The Chess Player

The Chess Player

201798 min6.3 / 10

A historical drama about survival and human connection forged through chess in the shadow of Nazi imprisonment.

In 1934 Diego Padilla wins the Spanish Championship of Chess and meets a French journalist, Marianne Latour, and they fall in love. At the end of the Civil War, Marianne convinces Diego to live in France with their daughter, where shortly afterwards Diego will be accused of spying by the Nazis and imprisoned in an SS prison. In prison, Diego will try to survive in a hostile environment thanks to Colonel Maier's passion for chess.

Essence

Ensemble

Closest match

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same mood

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Go darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Something gentler

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Hidden gem

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.