Directed By: Jon S. Baird
Starring: Taron Egerton, Nikita Efremov, Toby Jones, Ayano Yamamoto, Igor Grabuzov
Plot Summary: “Tetris” tells the unbelievable story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to avid players around the globe. Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) discovers TETRIS in 1988, and then risks everything by traveling to the Soviet Union, where he joins forces with inventor Alexey Pazhitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the masses. Based on a true story, “Tetris” is a Cold War-era thriller on steroids, with double-crossing villains, unlikely heroes and a nail-biting race to the finish.
The video game Tetris is that rare and perfect combo of simple, yet effectively addictive. For many, it was a gateway into hours of pixelated fun. In a world where the gaming industry is globally worth billions, it’s easy to take the mighty little puzzle game for granted. Yet, you may never have realized the harrowing real life events that made it possible to bring this game to the United States during the Cold War.
Breaking down both the complexity of the Cold War and the tangled web of commerce while distilling it into an entertaining film is no easy feat. Yet, director Jon S. Baird does a really admirable job at providing the building blocks for an outing that is as compelling as it is engaging. The drier aspects are kept interesting thanks to cleverly using 8-bit game graphics. This is a nice touch which is not only aesthetically in line with the film, but is visually compelling.
Where the film really shines is when it’s acting as Cold War spy thriller. We get all the hallmarks of the genre, including surveillance photos, honey potting and mysterious goons threatening loved ones. This is all nice texture to the film’s larger theme, which is thriving in an oppressive country. Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) having the means to sell the beloved 8-bit game serves as a symbol of freedom from oppression of the USSR. Alexey using his genius to make this station in life better for him and his family is a beacon of hope for others in the country that want the same kind of freedom and autonomy over their lives. Tetris is also an underdog story, and who doesn’t want to root for the little guy, fighting huge forces and ultimately winning?
While the film is enjoyable, it does have some issues. Mainly, the pacing is a bit trying at times, and you could easily streamline certain narrative threads without losing anything. There is also no getting around the fact that the movie does tend to get a bit overly complicated at times. This may be a stumbling block for some players…I mean viewers. Not hammering home the juxtaposition between the 80’s high flying consumerism weighed against the Russian people just barely carving out a living feels like a big missed opportunity. The fact that a piece of tech like the Gameboy can thrive in the US is by virtue of kids having the luxury and free time. Baird flirts with these ideas but he never takes it far enough to be effective.
Taron Egerton headlines this film, and as always, he does a fantastic job. Egerton has a lot of charm and even if his mugging is almost at Jim Carrey levels, you cannot help but be transfixed by his presence. Nikita Efremov meanwhile makes a nice counterbalance to Egerton and the duo has a nice chemistry together. Toby Jones is always a delight, and as per the usual it is a treat seeing him truly devour a role. We would also be remiss in not giving Igor Grabuzov a shoutout for being such a fun, scummy villain.
Tetris may not be as much of a well-oiled machine as the game itself, but it is an engrossing and thrilling film that grips you and tells an amazing story that is long overdue.
Tetris will be available on AppleTV+ on March 31, 2023.
Tetris may not be as much of a well-oiled machine as the game itself, but it is an engrossing and thrilling film that grips you and tells an amazing story that is long overdue.
Big film nerd and TCM Obsessed. Author of The Ultimate Guide to Strange Cinema from Schiffer Publishing. Resume includes: AMC’s The Bite, Scream Magazine etc. Love all kinds of movies and television and have interviewed a wide range of actors, writers, producers and directors. I currently am a regular co-host on the podcast The Humanoids from the Deep Dive and have a second book in the works from Bear Manor.
