The Queen's Gambit

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 23, 2020
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 173 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 152 out of 173
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 173
  3. Negative: 13 out of 173
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User Reviews

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  1. TomWish
    Nov 14, 2020
    6
    At first I was glad that they didn't depict the orphanage as a hellhole, but then it was a little bit too much in the other direction, with all nice and diverse people.

    Also Beth's chess skills are a way over the top which makes this rather a fairy tale than a real life story. Towards the end it got a little too cheesy for my taste. This is a pity because the young Beth is absolutely    At first I was glad that they didn't depict the orphanage as a hellhole, but then it was a little bit too much in the other direction, with all nice and diverse people.

    Also Beth's chess skills are a way over the top which makes this rather a fairy tale than a real life story. Towards the end it got a little too cheesy for my taste.

    This is a pity because the young Beth is absolutely lovely and also the grown up actor really good (would like to see more of her). After all it was all nice to watch, but (despite the sex & drugs content) rather a childish entertainment.    … Expand
  2. SillySallyy
    Dec 14, 2020
    6
    Like others have said, could have done better as a movie. There wasn't enough meaningful content to cover 7 episodes. I very much enjoyed how the series was filmed as well as the costumes and decor. The camerawork during the chess matches plays with lots of suspense and makes something like chess far more intriguing than I thought. It came out of the gates strong but towards the end ILike others have said, could have done better as a movie. There wasn't enough meaningful content to cover 7 episodes. I very much enjoyed how the series was filmed as well as the costumes and decor. The camerawork during the chess matches plays with lots of suspense and makes something like chess far more intriguing than I thought. It came out of the gates strong but towards the end I found I was finishing it just to finish it and the last few episode became quite predictable. It's good enough to give it a watch, just don't expect to be blown away.… Expand
  3. Am92
    Dec 14, 2020
    5
    Would’ve made more sense for it to be a movie, so many scenes where absolutely nothing happened but cheaply disguised as plot or character development . Never in my life have I seen a more detestable main character, even though she’s an orphan I somehow hated her. Besides her intelligence, she was devoid of any good qualities. Finally she faced minimal adversity, making it a bit of a jokeWould’ve made more sense for it to be a movie, so many scenes where absolutely nothing happened but cheaply disguised as plot or character development . Never in my life have I seen a more detestable main character, even though she’s an orphan I somehow hated her. Besides her intelligence, she was devoid of any good qualities. Finally she faced minimal adversity, making it a bit of a joke for me towards the latter stages. Massively overrated. Having said that there were great moments sprinkled throughout but that’s it.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best TV Season of 2020
13
#13 Most Discussed TV Season of 2020
60
#60 Most Shared TV Season of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    Oct 30, 2020
    88
    Everything that works in writer-director Scott Frank’s highly bingeworthy adaptation of “The Queen’s Gambit,” which is most everything about it, comes from treating Walter Tevis’ 1983 novel just seriously enough. ... The results aren’t “important," or “improving.” They’re just pretty irresistible.
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  2. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Kelly Lawler
    Oct 28, 2020
    88
    "Queen's" [script] is electrifying. Frank's direction is full of quick cuts, artful framing and beautiful shots. Paired with the superb score, "Queen's" gives the series' many chess matches near Olympic tension and gravitas, as exciting as any great sports film. But "Queen's" wouldn't sing without Taylor-Joy, who turns in one of the best performances of her already celebrated young career.
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  3. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Emily VanDerWerff
    Oct 27, 2020
    80
    Taylor-Joy’s cerebral acting meshes perfectly with Beth’s story. She’s an actor of micro-expressions, of flickers of eyes and twitches of lips, and what makes The Queen Gambit such a good fit for her is the way she keeps both the viewer and Beth’s opponents at arm’s length.
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