Squid Game

Netflix | Release Date: September 17, 2021

7.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 320 Ratings

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TVJerryOct 6, 2021

If you’ve seen Asian game shows or TV challenge competitions; you know how wacky they can be. This Korean series goes a step further. A group of people who have extreme debts are whisked away to an undisclosed location for a series of trialsIf you’ve seen Asian game shows or TV challenge competitions; you know how wacky they can be. This Korean series goes a step further. A group of people who have extreme debts are whisked away to an undisclosed location for a series of trials and competitions. If they win, they get big bucks, but losers are killed. I’ll confess that I fast forwarded thru some of the character dialogue scenes. They really weren’t that interesting, plus the perilous situations provide the fun and in later episodes the violence. This international phenomena is certainly unique, but more a curiosity for the weirdness than any kind of important drama. (Nine 45-minute episodes in Korean with subtitles or dubbed in English)… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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max1cOct 17, 2021

Great sound track in the show. Everything else is pretty mediocre. Average at best writing, tons of huge plot holes, and awful English voice over for English speaking characters (I watched the show in Korean). First three episodes were prettyGreat sound track in the show. Everything else is pretty mediocre. Average at best writing, tons of huge plot holes, and awful English voice over for English speaking characters (I watched the show in Korean). First three episodes were pretty good but then it's downhill from there and fast. Last episode was quite terrible. All-in-all this is just a Battle Royale rip-off with extra steps.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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Deadshot159Oct 6, 2021

Squid Game is average show. Average actors, average characters etc. Only reasons why im not voting for 4 is that there are some well made plots and its an original show. Squid game did great in creating specific games, music and charactersSquid Game is average show. Average actors, average characters etc. Only reasons why im not voting for 4 is that there are some well made plots and its an original show. Squid game did great in creating specific games, music and characters relationships. Now the negatives. Squid Game did terribly in doing the layout of story. There are many unrealistic moments just to keep the important characters alive. Story can be chaotic and you can get easily lost. Ending of 1st season is terrible and unrealistic. You will just look at it and wonder how could someone come up with this nonsense. Squid Game is little bit overhyped show. Its not bad and I really enjoyed many parts but that storywriting, oh boy.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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truerockOct 16, 2021

Squid Game is of the Puzzle-Adventure-Mystery-Survival-Drama genre. This is a plot type that has been used many times and recently in Asian films.

Bottom line: I'll watch season 2 if it is developed. The acting ranges from good toSquid Game is of the Puzzle-Adventure-Mystery-Survival-Drama genre. This is a plot type that has been used many times and recently in Asian films.

Bottom line: I'll watch season 2 if it is developed.

The acting ranges from good to not-good. The writing is good accept the basic premise of the plot seems somewhat contrived and not believable. The "games" may feel silly and not believable. The VIP characters seemed badly developed with poor acting - in my opinion.

Directing, editing and other technicals are of professional quality. Casting seemed mostly appropriate. Squid Game is a film series that you don't appreciate until the last episode. If you only watch the first view episodes you will not be able to appreciate what it has to offer. Take that into consideration as many film reviewers only watch the beginning of films.

Note that the English language audio dubs were not good. I do not speak Korean - but, after the second episode I used the original Korean audio track (with English subtitles) and found the acting much more enjoyable. If you are American and if you are not familiar with Korean, you may find the long-vowel sounds that Koreans use for emphasis to be annoying - but, there is less of that in the later episodes and your ear will attenuate after a few episodes. The social commentary was relevant - in my opinion. Many years ago I listened to a radio talk show involving personal debt crisis. People's lives had been destroyed by credit card debt, student loan debt, spending too much on their car and spending too much on their home, etc. The host of the radio program would help people put together a plan to drastically reduce their spending (often by selling their "luxury car" and sometimes by selling their home) and pay off their debts.

There is a lot of over the top, over-speculation in the symbolism within this film. The director has been clear that symbolism (involving the colors of red and blue, for example) were not his intent.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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NicoCCOct 12, 2021

I think there may be a cultural misunderstanding here with the show for us western audience. The reason I say this is because the way some of the characters act is very annoying and pathetic. People don't act in this fashion in our societies.I think there may be a cultural misunderstanding here with the show for us western audience. The reason I say this is because the way some of the characters act is very annoying and pathetic. People don't act in this fashion in our societies. I understand it is a tv show, but it still is over to top emotional acting. Nonetheless, there are plenty of logical fallacies and plot holes, but there are some good portions too. 5/10.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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DarkslbOct 24, 2021

It's an entertaining series, but the hype doesn't justify it.

Without going into spoiler: - Most of the characters (both players and the rest) didn't have any depth or impact throughout the story; - Being an oriental series, I expected aIt's an entertaining series, but the hype doesn't justify it.

