Critical Thinking(2020)

Based on a true story. Directorial Debut of John Leguizamo.

Teacher Mario Martinez (John Leguizamo) leads the 1998 Miami Jackson High School Chess Team to the State Championship. Marcel (Jeffry Batista), the team’s best player, beats undefeated Akopyan (Brandon Somers) in the final match. This was the first time an inner city school chess team won the State championship.

Ito (Jorge Leneborg, Jr.), who did not join the team at the State Championship matches, walks away from a criminal lifestyle. Over the end credits, we see the real Mario Martinez and the students reflecting back on what chess has meant to them in their lives.