Squid Game

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 17, 2021
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 174 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 121 out of 174
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 174
  3. Negative: 32 out of 174

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User Reviews

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  1. SimboTheKing
    Oct 20, 2021
    8
    I really did enjoy this show, I was sort of on-the-fence after the first episode but it very quickly grabbed me beyond this. I've really been loving South Korea and their films/shows on Capitalism and this thoroughly deserves to be in the lexicon alongside things like Parasite or Snowpiercer. It may not be the most original theme but it's exploration of it totally is. It took somethingI really did enjoy this show, I was sort of on-the-fence after the first episode but it very quickly grabbed me beyond this. I've really been loving South Korea and their films/shows on Capitalism and this thoroughly deserves to be in the lexicon alongside things like Parasite or Snowpiercer. It may not be the most original theme but it's exploration of it totally is. It took something that could've descended into even a Saw like concept and really made it end up being a powerful work.

    The acting is very impressive and it grounded what, again, could've easily ended up being ridiculous. It honestly is what I love streaming the most for - off kilter and out there shows that end up finding an audience through word-of-mouth. Well worth watching.    … Expand
  2. PhoenixReveiws
    Oct 17, 2021
    7
    It's a little overrated, but still worth it if you got time to burn. The basic plot of the show is really well scripted and thought out. A cool concept with a cool story. Not revolutionary and mind-bending as people make it seem, but still overall an enjoyable, slightly disturbingly good show.

    P.S- Neat soundtrack, very unique.
  3. MaerkReview
    Oct 4, 2021
    9
    This series is a must watch.. Maybe its not for everyone and can feel a bit cliché at times but overall the plot of the story is there and touching in some way.. When thinking about how some people gamble..
    And to me the series have a message beside extreme gore and man-slaughter.
    But to me the acting is quite good The end smells like a season 2 but i could fear for how well that might    This series is a must watch.. Maybe its not for everyone and can feel a bit cliché at times but overall the plot of the story is there and touching in some way.. When thinking about how some people gamble..
    And to me the series have a message beside extreme gore and man-slaughter.
    But to me the acting is quite good
    The end smells like a season 2 but i could fear for how well that might turn out
    But so far season one was an intense wierd thriller that is worth every minite of your time
    Not that the whole idea aint seen before in some sort but they put it together so well that it feeld new
    And really fresh to have it in korean and not going for all english voices
    Only negatives would be that its not very surprising and pretty easy to make out whats really going on
    Other then that it was great from start to finish    … Expand
  4. shoulderoforion
    Oct 10, 2021
    9
    It's an audacious triumph that resonates in every society which has serious social and financial inequities, which is all of them. I'm not sure how he can keep the freshness and innegunity up to the same level for season 2, but I'll check it out, hoping he does.
  5. Drealgrin
    Oct 16, 2021
    10
    Capitalism has failed, but its failure does produce some fantastic criticism of it's intrinsic cruelty and apathetic nature.

    Engaging from the first episode to the last, a perfect representation of the apathy and cruelty of the wealthy while they play their games with those who are struggling, and the inevitable failure to fight against the wealth and power of those with untold fortunes    Capitalism has failed, but its failure does produce some fantastic criticism of it's intrinsic cruelty and apathetic nature.

    Engaging from the first episode to the last, a perfect representation of the apathy and cruelty of the wealthy while they play their games with those who are struggling, and the inevitable failure to fight against the wealth and power of those with untold fortunes because the game is rigged for the success of the most amoral from the start.

    I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a bloody good time.    … Expand
  6. Hua
    Oct 29, 2021
    10
    A cultural phenomenon and such a unique experience - I'm gonna miss this show and the feeling I got watching it for the first time. I'm still reeling from that ending (the last two episodes really)... This show just ripped my heart out, made me obsessed with its main concept and characters... and yeah, I'm just stunned and kind of devastated by how it ended. This one's gonna stick with meA cultural phenomenon and such a unique experience - I'm gonna miss this show and the feeling I got watching it for the first time. I'm still reeling from that ending (the last two episodes really)... This show just ripped my heart out, made me obsessed with its main concept and characters... and yeah, I'm just stunned and kind of devastated by how it ended. This one's gonna stick with me for a long time... definitely one of the most memorable, impactful shows I've watched in a long time.… Expand
  7. KelvinSelimor
    Nov 9, 2022
    10
    Squid Game. Season 1. Best series of 2021! The creator and the whole team did a real miracle! Showing each character and relationship so interestingly that it is impossible to stop watching. Even the games themselves go a bit into the background, although they are also very interestingly scary. Although the last episode reduces the degree of tension, this does not make the series even aSquid Game. Season 1. Best series of 2021! The creator and the whole team did a real miracle! Showing each character and relationship so interestingly that it is impossible to stop watching. Even the games themselves go a bit into the background, although they are also very interestingly scary. Although the last episode reduces the degree of tension, this does not make the series even a bit worse. Looking forward to continuing...… Expand
  8. titan2287
    Oct 19, 2021
    10
    Parasite meets Saw.

