The internet went crazy for Squid Game when it debuted on Netflix, and if you’ve yet to give it a go I can confirm you are missing out on one of the best series that has been on in years.
The concept of Squid Game is a bit like The Running Man or The Hunger Games in that it’s about a group of people taking part in a challenging game and set of challenges where if you lose… you die!
It follows the down on his luck Seong Gi-hun, who throughout the show is perhaps better known by his number 456. Played by Lee Jung-jae, he is a guy who in the first episode we learn is frequently in debt and often involved with unsavoury folks as he tries to connect with and build a relationship with his daughter.
An opportunity arises to gamble for money, but he finds that if he loses he gets a slap. This is just a sneak preview for the horrors he will soon face as when he accepts an offer to win more money than he can possibly imagine he finds himself in a series of six games with deadly consequences.
Although 456 is the central character of the show, we are soon introduced to several other characters including an old man, Oh Il-nam (001), a woman who pick pocketed Gi-hun named Kang Sea-byeok (067) and several other people who will be taking part in the deadly games too.
The show is great in that it shows you both how the characters build relationships and bonds between each other and how they are forced to compete with one another.
There is also a cop who is investigating these deadly games who has infiltrated the organisation who run the games. There are lots of mysteries throughout as those in charge where masks with symbols on and the big bads at the top where scary masks covered in gold with the main organisers having masks that resemble low polygon video game characters form the 1990s.
As a whole series review I will endeavour to avoid giving many spoilers for how the events unfold. But as someone who heard through the grapevine that I should watch this, and dove in with no other knowledge then that, I can say it was well worth the watch.
Conclusion
The show is shocking and bold, and yes whilst there are a few head scratching moments, this is overall a well acted and gripping series. With just nine episodes to get through you will quickly breeze through it and I’m sure you will be itching for them to announce a second season as much as I am!
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