Is SEX and the checkmate! Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2016)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of SEX and the checkmate! (2016), audiences are invited back into the world of various. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Kouka's father, Kosaka, was a professional shogi player obsessed with money and women, and met a brutal death. Despite her mother's objections, she became obsessed with the greedy path of shogi, greedily seeking victory. But she is taught the ways of shogi and women by an erotic shogi player."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Ayaka Tomoda feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good cinema. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is SEX and the checkmate! worth your time? If you appreciate various films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, SEX and the checkmate! misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 74 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.