This is flat-out one of the most entertaining and moving true life stories I have ever seen on a movie screen. The fact that it is a locally made film just delights me.

| Sep 9, 2021

Cliff Curtis's superb performance as Gen raises a sometimes saccharine genre, that of the inspirational mentor, to amazing heights...

| Aug 27, 2021

The end result shows the best of what feature filmmaking can be.

| Original Score: A | Oct 22, 2019

Propped up by good storytelling and powerful performances, "The Dark Horse" is uplifting and moving without falling into the usual traps that occur with other films of its kind.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 23, 2018

A hugely chunked-up Curtis, a Kiwi actor who's worked all over the world but returned home to star in and help produce Robertson's film, is masterly here.

| Aug 10, 2016

This year, Disney bypassed the feel-good sports movie, and luckily for U.S. audiences, we got a smaller but better version with The Dark Horse.

| Original Score: 4 1/2/5 | Jul 15, 2016

A great, deeply affecting movie.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Jun 1, 2016

"The Dark Horse" fully understands that it requires more than cheap uplift to make its true story a truly 'good' goodhearted film rather than just a goodhearted one.

| Original Score: 6/10 | May 22, 2016

A serious, even solemn, tale of personal redemption.

Full Review | Apr 29, 2016

The Dark Horse is a rough beauty of a picture.

| Apr 29, 2016

The Dark Horse takes us intriguingly deep into subcultures we might not otherwise know. Unfortunately, it uses storytelling devices so overly familiar and so flatly executed, they blunt what we see.

| Apr 27, 2016

"The Dark Horse" is a showcase for Cliff Curtis and shows the actor can give a convincing, sincere and sympathetic lead performance.

| Original Score: B | Apr 25, 2016

It's to The Dark Horse's great benefit that this is the rare inspirational true-life story that doesn't shoehorn a fountain of relentless optimism for the future into the proceedings.

| Original Score: B- | Apr 15, 2016

If there were any justice in the Academy Awards, Curtis would be a front runner for Best Actor for this "Raging Bull"-level performance.

| Original Score: A minus | Apr 15, 2016

It might get corny but for Robertson's unaffectedly gritty settings and understanding that modest gains can be enough for checkmate.

| Original Score: B+ | Apr 15, 2016

Curtis is 100-per-cent watchable as a puffy, mumbling shuffler whose chess lessons double as life strategies.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 15, 2016

Curtis sells us on both the man's frailty and his drive; his performance alone is enough of a reason to check this one out.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 14, 2016

"Dark Horse" falls into the formula of underprivileged kids challenging the elites at their own game. But the outcome is never certain.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 14, 2016

We've seen a thousand mentor-making-a-difference movies before, but not like this one.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 14, 2016

Potoni can't trust his own instincts, let alone convince others to trust him with vulnerable kids. Curtis makes you see that internal tension, raising the stakes on what would otherwise be a conventional inspirational drama.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 14, 2016