Alice in Borderland

If you get tired of OP characters in non-existent peril with Netflix's US productions, this one will fix that for you. After we watched several episodes my son walked away shaking his head and said, "I'm going to go read All Quiet on the Western Front" to cheer myself up.

It's pretty darn good. A couple of the games had some holes in them, and some of the character behaviors didn't make sense outside of it's what the writers wanted them to do at that moment. But really watching this is more about feeling like the last year wasn't so bad compared to what these characters are going through. Hoping Season 2 can keep pace.

Seasons 1 and 2 were absolute bangers. The show thrived on witty gameplay, a pack of maniacs injecting nonstop excitement, clever masterminds outsmarting the toughest challenges, and just the right amount of brutality, thrill, and betrayal to keep viewers hooked. Easily a 10/10.

Then came Season 3... and it completely fell apart. The writing feels shallow and nonsensical, with none of the sharp strategies or thrilling twists that made the earlier seasons great. Instead, we're stuck with a flat female lead and a group of useless side characters dragging the story for six whole episodes without adding anything meaningful.

The first two games had some spark, but after that it was pure disappointment. Out of generosity, I'd give it a 2/10.

Honestly, it's laughable. What's next-Alice in Interborderland$? Whatever it is, don't let these clowns cook again, Spare us the torture and lock the writers out of the kitchen. They've already overcooked the corpse.

At first you would think it is cheesy but then you would look deep into your own soul and say... yep that is me, that is my neighbors, that is my colleagues, that is just like my boss that is just like my veteran friend, the characters really do a good job portraying its weaknesses and that is a sigh of relief, way too many make believe movies out there and this one helps to bring it home where reality meets fantasy. Now the fantasy part.... I do not know where to F&^cking start... good luck in figuring it all out because it is a complete mystery! Good for them because that is the golden calf of this show!

Honestly, the first two seasons of Alice in Borderland were incredible. They were so smart, so intense-easily an 8/10. The games were genius, and I was completely invested in the characters. It was a benchmark for the whole survival thriller genre.

But Season 3? It's baffling. It feels like whoever took over the writing just didn't know where to go with the story. The plot feels forcefully pushed and completely directionless, as if they desperately needed a reason to drag the characters back into the Borderland.

It's a chaotic mess that's unsatisfying from start to finish. I'm shocked by the massive drop in quality; it's a complete disaster compared to the brilliance that came before it. This season barely deserves a 2/10. It's a real shame to see a great show end up like this.

This show is definitely among my 20 favorite shows, ever. It is exciting, it is fun, it is amusing, and it is full of emotions. The thing that I find stranger than the fact that so few people have watched it, is how low its ratings are. Honestly, people what more do you want?! The episodes ratings are so unfair. Each and everyone of them deserve much higher than this; especially the ending (if that is in fact the ending). Season 2 Finale was the best ending possible for the show. However, I do hope that they renew it for a third one because it has a lot of potential.

Anyway, if you're looking for a 16-hour worth of time roller coaster that makes you stay awake for two days, Alice in Borderland is your answer.