Tetris (2023)

Last updated:
August 24, 2025

Apple TV+’s Tetris (2023) is not about little falling blocks fighting for screen space but rather the thrilling, and at times absurd, story of how one of the world’s most iconic video games made its way from Cold War–era Soviet Russia to the rest of the world. Directed by Jon S. Baird and starring Taron Egerton, the movie blends corporate espionage, political drama, and 1980s retro vibes into a surprisingly intense ride.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Henk Rogers Discovers Tetris

The film begins in the late 1980s with Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton), a Dutch-American video game designer living in Japan. While at a trade show, he discovers Tetris, a simple but addictive puzzle game created by Russian programmer Alexey Pajitnov. Recognizing its global potential, Henk becomes determined to secure the distribution rights.

The Licensing War

The real tension of the film comes from the complicated licensing rights, which are fragmented across territories and platforms. Mirrorsoft (led by Robert Maxwell and his son Kevin) and Nintendo are also vying for rights. Rogers is caught in a corporate tug-of-war that’s as confusing as it is dangerous.

Journey Into the USSR

Rogers travels to the Soviet Union, a risky move during the Cold War. There he meets Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov), the game’s creator, who is working under the watchful eye of the Soviet government. Rogers has to navigate KGB agents, corrupt officials, and the intimidating bureaucracy of ELORG (the state agency handling software licensing).

Nintendo’s Secret Weapon

Meanwhile, Nintendo is preparing to launch its new handheld console: the Game Boy. Rogers realizes that pairing Tetris with the Game Boy would be a stroke of genius, ensuring the game’s global success. The struggle to secure handheld rights becomes the movie’s central conflict.

Espionage and Betrayal

The Maxwell family attempts to bribe and threaten their way into controlling Tetris. At the same time, Soviet officials see the game as a bargaining chip. The movie plays out like a Cold War spy thriller, with scenes of car chases, surveillance, and double-dealings.

Movie Ending

In the final act, Henk Rogers manages to outwit both the Maxwell family and the KGB by forging a genuine alliance with Alexey Pajitnov. After tense negotiations, Nintendo secures the handheld rights for Tetris, allowing it to launch alongside the Game Boy in 1989—a decision that would catapult the console and the game into worldwide success.

The Maxwell family, however, does not escape unscathed. Robert Maxwell’s financial empire begins to collapse under the weight of corruption and shady dealings, hinting at his real-life downfall.

The film ends on a hopeful note with Rogers and Pajitnov forming a friendship and later founding The Tetris Company together. Pajitnov, who had been trapped under Soviet restrictions, eventually emigrates to the United States, where he finally gains recognition (and royalties) for his creation.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Tetris (2023) does not feature any post-credits scenes. Once the movie ends, the credits roll without any additional teases, Marvel-style stingers, or bonus content.

Type of Movie

Tetris is a biographical drama thriller. While it has moments of humor and lightheartedness, the movie is primarily about the real-world licensing battles, corporate intrigue, and Cold War paranoia surrounding the distribution of Tetris.

Cast

Taron Egerton as Henk Rogers
Nikita Efremov as Alexey Pajitnov
Toby Jones as Robert Stein
Roger Allam as Robert Maxwell
Anthony Boyle as Kevin Maxwell
Igor Grabuzov as Nikolai Belikov

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Lorne Balfe, known for his work on Mission: Impossible – Fallout and Black Widow. The soundtrack cleverly incorporates 8-bit style remixes of 1980s pop hits (such as “Holding Out for a Hero” and “Heart of Glass”), giving the film a distinct retro-gaming vibe.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed primarily in Scotland, including Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Stirling, which doubled as Moscow and other Soviet locations. The harsh, gray architecture of Scotland fit perfectly to emulate the Soviet Union of the late 1980s.

Awards and Nominations

While Tetris did not dominate the awards circuit, it received positive recognition for its performances, soundtrack, and tense storytelling. It earned several nominations at streaming-focused awards shows and was praised particularly for Egerton’s performance.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Taron Egerton studied recordings of the real Henk Rogers to mimic his accent and mannerisms.
The filmmakers leaned into a retro 8-bit aesthetic for scene transitions, giving the movie a playful yet thematic visual style.
The KGB car chase scene in Moscow was choreographed with a deliberate “arcade game” feel.

Inspirations and References

The movie is directly inspired by the true story of how Tetris’s rights were negotiated during the Cold War. It is based on real people and real events, though dramatized with heightened tension, humor, and thriller elements.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no publicly released alternate endings, but early drafts of the script reportedly had a darker tone, focusing more heavily on KGB threats. The final version leans more into a corporate thriller with moments of levity.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While not adapted from a single book, the movie takes inspiration from journalistic accounts of the Tetris licensing wars and the memoirs/interviews of Henk Rogers and Alexey Pajitnov. It condenses and dramatizes events for storytelling, especially the action sequences, which did not play out quite so cinematically in real life.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The first time Rogers plays Tetris and realizes its addictive simplicity.
Rogers nervously pitching Tetris to Nintendo executives.
The high-stakes negotiations inside Soviet government offices.
The Game Boy reveal with Tetris as the launch title.

Iconic Quotes

Henk Rogers: “It’s the perfect game. Simple, elegant, universal.”
Alexey Pajitnov: “Tetris is not just a game. It’s a piece of art.”
Robert Maxwell: “In business, there are no friends, only opportunities.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The opening sequence includes a pixelated, 8-bit version of the real Nintendo logo.
Several scene transitions are done in “falling block” animations, a direct nod to Tetris gameplay.
Henk’s daughter plays with a Game Boy prototype, foreshadowing the console’s massive success.

Trivia

The movie was first pitched as a straight biopic but evolved into a Cold War thriller.
Nintendo cooperated with the filmmakers, allowing authentic use of logos and console designs.
The real Henk Rogers and Alexey Pajitnov served as consultants on the film.

Why Watch?

Because it’s not just about a video game—it’s about how a handful of dreamers, opportunists, and shady businessmen fought to control one of the most iconic cultural products of the 20th century. It’s part social history, part spy thriller, and part corporate drama.

Director’s Other Movies

Stan & Ollie (2018)
Filth (2013)

Tetris (2023)