Watch How to Win at Checkers

How to Win at Checkers (Every Time) is a 2015 coming-of-age drama set in modern-day Bangkok, Thailand. It tells the story of two young brothers, who are facing an uncertain future as they navigate the harsh realities of their country's social and economic hierarchy. The movie centers around eleven-year-old Oat (Ingkarat Damrongsakkul) and his older brother, Ek (Toni Rakkaen). Oat's parents have passed away, and his brother struggles to support them both on his meager income as a factory worker. The brothers are living in a slum-like area of Bangkok, where poverty and violence are rampant. The film explores the themes of family, class struggle, and the perilous journey towards adulthood.

Ek is the anchor of the household, and he sees in Oat his own aspirations for a better life. In order to avoid being drafted into the military, Ek enters the nationwide military draft lottery. When he is chosen to serve, the boys' fragile existence seems all but lost. Meanwhile, Oat faces his own struggles, including a betrayal by a trusted friend, and a lack of guidance from his brother.

The heart of the film is Oat's coming-of-age journey, which is interwoven with the broader themes of Thailand's rich-poor divide. Oat is a quiet and introspective boy, who finds solace in playing checkers with his best friend, Toh. When Toh is forced to work in a brothel to support his family, Oat is left alone, vulnerable, and rudderless. In his search for direction, Oat befriends a street-smart, charismatic drag queen named Jai (Thira Chutikul), who introduces him to a world beyond his own. Jai becomes an unlikely mentor to Oat, and he soon finds himself caught up in Jai's underground activities.

The film is a moving portrayal of the universal struggle for survival in the face of severe inequality. The characters are beautifully rendered, and the authentic setting brings the story to life. The film's use of Thai language and imagery adds an element of cultural intrigue to the storytelling, and the accompanying score is a perfect accompaniment to the evocative visuals.

Overall, How to Win at Checkers (Every Time) is a poignant and thought-provoking film that explores the human condition with depth and nuance. It tackles important themes in a sensitive and engaging way, and the characters are memorable and relatable. The ending is fittingly bittersweet, leaving the audience with a sense of hope for these complex and fascinating personalities.

How to Win at Checkers is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.