Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV News
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsCannes Film FestivalStar WarsAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthSummer Watch GuideSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Critical Thinking

  • 2020
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
3K
YOUR RATING
John Leguizamo in Critical Thinking (2020)
Based on a true story from 1998, five LatinX and Black teenagers from the toughest underserved ghetto in Miami fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher.
Play trailer2:05
2 Videos
23 Photos
Drama

The true story of the Miami Jackson High School chess team which was the first inner city team to win the U.S. National Chess Championship.The true story of the Miami Jackson High School chess team which was the first inner city team to win the U.S. National Chess Championship.The true story of the Miami Jackson High School chess team which was the first inner city team to win the U.S. National Chess Championship.

  • Director
    • John Leguizamo
  • Writer
    • Dito Montiel
  • Stars
    • John Leguizamo
    • Rachel Bay Jones
    • Michael Kenneth Williams
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Leguizamo
    • Writer
      • Dito Montiel
    • Stars
      • John Leguizamo
      • Rachel Bay Jones
      • Michael Kenneth Williams
    • 32User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
    • 65Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:05
    Official Trailer
    Critical Thinking
    Trailer 2:05
    Critical Thinking
    Critical Thinking
    Trailer 2:05
    Critical Thinking

    Photos22

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 18
    View Poster

    Top cast74

    Edit
    John Leguizamo
    John Leguizamo
    • Mr. Martinez
    Rachel Bay Jones
    Rachel Bay Jones
    • Principal Kestel
    Michael Kenneth Williams
    Michael Kenneth Williams
    • Mr. Roundtree
    Corwin C. Tuggles
    Corwin C. Tuggles
    • Sedrick Roundtree
    Jorge Lendeborg Jr.
    Jorge Lendeborg Jr.
    • Oelmy 'Ito' Paniagua
    • (as Jorge Lendeborg)
    Angel Bismark
    Angel Bismark
    • Rodelay Medina
    • (as Angel Bismark Curiel)
    Jeffry Batista
    Jeffry Batista
    • Marcel Martinez
    Will Hochman
    Will Hochman
    • Gil Luna
    Zora Casebere
    Zora Casebere
    • Chanayah
    Ramses Jimenez
    Ramses Jimenez
    • Andre
    Isaac Beverly
    • Pickle
    Todd Allen Durkin
    Todd Allen Durkin
    • Detective Ransone
    Dave Baez
    Dave Baez
    • Detective Vargas
    Dre C.
    • Michael Rivera
    Sydney Arroyo
    • Cornelia
    Mike Benitez
    Mike Benitez
    • Jitney Driver
    Kizra Deon
    Kizra Deon
    • Lawanda
    John Manzelli
    John Manzelli
    • Snooty Man
    • Director
      • John Leguizamo
    • Writer
      • Dito Montiel
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Knights of the South Bronx
    6.7
    Knights of the South Bronx
    From the Rough
    6.6
    From the Rough
    My All-American
    7.2
    My All-American
    Fireflies in the Garden
    6.4
    Fireflies in the Garden
    Fahim
    6.9
    Fahim
    Megan Leavey
    7.1
    Megan Leavey
    The Clapper
    5.1
    The Clapper
    Boulevard
    5.8
    Boulevard
    Hurricane Season
    6.6
    Hurricane Season
    This Is the Night
    5.5
    This Is the Night
    Lazarus
    The Long Game
    6.7
    The Long Game

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Martinez started the after-school chess club in 1992 after his teacher's lounge rounds of chess with another teacher sparked student interest. His playing partner left the school that year and students began challenging him to matches so the club was born.
    • Goofs
      During Ito's game at the regional tournament, both Ito and Martinez say that he is in "Zugzwang". However, in a real "Zugzwang" situation, a player loses only because he is forced to make a move, while Ito lose the same way even if it was his opponent's time to move, as he could take the pawn on d3 with the queen.
    • Quotes

      Mr. Martinez: All right, now, people, this is gonna be very basic for some of you, but for the fish, or the newbies as I like to call you, this is gonna be eye opening because what you've got is 64 squares, 32 pieces, it doesn't matter how rich or poor you are, what Ivy League school you may go or you may not go to, what prison you hopefully never set foot in, because chess is the great equalizer.

    • Crazy credits
      Over the credits, there are interviews with the real people who the movie is based on.
    • Soundtracks
      What Would You Do
      Written by Timothy McNealy

      Performed by Timothy McNealy

      Published by Afrika Kuruvilla Kurian, BMI

    User reviews32

    Featured review
    9/10

    Love it!!!!

    I've always liked movies about teachers fighting to bring out the best of their students. Most of these movies show very dedicated teachers who not only love their job, but go the extra mile for their students. There are a lot of these movies, Stand and Deliver, Good Will Hunting, Dangerous Minds, The Ron Clark Story, just to mention a few; but in this case it involves a game that many may play but not all fully understand its importance beyond the game.

    It's great to see how they actually explained chess with historic facts and that the actors played the game for real. It's also important to mention that these kind of movies make a difference in reminding kids to pursue not only their dreams, but most importantly the opportunities that open up to them.

    Everybody has a chance to shine in life no matter where you come from or your ethnicity, it's all about wanting it.
    • t-wildthing-618-802138
    • Sep 22, 2020
    • Permalink

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ16

    • How long is Critical Thinking?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 4, 2020 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Eleştirel Düşünme
    • Filming locations
      • Miami, Florida, USA
    • Production companies
      • Critical thinking
      • Cinema Veritas
      • Hialeah Park Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,322
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 57 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    John Leguizamo in Critical Thinking (2020)
    Top Gap
    What is the Italian language plot outline for Critical Thinking (2020)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb app
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb app
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb app
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.