    A great creative series tackles themes of wealth inequality, desperation, inhumanity, deception, and violent voyeurism.
  9. MetacriticOnur
    Nov 18, 2021
    8
    excellent
    [ ek-suh-luhnt ]

    adjective
    possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good.
  10. jastine
    Oct 8, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The first game was stupid, absurdly killing over 200 players to put emphasis on the plot.… Expand
  11. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 18, 2021
    7
    Korea has been killing it with the seething indictments of capitalism and this grand 9 part series is no diffrent. The superb casting helps balance an almost tight script. Adding nuance to clichés and excitement to predictability. Every episode felt purposeful ¬ a single character is wasted. The shock of the initial game "red light green light " is just as poignant on rewatches. I honestlyKorea has been killing it with the seething indictments of capitalism and this grand 9 part series is no diffrent. The superb casting helps balance an almost tight script. Adding nuance to clichés and excitement to predictability. Every episode felt purposeful ¬ a single character is wasted. The shock of the initial game "red light green light " is just as poignant on rewatches. I honestly can not make out a flaw beyond there being no season 2 already.… Expand
  12. Diptanshu
    Jul 2, 2022
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Emotionally brilliant and brutally amazing. The concept and story was awesome and the execution is entertaining, The music and production design is brilliant and the acting is just another level specailly the old man's acting. The 1st episode was slow but the buildup was amazing, The Games were nostalgicly amazing, The 1st game and 2nd game was surprising and the system in the squid game organisation with it the villain's mask made the vibe, The family stuff of most characters were just emotionally sweet and then the dectective adventure was thrilling as hell, The character killings were brutally emotional specially episode 6 the old man's death and ali's death it was just heartbreakingly cold, The characters were sweet and brilliantly portrayed. The vip people felt annyoing, the dectective's brother quest and the twist about the leader was guessable but amazing, The final game the tension around it with the squid game at last it was emotional and then the aftermath of the game the family confession stuff was amazing, The final twist was shocking and made sense the old man desire to die with sweet child's memory at cost of lives but without forcing them it was awesome, Then the continuation of new batch at squid game it was an satisfying end, Overall it was a emotionally enteratining and a great season.… Expand
  13. geewah
    Nov 22, 2021
    9
    While the premise for this show seems rather ludicrous, what makes it works is clever and engaging writing along with some sharp social commentary.
    One of 2021's best shows
  14. Mohammednasser
    Oct 18, 2021
    8
    It's been a long time since I've seen series with this kind of excitement, and having a strange new idea is an excellent promotion for this great show
  15. LuissDt
    Apr 13, 2022
    9
    The Squid Game is a game that divided the world but manages to be dramatic and engaging enough to be a game that everyone wants to see.
  16. Motoritz
    Feb 19, 2022
    8
    Interesting idea which I personally haven't see anything of before, well executed for most parts. The characters as well as the end of the story could have been written better.
  17. KJ_20
    Nov 13, 2022
    9
    Squid Game Season 1 is one of the most unique, gripping and creative shows made till date. It's entertaining, mysterious and suspenseful. The plot is EXCELLENT and the twists and turns truly makes it phenomenal. The only downside is the acting. Some scenes feel overdone, or underdone.
  18. buybybrian
    May 14, 2022
    10
    Squid Game was so beautifully shot and so wonderfully written! I think Americans/English speaking countries were opened up to how wonderful movies can be originating from other cultures/countries! This movie spells massive Netflix Subscriber adoption for 2022!
  19. Fixer84
    Mar 17, 2023
    7
    A series that has now become iconic, which has launched, in the collective imagination, the importance of Korean serial productions on Netflix. Which is a big plus.

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Most Discussed TV Season of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Oct 21, 2021
    70
    Ultraviolent and terrifically gripping thriller. [25 Oct - 7 Nov 2021, p.9]
  2. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Oct 15, 2021
    63
    Solid thriller, good twists, too violent.
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Oct 11, 2021
    30
    “Squid Game” has nothing to say about inequality and free will beyond pat truisms, and its characters are shallow assemblages of family and battlefield clichés, set loose upon a patently ridiculous premise. ... [The violence] is more than mildly sickening in its scale, its graphic presentation and its calculated gratuitousness.
    Read full review
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