Vertical Entertainment will release actor John Leguizamo’s Critical Thinking, which he stars in alongside Rachel Bay Jones (Ben is Back, Dear Evan Hansen) and Michael Kenneth Williams (The Wire, 12 Years A Slave). The film is Leguizamo’s feature directorial debut and set for release on VOD/Digital on September 4, 2020.

Critical Thinking tells the 1998 true story of five LatinX and Black teenagers from Miami Jackson Senior High School in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Miami who fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher.

“In today’s fractured society with so many disenfranchised young adults, in our country and around the world, this is a story which can and will inspire all of us to do better, keep focused and stay positive,” said John Leguizamo. “With Critical Thinking we wanted to create a universal message of hope and spread this message to the world.”