The OctoGames

Granted, I haven't seen a single episode of the South Korean TV series "Squid Game", and nor will I ever do that because I have no interest in it, so I have to say that when I sat down to watch the 2022 movie "The OctoGames", I was initially thinking this was a movie by The Asylum. However, that was not the case, but that didn't mean that "The OctoGames" was a better movie for that reason.

Nay, the storyline in "The OctoGames" is clearly a rip off of the concept of the South Korean TV series, no doubt about it. But I highly doubt that the events in this 2022 movie were on a matching level of what is seen in "Squid Game". Writer Aaron Mirtes didn't exactly churn out a particularly impressive storyline here, as it was simplistic to the bone. And thus, "The OctoGames" wasn't really an entertaining movie.

The acting in the movie was wooden and rigid, dubious at best. I wasn't familiar with the actors or actresses in the movie, nor were I able to say that anyone on the cast list were putting on a noteworthy or extraordinary performance.

Visually then director Aaron Mirtes wasn't really bringing much of anything thrilling to the screen. The special effects in the movie were questionable and looked fake.

I wouldn't suggest that you waste your time, money or effort on "The OctoGames", but instead go for the original South Korean TV series that this rip off movie is cashing in on. If you do venture here to watch this movie, I guess you will be left with the burning sensation of "but why?" once the movie comes to an end.

My rating of "The OctoGames" lands on a very generous two out of ten stars.

The concept behind this film was not bad. It could have been a solid film. It was entertaining, sure. My wife watched it entirely through, and she never watches horror, so that means something.

That being the case, the characters had chance after chance to escape, to overcome their captors, to kill their tormentors, etc. They never took it. Not once.

Real humans in this situation (I will not give away the spoilers) would have tried more than once to escape, and could have likely succeeded, given the captive-to-captor ratio. At least some of them could have escaped.

One good thing is that the characters had stories, and the acting was not terrible. It was so unrealistic, however, in terms of escape, that it was a huge problem with the plot.

I suppose it's worth a watch for mild entertainment, but prepare to spot countless plot holes.

Poor, very very poor. Unoriginal script which is a no frills bargain bucket ripoff from squid Games. The title Octo Games is enough to let you know its a wish I was tracing paper carbon copy which doesn't have anything unexpected. The movie has no concept and the acting suck big time.

I'm honestly shocked to think this is supposed to be taken as a serious movie. At best it's a lower discount than something found for rental of 50p at the old blockbusters.

I'm not surprised it's only available to watch on Amazon. Not even Netflix is touching this one. I only started to watch this as it was free with Amazon.

Not Squid games ... also not Sex games ... but Splatter games ... well sort of and no pun intended. Was Squid Games totally original? I assume they took notes from other movies and shows (see Battle Royal, different crowd/theme, but in the same vain) ... so I am not really beating this over the head (no pun intended once again) for that ... but I can't really tell anyone to watch this ... better wait for the second and third season of Squid Games ... which surely will be quality stuff.

That all said, I do not blame the actors in this. They do try their best with what they are given (not much) ... you have to love the genre and not care for the downfalls and flaws of independent and low budget horror movies ... acting is decent at best .. sometimes subpar ... again it is about what they have to play with too. Game over ....

Poorly written. Badly acted. Cheaply made. Clearly made to cash in on the success of the Netflix show Squid Game.

Although, all the above being said, it is at least vaguely watchable. Granted, it isn't Lord of the Rings or Citizen Kane but they have at least had a stab at creating characters and have them react to each other.

So many bits of the film make no sense to me. Why the fox outfit? Why keep one living? Who was the guy at the end? Why would YouTubers and instagram addicts give up their phones so readily?

Clearly, I cannot recommend this movie. Go watch Squid Game, it was made by people with talent.