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Tetris

  • 2023
  • R
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
97K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,262
253
Taron Egerton in Tetris (2023)
“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 Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the masses.
Play trailer0:31
12 Videos
99+ Photos
DocudramaBiographyDramaHistoryThriller

Video game designer Henk Rogers seeks to secure global rights for Tetris (1984), leading to tense negotiations in the Soviet Union, involving creators, government, and corporate intrigues.Video game designer Henk Rogers seeks to secure global rights for Tetris (1984), leading to tense negotiations in the Soviet Union, involving creators, government, and corporate intrigues.Video game designer Henk Rogers seeks to secure global rights for Tetris (1984), leading to tense negotiations in the Soviet Union, involving creators, government, and corporate intrigues.

  • Director
    • Jon S. Baird
  • Writer
    • Noah Pink
  • Stars
    • Taron Egerton
    • Mara Huf
    • Miles Barrow
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    97K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,262
    253
    • Director
      • Jon S. Baird
    • Writer
      • Noah Pink
    • Stars
      • Taron Egerton
      • Mara Huf
      • Miles Barrow
    • 226User reviews
    • 151Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 nominations total

    Videos12

    Watch Now on Apple TV+
    Trailer 0:31
    Watch Now on Apple TV+
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:45
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:45
    Official Trailer
    Tetris
    Trailer 2:43
    Tetris
    Tetris: Final Countdown
    Clip 1:36
    Tetris: Final Countdown
    Tetris: I Never Thought Of That
    Clip 1:52
    Tetris: I Never Thought Of That
    Tetris: Tetris
    Clip 1:07
    Tetris: Tetris

    Photos224

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    + 219
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    Top cast57

    Edit
    Taron Egerton
    Taron Egerton
    • Henk Rogers
    Mara Huf
    Mara Huf
    • Tracy
    Miles Barrow
    • Dennis Jackson
    Rick Yune
    Rick Yune
    • Bank Manager
    Nikita Efremov
    Nikita Efremov
    • Alexey Pajitnov
    Toby Jones
    Toby Jones
    • Robert Stein
    Aleksey Shedko
    • Alexey's Lab Chief
    • (as Alexey Shedko)
    Natalia Gonchar
    • MCSC Secretary
    Oleg Stefan
    Oleg Stefan
    • Nikolai Belikov
    • (as Oleg Shtefanko)
    Roger Allam
    Roger Allam
    • Robert Maxwell
    Anthony Boyle
    Anthony Boyle
    • Kevin Maxwell
    Ayano Yamamoto
    Ayano Yamamoto
    • Nintendo Secretary Japan
    Nino Furuhata
    Nino Furuhata
    • Yamauchi's Assistant
    Togo Igawa
    Togo Igawa
    • Hiroshi Yamauchi
    Ayane Nagabuchi
    Ayane Nagabuchi
    • Akemi Rogers
    Kanon Narumi
    • Maya Rogers
    Timur Kassimkulov
    • Dmitri Pajitnov
    Mark Khismatullin
    • Peter Pajitnov
    • Director
      • Jon S. Baird
    • Writer
      • Noah Pink
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews226

    7.497K
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    Featured reviews

    7ColinTheGorilla

    Pretty cool

    I never knew this entire back story behind the success of Tetris. I was intrigued when I first saw the trailer and wonder if it could be any fun or good and I'm glad to say it's a pretty cool movie and I did enjoy it quite a ton. Taron Egerton did such a good job in the role and did some good acting and i think this movie was a pretty fun time and the whole story behind tetris. I think it was a pretty solid movie and now I want to play some tetris after watching this movie. This isn't groundbreaking but it's just a fun time in general which I think people should watch and I recommend to watch it.
    9IWasKnownAsThe1SentenceReviewer

    This drama will very likely make you experience the Tetris Effect

    This drama will very likely make you experience the "Tetris Effect": such a fun and mind-blowing story, with just enough of Hollywood made-up thrill to make it even more fun but, according to the articles this reviewer has read, otherwise very close to real-life events from the 90s.

    The cinematography is very pleasant, the pixelized plane taking the audience to round-the-world trips is cute, and for a child of that Nintendo/SEGA generation, the unveiling of the GameBoy was quite sublime.

