Netflix’s Best Miniseries Takes Less Than 7 Hours to Binge—and Chess Isn’t Required

Beth’s Chess Journey

Based on Walter Tevis’s book of the same name, The Queen’s Gambit stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon. The orphaned prodigy aims to become world champion, while dependence on drugs and alcohol complicates her competitive career.

A Complete Story Arc

The miniseries uses its limited run to tell a cohesive story, moving through comedy, tragedy, determination and triumph. Its plot progresses without being stretched out or held back by stalled developments.

The themes of trauma and substance abuse bring emotional intensity, but the show also explores companionship and hope. Those contrasts give viewers a sense of Beth’s inner struggle without making the series relentlessly bleak.

Chess Beyond The Board

Viewers do not need to know the game to follow the series. Taylor-Joy and the characters’ evident passion help make chess engaging even for people whose past experiences with it were dull. The show’s appeal extends beyond its subject: its brisk, novel-like structure makes it suited to a weekend watch, with enough substance to fill the time.

Taylor-Joy’s Awarded Performance

Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of Beth is a major part of the series’ appeal. Her performance earned a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film, as well as a Screen Actors Guild award.

Positive reviews frequently singled out her work as central to the show’s success. The character’s dark, troubled side sits alongside her likability, helping anchor the story.