Checkmate – Movie Review | Tubi (1/5)

CHECKMATE on Tubi is a new serial killer thriller, which always sounds good to me. Unfortunately, this one was disappointing. The story was lackluster, and the execution didn’t do much good either. Read our full Checkmate movie review here!

CHECKMATE is a new Tubi Original thriller with a serial killer plot. We all know that Tubi productions can be hit or miss. And often, you’ll have an indication of which way it’s leaning within the first 5-10 minutes.

With this, it’s not a good start. It’s way too polished and full of tropes in the most grotesque ways. We’re talking perfect hair and make-up for all the women, while most of the men are simply wearing police officer uniforms. Also, the story is weak, especially the characters.

Continue reading our Checkmate movie review below. Find it on Tubi from April 11, 2025.

A chess master detective

With Checkmate, we’re getting a serial killer who plays a deadly game of chess. The killer is always carving their next chess move into the victim, which is highlighted by the fact that a piece from a chess board is found with the first victim.

It’s not rocket science, yet it takes Brittany (Joyce Glenn), a detective who’s also a brilliant chess player, to recognize this message. Already during this scene, trouble was obvious: It’s expected that we, the audience, are as ignorant as all the cops she works with.

Actually, it’s obvious that Checkmate might be off even earlier. From the weird camera angles to every room shown in the movie, which feels desperately like a set and is devoid of anything real or personal. And that extreme make-up on the lead, Brittany. As if she has time for that.

In any case, Brittany will team up with her estranged father, who is a chess master. Obviously, all you need to know to stop this serial killer is to be a chess master.

A serial killer playing a game

Checkmate is about a serial killer using the game of chess to send messages to the police. This in itself sounds good to me. Having a serial killer playing a game and “having fun” with the police trying to catch them is hardly anything new.

Fortunately, this doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more serial killer movies with a good storyline and interesting characters. I mean, I could watch movies like Se7en, Silence of the Lambs, or even the Tubi Original Lowlifes over and over again.

And I am always ready for a new amazing serial killer movie. Unfortunately, this Tubi Original is not it.

It especially isn’t a good production. No shame to the actors as the screenplay and directing (even the cinematography) is all over the place.

Lorenzo Lamas is never my cup of tea, and the role of the police Captain could’ve been portrayed by anyone in this movie. He didn’t make the character better, but I can’t say for certain that he made it worse either.

Watch Checkmate on Tubi now

Checkmate was directed by Jamal Hill (Brotherly Love, Deuces), and I recognize that someone can make a career from these Tubi Originals. While some people go down a Chris Stokes path of pounding out movies non-stop, others go the Jem Garard way of quality over quantity.

With three feature films and directing on two series in 2023 alone, it looks like it may the the former. But hey, there’s still time to change this. If Jamal Hill wants to do something different, of course.

The screenplay comes from Patrice Escoto. Maybe it’s wishful thinking on my part, but I cannot imagine this movie is what Patrice Escoto envisioned would come from her script. It’s her feature film debut, and I truly hope it will get better for her.

The star of Checkmate is Joyce Glenn, and I hope to see better things from her as well. Rounding out the core cast are Dorien Wilson (The Parkers), Andra Fuller (The L.A. Complex), and Sarah Pribis (Two Sentence Horror Stories).

I really wanted to like this and have another good Tubi experience, but this didn’t do it for me.

When a commercial begins and you feel relief that the level of quality increases immensely, you know the movie you’re watching is in trouble. A laundry detergent commercial suddenly feels like a more believable storyline than this movie, which speaks volumes about the challenges.

Checkmate streams only on Tubi from April 11, 2025.

Details

Director: Jamal Hill
Writer: Patrice Escoto
Stars: Joyce Glenn, Dorien Wilson, Andra Fuller, Lorenzo Lamas, Sarah Pribis