    And of course, Taron Egerton is, as always, absolutely brilliant, so full of energy and, without a doubt, the best "Player 1" one could wish for.
    8MrDHWong

    Shows us the quirky, crazy risks taken to distribute one the most popular video games of all time

    "Tetris" is a biographical comedy thriller film based on the YouTube video "The Story of Tetris - Gaming Historian" by Norman Caruso. Directed by Jon S. Baird ("Filth", "Stan & Ollie") and starring Taron Egerton in the lead role, it shows us the quirky, crazy risks taken to distribute one the most popular video games of all time.

    In 1988, Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) works in marketing for the video game publishing company "Bullet-Proof Software". While attending the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Henk becomes fascinated by a Soviet produced puzzle game known as "Tetris", which involves lining up falling blocks to make them disappear. Believing in the potential marketability of Tetris worldwide, Henk tries to acquire the game's distribution rights but soon learns that British video game distributor Mirrorsoft also has Tetris in their sights, with them already striking up an arcade deal with Sega. In an effort to outdo them, Henk decides to meet with Sega's biggest competitor Nintendo to arrange his own partnership. Henk is shown Nintendo's soon-to-be-released handheld console - the Game Boy, and after some persuasion, convinces the higher-ups to package the Game Boy with Tetris on release day. To acquire the necessary licencing rights, Henk travels to Moscow to meet with Tetris's creator Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov), where he quickly learns how dangerous it can be doing business in a communist country.

    If you've ever played a modern puzzle video game, especially one that requires the player to make certain objects disappear, then there's a high chance it has taken some influence from Tetris, which until 2020 when it was surpassed by Minecraft, was the best selling video game in history. Its simple premise coupled with its addictive gameplay has helped Tetris endure on for over thirty years, remaining an important staple of gaming culture. On a personal front, I'll always have a soft spot for this falling block game, as it just so happens to be the very first video game I ever played, having received it along with a classic Game Boy on my fifth birthday. But what many may not be aware of is the complex history behind bringing this game to worldwide attention, and in this film, simply titled "Tetris", we get to see a fun, thrilling, yet obviously sensationalistic look at how all of this was accomplished.

    Structuring itself like a Cold War thriller, the film immerses its audience the world of the 80s, a time where a businessman making deals with communist nations could very well mean the difference between life and death. In any other case, such deals may be something along the lines of a capitalist company wishing to opening up store in Moscow or even the freeing of a political prisoner to prevent a global crisis. What I'm sure most people would never expect to see is a deal involving a video game, an object of entertainment programmed by a single computer engineer working for the Soviet government. This is where the film deviates from your typical Cold War-related feature, in that while it takes the idea of a video game being its subject matter very seriously, it plays up the amount of obstacles in the main character's way for humorous effect. We watch Henk narrowly dodge being arrested by the KGB for owning an illegal copy of Tetris, which could end up with him being thrown in a gulag for a very long time. Additionally, we also see him struggling to communicate simple commands due to the presence of outdated technology like faxes and phones that cannot dial internationally. Yet all of this feels believable given the timeframe in which this story is set, which makes the film not only more compelling to watch but it also makes you appreciate what Henk went through to simply to get this game released to the entire world.

    Under Jon S. Baird's direction, the film has an appropriately retro video game look to it. For instance, the film appears to be divided up into four "levels", which I assume is done to reflect the four blocks that are used in each Tetris piece. As the story progresses, we witness Henk "level up" as he drifts ever closer to sealing the deal to distribute Tetris to countries outside the Soviet Union. Also, we often get to see scenes transitioning from one to the next via 8 bit pixels layered over the live action establishing shots. These quirky creative decisions allow the audience to almost feel as though they are inside a video game and that they are watching events play out like challenges the player character must overcome in order to advance forward. Though some of these segments are clearly added for dramatic effect, like a fast-paced car chase for example, they certainly aren't any less entertaining. Another thing that Baird uses effectively is the clever weaving of the Tetris theme tune, the Russian folk song "Korobeiniki", into Lorne Balfe's musical score. Every now and then the tone of a scene is set by a remix of the familiar jingle, either with a subtle piano cue or a loud orchestral piece. It's a novel way to enhance a moment that may have otherwise been slow and boring, which is something I came to really enjoy about this film. No doubt many fans of Tetris will have the song stuck in their heads long after the film is finished, because I sure did.

