The Dark Horse is an inspiring true story based on the life of a charismatic, little known New Zealand hero, Genesis Potini.

When we meet Genesis, he is at a crossroads in his life…

Once a heralded chess champion, Genesis has spent the last few years in and out of mental institutions, battling with severe bipolar disorder.

After being released from the psychiatric ward for one more chance at life, he moves in with Ariki, his gang-patched and distant brother, and Ariki’s soon-to-be-patched teenage son, Mana.

Needing a purpose and a reason to get out of the gang house, Gen joins a local rough-as-guts chess club, currently occupied by a bunch of motley Gisborne youth, with the wild and somewhat manic idea of coaching them to the national chess championship.

On the way, Gen must face the responsibility that comes with trying to lead, navigate conflict within the gang world and the club itself, and try to survive the potentially devastating strife that breaks out between himself and his brother over Mana’s future… all the while battling to stay out of the darkness of his bipolar shadow and not let his manic urges destroy him.