Michelle Yeoh leads predictable drama about a nursing home cubing champion
Former maths teacher Zhao Yanhong discovers a talent for solving Rubik’s Cubes while living in a nursing home after a stroke, then trains to compete. Michelle Yeoh’s performance gives the Chinese drama energy, though the review says its familiar sports-film formula makes the true story predictable.
Zhao is coached by washed-up former champion Wu Youwei and goes viral after beating a child at her first competition. The film follows her through training and qualifying heats, using her journey to challenge assumptions about older people. Yeoh reportedly spent two years learning to solve the cube for the role; the film reaches UK cinemas on 16 October.
- Michelle Yeoh plays a retired maths teacher turned Rubik’s Cube champion.
- The review praises Yeoh but finds the sports-film plot predictable.
- Zhao’s first competition win makes her a viral sensation.
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Zhao Yanhong is a former mathematics teacher who suffered a stroke and now lives in a nursing home. She discovered an unexpected aptitude for solving Rubik's Cubes and began training to compete in the sport.
Her coach is Wu Youwei, a former champion cuber. She gained public attention at her competitive debut when she defeated a younger opponent, and her story subsequently drew wider interest.
Her journey has been adapted into a drama film starring Michelle Yeoh, an acclaimed actress from Hong Kong. The film dramatises her path through training and competitions.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “It’s My Time review – Michelle Yeoh excels in Rocky-style quest to be Rubik’s Cube champ”.