The Dark Horse Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

Last modified: Jul. 2, 2016

The Dark Horse

Release Date: Friday, April 1, 2016 Limited

A powerful true story based on the life of Genesis Potini, a brilliant chess champion who, despite struggles with mental illness, found the courage to lead a group of underprivileged children to the National Chess Championships and purpose in teaching them the love of the game.

Director: James Napier Robertson

Starring: Cliff Curtis • James Rolleston • Sia Trokenheim

R Drama 2 hrs, 4 m

4.6 / 5

55% WILL SEE 45% WON'T SEE

Coming Soon On Amazon

A powerful true story based on the life of Genesis Potini, a brilliant chess champion who, despite struggles with mental illness, found the courage to lead a group of underprivileged children to the National Chess Championships and purpose in teaching them the love of the game.

Plot

What's the story about?

Plot: The film features Cliff Curtis as Genesis “Gen” Potini, a brilliant but troubled New Zealand chess champion who finds purpose by teaching underprivileged children about the rules of chess and life.

After years in and out of mental institutions, Genesis is released into the care of his estranged brother Ariki (Wayne Hapi) and thrust into his volatile gang lifestyle. Seeking to escape this toxic environment, Genesis finds solace by volunteering at the Eastern Knights chess club and sharing his gift with the disadvantaged Maori children of his community. Charismatic and impassioned, Gen encourages the group to train for the upcoming National Chess Championships. But his teaching puts him at odds with his brother when Ariki’s son Mana (James Rolleston) shows an interest in the game – chess is considered a distraction from the teen’s imminent initiation into his father’s gang. Genesis’s conflict with his brother and the violent gang, along with his ongoing battle with illness, threaten to ruin the hopeful progress Gen has made for himself and the young Eastern Knights. But Genesis’s positivity leads him to always search for light, even when the world seems at its darkest.

Drama

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Top Cast

The lead cast starring in The Dark Horse.

C
Cliff Curtis
Avatar: Fire and Ash, Risen
J
James Rolleston
Uproar, The Dead Lands
S
Sia Trokenheim

Crew Behind the Film

The The Dark Horse behind-the-scenes crew and production team.

The film's director James Napier Robertson last directed Joika. The film's writer James Napier Robertson last wrote Joika.

Director: James Napier Robertson
Screenwriter: James Napier Robertson

Studio: Broad Green Pictures
Production Companies: —

Production Details

What we know about the The Dark Horse movie production.

Production Updates for The Dark Horse

Aug 2015

Completed

Changed The Dark Horse movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

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Additional Information

Parent Rating: R Restricted for language throughout, and drug use
Runtime: 2 hrs, 4 m
Tagline: Not available
Also known as: Not available
Language: English

All Trailers

Watch official The Dark Horse movie trailers and clips.

Drama

The Dark Horse

Theatrical Trailer

Release Dates

When was the film released?

The Dark Horse was released in limited movie theaters on Friday, April 1, 2016. There were 10 other movies released on the same date, including Miles Ahead, Meet the Blacks and Darling. As a limited release, The Dark Horse was shown in select movie theaters in major markets.