020.
The pace while slow to begin with, soon picks up and culminates in an exhilarating finale that would leave any grandmaster speechless.
For a show that eats, sleeps and breathes chess, it does a remarkable job at breaking free and being so much more than just that.
The period drama dives deep into the murky world of addiction and abuse – all the while keenly chipping away at the diamond in the rough, as the transformation unfolds before the viewer’s eyes.
It could have been a cold, heartless affair. However, the show revels in its emotional acuity – of love, loss & acceptance – all thanks to some sharp writing and magical camerawork.
Some inspired casting choices in Anya Taylor-Joy, Marielle Heller, Harry Melling, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd & Moses Ingram make for fantastic viewing over the span of 7 episodes.
The Queen’s Gambit – based on the book with the same name by Walter Tevis – is an exemplary tale of what it means to be human and that we all share the same aspirations, hopes and dreams.
It may be a game of chess, but isn’t that what life is all about?