The Dark Horse

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Judy F Excellent acting showing overcoming mental illness and hope for young people with awful family backgrounds. So hard to stand up to the grubby gang violence Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/20/25 Full Review Tahu W Loved it, great nz film Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/16/23 Full Review Peter G An emotional & involving film experience which skirts mawkish sentimentality & presents a clear eyed view of the efforts of a homeless chess master to interest a group of aimless Maori young people in the game. Based on a New Zealand Maori chess master with a bi-polar condition & the difficulties he faces in his own life while training & encouraging this group, is a one of a kind film of its type & it leaves a hopeful message that is a fine tribute to the late Genesis Potini, the chess master. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/03/23 Full Review Audience Member It was ok overall, touching true story that takes place in New Zealand and it was interesting to see how he was able to help give these kids purpose and family while they enjoy playing chess to keep them off the streets. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Genesis, an old chess champ, returns to civilisation after years of going in and out of mental hospitals. He had a rough youth but found support in his brother and chess games. He returns to his brother, Ariki, since there is no one else, but he is living a harsh life. Staying at home drinking and taking drugs while his only focus is being a key man in a criminal gang. The gang are always at his place - being tough. Ariki has a son that lives in these environments, Mana. This threesome is the main figures here as they all have they're demons to fight. Genesis hooks up with an old mate and starts working with him. A chess club for kids that have little joy in they're lives. They are of to a national championship and this is naturally complicated. A very well told film. Actually a biography, but I'm not sure how similiar it is. I dig the story and there are some very nice acting here. Cliff Curtis as Genesis is amazing. It looks good, but some shaky-cam is a little downer. The music is very good - some NZ rap and some chiller, classical-ish piano vibes are playing at the right moments, creating atmospheres. Quite unheard of, but a very good film. It's emotional and no moments are wasted on unnecessaries. I found the chess tournament period a bit short, but again, 15 more minute of playtime could have been too much in total. 8.5 out of 10 patches. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review tink l Got to see this in-flight with AirNZ, loved it, I'd say it's Curtis' best performance to date; another great description of NZ's not so spick and span corners, and very real problems, not as violent as "Once were warriors", not as light-hearted and charming as in "boy". Great work. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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