The Dark Horse

A troubled genius finds redemption through the game of chess, teaching life lessons to those in need.

Critics broadly praise Cliff Curtis's towering performance and a layered, deeply affecting true-story drama about mentorship and community.

• Genesis mentors Maori and Pacific youth in Auckland's underprivileged neighbourhoods, with the chess club as a means of cultural and social belonging
• Genesis is a chess prodigy whose bipolar disorder drives the film's tension between brilliance and instability
• Genesis finds purpose by teaching children chess and life lessons despite his own troubles

• Once Were Warriorsshared uplifting underdog drama, community mentorship, Maori and Pacific Islander working-class setting
• Akeelah and the Beeshared inspirational teacher-mentors-children arc with chess or sport as vehicle for self-worth
• Searching for Bobby Fischershared true-story biographical drama with a gifted but troubled protagonist finding purpose through teaching
• Murderballshared redemptive tone, mental illness handled with dignity, sincere community uplift

Director

James Napier Robertson

Release Date

2014-07-17

Runtime

124 min

Rating

6.3 / 10 (150)

What is The Dark Horse about?

A brilliant but troubled Maori chess champion in Auckland finds renewed purpose by teaching underprivileged children the game and the lessons it carries.

What is The Dark Horse like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Dark Horse as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.

Is The Dark Horse violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Dark Horse.

What did critics think of The Dark Horse?

Critics broadly praise Cliff Curtis's towering performance and a layered, deeply affecting true-story drama about mentorship and community.

Which films are like The Dark Horse?

Films with a similar feel include Once Were Warriors, Akeelah and the Bee, Searching for Bobby Fischer, and Murderball.

How long is The Dark Horse?

The Dark Horse runs 124 minutes.

Where can I watch The Dark Horse?

In United States, The Dark Horse streams on fuboTV, The Roku Channel, The CW, Hoopla, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel, Tubi TV.