Creators:
Dong-hyeok HwangDirected by:
Dong-hyeok HwangScreenplay:
Dong-hyeok HwangCinematography:
Hyeong-deok LeeComposer:
Jae-il JungCast:
Jung-jae Lee, Hae-soo Park, Seong-tae Heo, Ha-joon Wi, Yoo-mi Lee, Yoo Gong, Jung Hoyeon, Anupam Tripathi, Yeong-su Oh, Paul Nakauchi, Byeong-heon Lee (more)VOD (1)
Seasons(2) / Episodes(18)
Plots(1)
Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits — with deadly high stakes. (Netflix)
Videos (30)
Reviews (12)
Yeah, a pretty cool Korean take on Battle Royale, Hunger Games, Saw, Cube, and Escape Room that goes out of its way to attempt some relatively adult social insight. But in spite of how serious it wants to look at times, the core of the whole thing is completely banal, and the execution of the action is quite logically haphazard in the details. That is fine with stuff like Escape Room (it's basically identical in concept), which is not trying to be anything other than a fun B-movie, but Squid Game wants to be more like Parasite and I found that quite distracting at times. And the awful line with VIPs is a chapter on its own, terribly cringe. In its strongest moments it’s excellent (the sixth episode in particular is amazing, though actually quite predictable from the beginning), but lame in its weakest. Either way, compared to last year’s Alice in Borderland, it’s light years ahead.
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The plot is entertaining and it has catchy minimalist visuals. Plus, it is just the right length concerning the richness of the narrative it wants to present. I would perhaps criticize the over-predictability of the fate of some characters, and I think it really did not need the strange twist in the last episode and would have been better without it. Otherwise, this is really a decent show from South Korea.
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Squid Game may not look like it, but its means of expression say a lot in a small space. Primarily sociological, it examines characters with various bad backstories in an extreme setting, but does it with refinement and unpredictability. At times brutal splatter carnage, at times a slow burn of great emotion. A wonderful gamut of different fates, motivations and development of many characters, where no normal person seems to find their own, but in many situations it is hard not to sympathize with and root for many of them. A brilliant complex drama with at times quirky humour, poignant moments and unadulterated brutality, in a typically Eastern sprawling style. Must see.
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Hollywood is done, Korea dulez!! The combination of Netflix and South Korea is the best thing anyone has ever thought of, and it has once again resulted in an awesome spectacle with all the Korean parameters, traits and attributes, and the same big names have come together to make South Korea a powerful mainstream hit that is shaking up the world. A variation on Battle Royale and Hunger Games along the lines of Japan's Alice in Borderland has never been more entertaining, smart and disturbing. Squid Game follows the die-hard Korean template and has all the elements every fan expects: an original twisted theme, perfectly written and acted characters with strong progression and changes, the requisite dose of action, violence and high body-count, built-up suspense, believable twists, ornate visuals, compelling dialogue, well-conceived melodrama toying with the audience's emotions, and it wouldn't be Korean if there wasn't also people trafficking. Only the Koreans can incorporate so many elements and present it confidently with a raised middle finger, and they do it again with clarity and breathlessness. Episode 6 is probably the strongest for me and the reveal of the White Horse put a smile on my face, I didn't expect it in the least. Excellent Job. I loved the cameo by Gong Yoo and Lee Jeong-jae in the lead, but in a very unconventional role. Story 5/5, Action 4/5, Humor 1/5, Violence 5/5, Fun 5/5 Music 4/5, Visuals 5/5, Atmosphere 4/5, Suspense 5/5, Emotion 4/5, Actors 4/5. 9/10.
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As I write this, Squid Game is Netflix’s most successful show of all time, and honestly, I'm not surprised. Audiences are drawn to violence — the more intense, the better. And this show definitely pushes those limits in some episodes. But what makes it stand out are the fantastic characters, especially the main one, who's such a lovable fool that you can't help but wonder what will happen to him. From a filmmaking perspective, it's also top-notch, with stunning shots and chilling moments, all backed by a great soundtrack. Squid Game isn’t just a well-executed concept that hooks you in; it also mixes in some dark, absurd humor that works surprisingly well with the show’s intense themes. Overall, it’s a brilliant series that fully deserves the attention it’s getting right now.
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