    As the lead character, Taron Egerton effectively carries the film throughout all of its ups and downs. Egerton's performance reminded me of somebody a young Leonardo DiCaprio would play, a quick thinking man whose confidence can help him smooth talk his way out of a difficult situation. It's easy to see Egerton is having great fun playing Henk not just as a businessman, but as someone who loves video games in general. You can't help but admire the way Henk seems so passionate about Tetris as a game and the positive effect it can have on people everywhere. In addition to this, you also have to respect how much he wants this game to succeed for those who helped create it, which is explored during his bonding scenes with Alexey Pajitnov. Though there is an initial culture clash between the two men, Henk and Alexey soon realise this game's true potential and work together to get it out there for the masses. These guys are the true heroes of this story, because if it weren't for them, the video game world would be a considerably less exciting place.

    For a game focused entirely around lining up falling blocks, "Tetris" has certainly had an interesting history behind its inception. The very fact that this film even exists to tell such a story is truly a testament to its long-lasting impact on pop culture. Even if you aren't an avid gamer, you can still acknowledge this film for how it is able to combine elements of a Cold War thriller with that of the development of an iconic contribution to gaming as a whole. I can't help but wonder if there are more exciting stories worth telling about the creation of other popular video games, as I'd love to see them as well. If they all turn out as enjoyable as this one, then you can count me in.

    I rate it 8/10.
    7iain-cocks

    *Based on a true story...

    *That Tetris was invented by a Russian.

    That's it. Everything else is pretty much fiction. Then again, the true story was mainly a fairly complicated, protracted legal battle and wouldn't have made for a very exciting film. But an exciting film is what we have! It's well acted, the whole production is great, the story is gripping, but it's all fiction. Which is fine, but claiming it was "based on a true story" is... misleading, to put it nicely.

    It's quite revealing to read all these glowing reviews praising the authenticity and what a wonderful historical edcuation these reviewers recieved upon viewing it, when even a cursory google search shows that the reality is almost entirely disconnected with the contents of this film.

    Still, I have to give the film credit, it was a fun watch, a good story and VERY imaginative!
    9brcsimbd

    Ecceded my expectations

    Wow, I can't believe how much I enjoyed the new Tetris movie. Who knew that a movie about licensing a video game could be so emotionally engaging? I was hooked from start to finish.

    The story was surprisingly compelling, without being too complicated or over the top. The focus on the journey of businessman Henk Rogers and the Tetris inventor, Alexey Pajitnov, was just the right balance of drama and fun. And the way they captured the excitement and anticipation of bringing the game to the world was thrilling.

    The acting in this movie was top tier. Taron Egerton delivered an incredible performance as Rogers, and I was impressed by how he brought so much depth to his character. The chemistry between him and the rest of the cast was palpable and made the story even more enjoyable.

    But let's talk about those plot twists, they were pretty good! I won't give anything away, but there were a few surprises that kept me on the edge of my seat. And the way they resolved the conflicts was satisfying and left me feeling content.

    Overall, I highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves video games, underdog stories, or just wants a fun and engaging movie experience. The attention to detail in the pixelated graphics and the captivating story make it worth watching. So, if you're looking for a movie that will have you feeling all the emotions, go see "Tetris"!

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Being a non-gamer, then Nintendo President Hiroshi Yamauchi would give the game to his superstar programmer Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of their most popular franchises Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, to see what he thought. Several days later, Miyamoto confirmed to Yamauchi that it was a great game and when Yamauchi asked why, Miyamoto responded "Because even your secretaries and accountants are playing it!"
    • Goofs
      When reading the fax number of ELORG in Moscow Henk mentions the dialing code of Moscow as "495", which is the current code. In the soviet times until Russia 2005 it was "095".
    • Quotes

      Alexey Pajitnov: Good ideas have no borders.

    • Crazy credits
      A short video is playing about halfway through the credits. It seems to be actual footage of Henk and Alexey in Moscow.
    • Connections
      Edited from Game Grumps: Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!: Finale - Part 6 (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      Holding Out for a Hero
      Written by Dean Pitchford & Jim Steinman

      Published by Sony/ATV Melody, Paramount Pictures Corp

      Performed by Ren Nagabuchi (as ReN)

      Appearing courtesy of Warner Music Japan

      Licensed courtesy of MARV Music Recording Ltd & Warner Music Japan

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Tetris?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 31, 2023 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Russian
      • Japanese
      • Hungarian
    • Also known as
      • Тетріс
    • Filming locations
      • Aberdeen, Scotland, UK(Tillydrone, Aberdeen city)
    • Production companies
      • AI-Film
      • Apple TV+
      • Marv Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $80,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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