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Queen of Katwe
2016 124 min United States of America PG 18+
★7.6
Drama
Director: Mira Nair
🎭 Based on
«The Queen Of Katwe»
byTim Crothers
Trailers
EN
Teaser
Description
A young girl overcomes her disadvantaged upbringing in the slums of Uganda to become a Chess master.
Budget:
$15M
US Gross:
$8.87M
Worldwide:
$10.37M
Starring
Madina Nalwanga
Actor
David Oyelowo
Actor
Lupita Nyong'o
Actor
Awards
4 wins & 30 nominations total
Key opinion
Queen of Katwe is a heartfelt and inspiring biographical drama that eschews typical Disney sports tropes to focus on the resilience and humanity of its Ugandan subjects. While some critics note technical flaws or a predictable narrative, the performances and emotional sincerity are widely praised as compelling.
| Acting | Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo deliver powerful, standout performances that anchor the film's emotional weight. | |
| Theme | The film succeeds as an uplifting and poignant biographical drama that effectively explores themes of poverty, resilience, and hope. | |
| Originality | The narrative avoids the typical 'superhero' sports tropes, offering a refreshing and grounded take on a true-life story. | |
| Production | The vivid, saturated cinematography and authentic casting successfully capture the beauty and atmosphere of the Ugandan setting. | |
| Pacing | Opinions on the pacing are split; some find the film’s measured, contemplative approach to the chess matches compelling, while others feel it occasionally drags or lacks sufficient excitement. | |
| Editing | While the story is widely considered engrossing, critics are divided on the technical execution, citing issues with audio, continuity, and dialogue that detract from the overall polish. |