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Tetris (film)

Tetris is a 2023 biographical political thriller about the race to secure the rights to distribute the video game Tetris during the late 1980s, set against Cold War tensions.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tetris is a 2023 biographical political thriller about the race to secure the rights to distribute the video game Tetris during the late 1980s, set against Cold War tensions. Directed by Jon S. Baird and written by Noah Pink, it stars Taron Egerton as Henk Rogers. The film premiered at South by Southwest and was released on Apple TV+ in 2023.

Plot

The film follows Henk Rogers as he discovers Tetris and works to secure handheld console rights for Nintendo. His efforts lead him into international negotiations and legal disputes over the game’s ownership.

Production

Tetris was directed by Jon S. Baird from a screenplay by Noah Pink. It was produced as an Apple Original Film and features Taron Egerton in the lead role.

Release

The film had its world premiere at SXSW in March 2023 before streaming debut on Apple TV+ later that month. It was marketed as a true-story thriller.

Reception and genre

The film is described as a biographical political thriller and has also been characterized in reviews as blending thriller, drama, and elements of Cold War espionage.

Key facts

  • The film dramatizes the legal and business struggle over Tetris rights in the late 1980s.
  • Taron Egerton plays Henk Rogers, the video game salesman at the center of the story.
  • The plot involves travel between Japan, the United States, and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
  • It premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival on March 15, 2023.
  • Apple TV+ released the film on March 31, 2023.
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Canadian context

The film is available to Canadian audiences through Apple TV+ and is relevant to Canadian viewers as part of the platform’s international film catalogue.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tetris (film) about?
It is about the efforts to secure the rights to distribute the video game Tetris during the late 1980s, centring on Henk Rogers.
Who directed Tetris?
Jon S. Baird directed the film.
Who wrote Tetris?
Noah Pink wrote the screenplay.
When was Tetris released?
It premiered on March 15, 2023, and was released on Apple TV+ on March 31, 2023.
Who stars in Tetris?
The film stars Taron Egerton, Nikita Efremov, Sofia Lebedeva, and Anthony Boyle.
Is Tetris based on a true story?
Yes. It is based on real events surrounding the licensing and patenting of the Tetris video game.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetris_(film)
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, plot premise, festival premiere, and Apple TV+ release date.
  2. Apple TV+ — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/tetris/umc.cmc.4evmgcam356pzgxs2l7a18d7b
    Supports: Release year, runtime, director, cast, and synopsis.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tetris
    Supports: Genre, synopsis, director, screenwriter, distributor, runtime, and release dates.