The Queen’s Gambit Christian Review
The Queen’s Gambit is one of those rare shows that comes along and reminds you why stories matter. At first glance, it’s a drama centered around chess—a seemingly quiet, cerebral game. But look closer, and you realize it’s not just about the movement of pieces across a board. It’s a haunting portrait of the human mind, a tale of obsession, genius, and pain all wrapped into one breathtaking package. It’s also a story that Christians might view with a complicated mix of admiration and unease. Because, while it captures the intricacies of brilliance, it also confronts the darkness that often accompanies it.
Beth Harmon, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, is the living embodiment of the tortured prodigy. There’s something almost ethereal about her portrayal—her presence on screen radiates a mix of vulnerability and raw intensity. She’s someone you can’t look away from, no matter how much you might want to when she spirals into the depths of addiction and self-destruction. It’s a powerful reminder that even the most dazzling gifts come with a cost. And for Beth, that cost is more than just loneliness; it’s a relentless, gnawing emptiness that no amount of victories can fill.
The Seduction of Brilliance
What draws you in is Beth’s mind—its sheer, unrelenting force. The way she sees the game is unlike anything her opponents can grasp. She visualizes it in her head, almost like a dance. The show does a remarkable job of making chess—the sport most of us associate with stuffy rooms and stern faces—feel electrifying. You get caught up in the thrill of her skill, mesmerized by the elegance with which she decimates her opponents.
But as compelling as it is to watch Beth’s rise, there’s a disquieting undercurrent to it all. From a Christian perspective, it’s easy to see that her brilliance, while dazzling, is also consuming her. The Bible speaks often about the dangers of idolizing human talent and achievement. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). Beth is gaining the world—or at least the world of chess—but at what cost? Her mind, her focus, her very soul are poured out for the sake of a game. The show subtly hints at this imbalance, making it clear that for Beth, winning isn’t just a goal—it’s a lifeline.
A Life Shaped by Loss
There’s a reason why Beth clings to chess so desperately. Her journey begins in an orphanage, where the structured precision of the game becomes a refuge from the chaos of her life. Chess gives her a sense of control, a sanctuary amidst the heartbreak of losing her family. But that sanctuary comes with its own perils.
It’s in that same orphanage that Beth is introduced to the pills that will later haunt her life. Little green tranquilizers, handed out like candy, are supposed to keep the children docile. For Beth, they become something far more sinister—a key to unlocking her mind, or so she believes. This dependency is chillingly real and serves as a powerful metaphor for the ways the world offers temporary solutions to deep, spiritual wounds.
For Christian viewers, this aspect of Beth’s story should serve as a warning. There’s a real spiritual danger in the things we turn to for comfort when life gets hard. Beth’s addiction is portrayed not as a glamorous, rock-and-roll rebellion, but as a quiet, insidious trap that ensnares her before she’s even aware of it. She reaches for the pills and alcohol not because she wants to, but because she feels she needs them to maintain her brilliance. It’s a heartbreaking picture of the enslavement that sin can bring.
The Illusion of Control
Beth’s rise through the chess world is as exhilarating as it is tragic. With every victory, she gains more fame, more recognition. But with every step forward, the addiction tightens its grip. There’s a moment in the series where she’s alone in her dark apartment, bottles of liquor littered around her, and she looks utterly defeated despite her success. It’s a stark reminder that no amount of external success can fix what’s broken inside.
The show portrays this inner turmoil with brutal honesty. Beth is fighting not just her opponents, but herself. And in many ways, her biggest rival isn’t the world champion she’s chasing, but the darkness within her own heart. It’s here that The Queen’s Gambit takes on a spiritual dimension. The Bible speaks of the heart as “deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9), and you see this played out in Beth’s journey. Her own heart, her own mind—her greatest gifts—are also her greatest enemies.
A World Without Redemption?
Despite its brilliance, there’s something unsettling about The Queen’s Gambit. For all its focus on Beth’s internal battles, the show never really acknowledges a greater power at work. There’s no mention of God, no sense that Beth’s gift might be something given to her for a purpose beyond self-glorification. And while she does find a sort of redemption in the end, it’s a fragile, self-made redemption that feels hollow.
Christians watching might find themselves longing for a different kind of resolution. There are glimmers of hope—moments where people reach out to Beth, offering her friendship, support, even love. But in the end, she remains a solitary figure. The show’s vision of redemption is one of human resilience, not divine grace. And that’s where it falls short. Beth’s story, while compelling, feels incomplete. Because true redemption can’t be found in winning, or even in overcoming one’s own demons. It can only be found in Christ.
A Complicated Triumph
So what do we, as Christians, make of The Queen’s Gambit? It’s undeniably a masterpiece of storytelling, a work of art that’s as visually stunning as it is emotionally gripping. But it’s also a cautionary tale. Beth’s genius is portrayed as something awe-inspiring, but it’s also something that isolates her, drives her, and nearly destroys her.
There’s much to admire in her perseverance, her drive, and her refusal to give up even when the odds are stacked against her. But there’s also a deep sadness in her story. She’s chasing something—whether it’s victory, meaning, or simply peace of mind—that she can’t seem to grasp. And while the show ends on a note of triumph, it’s a muted, melancholy triumph. Because without God, without real purpose, even the greatest victories are hollow.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, The Queen’s Gambit is a show that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll. It’s a celebration of human talent, a critique of its excesses, and a sobering reminder that the very things that make us exceptional can also be our downfall. For Christian viewers, it’s a call to remember that our gifts, no matter how great, are not what define us. Our true worth lies not in what we achieve, but in who we are in Christ.
I would give The Queen’s Gambit a 7.5 out of 10. It’s a work of art, no doubt. But it’s also a portrait of a soul adrift, searching for meaning in all the wrong places. It’s beautiful, haunting, and ultimately, just a little bit sad.