Without going into spoiler:
- Most of the characters (both players and the rest) didn't have any depth or impact throughout the story;
- Being an oriental series, I expected a stronger social critique that would leave us thinking (like Parasite movie);
- Argument with lots of plot holes (probably, they will use some of these holes to fill season 2);
- The games themselves were entertaining, but lack a psychological impact and the outcomes were obvious and predictable.

About the controversy regarding its violence, those who were bothered by this series, never saw the Japanese movie Battle Royale (much more disturbing and violent) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266308/ or other movies (eg: Saw, Tarantino movies, Hunger Games...).… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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blacktarrOct 14, 2021

It is a very ordinary and mediocre series that has been exaggerated too much. Despite some interesting sequences and a relatively good plot, but with a repetitive idea and ignoring the exaggerations and meaningless sequences that were madeIt is a very ordinary and mediocre series that has been exaggerated too much. Despite some interesting sequences and a relatively good plot, but with a repetitive idea and ignoring the exaggerations and meaningless sequences that were made just for excitement, there is no point in considering this work a masterpiece ‌ . The good thing about the series is that it is fun while not vulgar.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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sina_tnOct 16, 2021

I beleive this TV series is hardly a normal one. It also has some illogical concepts and sequences like "scanning masks in order to uphold security".

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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PanchogulOct 2, 2021

Pues no está mal, es entretenida, pero sobrevalorada más allá de cualquier límite.

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

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JLuis_001Oct 18, 2021

It cannot avoid the similarities to other different works, even aesthetically, but I was entertained.
Bit overlong and repetitive but still ok.
It seems to be having a good reception and will probably have a second season. I don't see theIt cannot avoid the similarities to other different works, even aesthetically, but I was entertained.
Bit overlong and repetitive but still ok.

It seems to be having a good reception and will probably have a second season.
I don't see the point of it, because either they repeat the same concept, which would be very boring, or they change the idea of the original story, which also defeats the purpose of what it made it appealing in the first place.

You can watch it on Netflix.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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hielrockerNov 7, 2021

The dialogs are poor, the story is kind nonsense but somehow you want to see the games that are the only good part of the game

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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JeBjBoNov 7, 2021

Do they have to scream in every scene?! Like, all the time??? (The "Fly Me to the Moon" cover is good, though.)

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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lizzardsQueenJan 10, 2022

Increíble para dormir.
Fotografía genial. Diálogos pobres. Guion mediocre. Típica serie de moda que sube como la espuma y olvidas al mes siguiente.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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strangebrew123Dec 1, 2021

A fairly basic storyline with some average to very poor acting. However the character development was decent in some cases, and it maintained a level of interest throughout.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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Rudey21Oct 12, 2021

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0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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jastineNov 12, 2021

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0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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daniel1felipeeuNov 1, 2021

The show is great if you want to sleep. There's one or two unusual plots, but in general it's more generic than I imagined. Honestly, I only recommend it if you're looking to see deaths, and it's still worth another compilation. This gradeThe show is great if you want to sleep. There's one or two unusual plots, but in general it's more generic than I imagined. Honestly, I only recommend it if you're looking to see deaths, and it's still worth another compilation. This grade was because I didn't have 4,5...… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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mr_satoshiDec 11, 2021

Starts strong, interesting premise. Not recommend for the faint of heart.

The American VIPs were incredibly douchey and cringey. (who talks like that?) Great voice acting. Subs > dubs. Plot gets more formulaic as it drags on. I'm not thatStarts strong, interesting premise. Not recommend for the faint of heart.

The American VIPs were incredibly douchey and cringey. (who talks like that?)

Great voice acting. Subs > dubs. Plot gets more formulaic as it drags on. I'm not that excited for the sequel.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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NobodyYouKnowOct 31, 2021

This show borders on torture porn (some would say it crosses that border), but the story is injected with enough humanity to bring it above a mere exercise in blood-spattered special FX. If you don't like the sight of blood, steer clearThis show borders on torture porn (some would say it crosses that border), but the story is injected with enough humanity to bring it above a mere exercise in blood-spattered special FX. If you don't like the sight of blood, steer clear because there is a LOT of blood/murder.

The games largely put players in the position of having to make morality choices -- this is clearly what the show wants you to think about. While I appreciate the effort, there just isn't enough nuance in the characters and the choices they're forced to make to elevate this above a run-of-the-mill morality tale, and the rivers of blood drag the effort down. I did find a couple of moments genuinely moving, but only a couple.

That said, SG does a good job of piquing the viewer's curiosity regarding what the heck the whole twisted exercise is for. However, the resolution of season 1 rings hollow; the scene with the reveal feels very contrived. The explanation for the whole sociopathic, bat-**** crazy endeavor doesn't make much sense unless you accept that all the parties involved are, well... bat-**** crazy sociopaths.

If you're merely looking to satisfy whatever torture porn craving you may have, this will likely satisfy. If you want believable story with nuanced, thought-provoking dilemmas, this is passable, but not a must-see.… Expand