Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. A tempting prize awaits, but with deadly high stakes.Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. A tempting prize awaits, but with deadly high stakes.Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. A tempting prize awaits, but with deadly high stakes.
- Won 6 Primetime Emmys
- 46 wins & 80 nominations total
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Summary
Reviewers say 'Squid Game' is acclaimed for its unique premise, engaging plot, and strong Korean cast performances. The show is lauded for its commentary on social inequality and human nature. However, criticisms include predictable plot twists, inconsistent logic, and the acting of the VIP characters. Some find the ending unsatisfactory and the second season lacking compared to the first. Despite these criticisms, many still find the series captivating and worth watching.
Featured reviews
The first season of Squid Game was nothing short of groundbreaking, earning a well-deserved 9/10. It introduced a rich tapestry of characters, with Kang Sae-byeok and Song Gi-hun standing out as particularly memorable. The script masterfully balanced suspense and emotional storytelling, making viewers deeply invested in the characters' fates. The "games" were not only creative and thrilling but also served as a sharp critique of societal structures, keeping audiences hooked from start to finish.
Unfortunately, the second season was a significant letdown, feeling like a pseudo-disaster in comparison. The script was riddled with illogical moments, and the plot lacked depth, becoming one of the most boring narratives I've ever watched. Character development was virtually nonexistent, with the main character devolving into a dull, idiotic, and delusional shadow of their former self. The acting ranged from mediocre to outright poor, further diminishing the season's impact.
The games, once the heart-pounding highlight of the series, were uninspired and poorly executed, lacking the cinematic flair that made the first season unforgettable. It felt as though the creators had run out of ideas, delivering a predictable and frustratingly shallow storyline.
While the first season showcased the best of Squid Game's potential, the second tarnished its legacy. I've tried to overlook the second season's flaws, but its glaring issues make it hard to hold onto my initial admiration. What once felt like a solid 9/10 show now struggles to even reach a 7/10. The magic of Squid Game was in its originality and emotional resonance, and the second season failed to capture either.
Unfortunately, the second season was a significant letdown, feeling like a pseudo-disaster in comparison. The script was riddled with illogical moments, and the plot lacked depth, becoming one of the most boring narratives I've ever watched. Character development was virtually nonexistent, with the main character devolving into a dull, idiotic, and delusional shadow of their former self. The acting ranged from mediocre to outright poor, further diminishing the season's impact.
The games, once the heart-pounding highlight of the series, were uninspired and poorly executed, lacking the cinematic flair that made the first season unforgettable. It felt as though the creators had run out of ideas, delivering a predictable and frustratingly shallow storyline.
While the first season showcased the best of Squid Game's potential, the second tarnished its legacy. I've tried to overlook the second season's flaws, but its glaring issues make it hard to hold onto my initial admiration. What once felt like a solid 9/10 show now struggles to even reach a 7/10. The magic of Squid Game was in its originality and emotional resonance, and the second season failed to capture either.
For someone who has seen Alice in Borderland and loved it, I see this series as a more mature and rawer version, without fantasies. Criticism of the capitalism of today's society, ironic how it turned out, becoming everything it criticized.
Decent 8/10.
Decent 8/10.
Seriously. All things considered, they're a pretty small and self-contained part. The main characters were brilliant in their roles. I guess good actors figured that having parts where they're wearing masks the whole time wouldn't get them much exposure. The pacing and character development were superb.
Squid Game. Wow.
Korean.
Best description? Uncomfortably genius!
(Kind of disturbing - small warning but still)
I mean there are some elements of The Game and Hunger Games, but this is bigger, more catastrophic in a different way, more clever, plays on psychological aspects, with a touch of closeness between some participants. Its intensely catchy and totally insane.
Its set in a today's society with participants being people in economic trouble who owes a lot of money, mostly from gambling, and about their desperation. Great actors too!!
They even include a very dark business of todays world - but I wont reveal anything here.
Although its brutal - its more brutal in what's actually going on, and what's happening - than being graphically brutal.
And you will sit there and feel lots of things - scared and somewhat freaked out as well, and as I said: its Uncomfortably geniusly made in my opinion.
If you're looking for something different that will get your HR rising, try this one! *Handclaps*
Korean.
Best description? Uncomfortably genius!
(Kind of disturbing - small warning but still)
I mean there are some elements of The Game and Hunger Games, but this is bigger, more catastrophic in a different way, more clever, plays on psychological aspects, with a touch of closeness between some participants. Its intensely catchy and totally insane.
Its set in a today's society with participants being people in economic trouble who owes a lot of money, mostly from gambling, and about their desperation. Great actors too!!
They even include a very dark business of todays world - but I wont reveal anything here.
Although its brutal - its more brutal in what's actually going on, and what's happening - than being graphically brutal.
And you will sit there and feel lots of things - scared and somewhat freaked out as well, and as I said: its Uncomfortably geniusly made in my opinion.
If you're looking for something different that will get your HR rising, try this one! *Handclaps*
What to Watch on Netflix After "Squid Game"
What to Watch on Netflix After "Squid Game"
If "Squid Game" left you needing more high-stakes drama, we've rounded up some Netflix recommendations for you to check out.
Did you know
- TriviaThe creator of Squid Game, Hwang Dong-hyuk, developed the show in 2009. However, it was rejected by media companies and actors for 10 years.
- GoofsIn the first episode, Gi-hun tries accessing his bank account and finds that his mother has changed the PIN after he tries inputting his usual password and it doesn't work. His usual password is his birthday, which we see is 0426 or April 26th. However, in the final scene of the last episode of the first season, he identifies himself on the phone with his name and birthday, which he gives as October 31st.
June 2025 TV and Streaming Premiere Dates
June 2025 TV and Streaming Premiere Dates
"Echo Valley" and "The Gilded Age" are two of this month's most anticipated TV releases. Check out our June calendar for more!
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- El juego del calamar
- Filming locations
- Daejeon, South Korea(sets for colourful staircase and orean neighbourhood in the marbles competition sequence)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.00 : 1
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