This Is A Spoiler-Free Review
I’ve learned better than to give in to the hype of any new television show. Squid Game has become the biggest show on Netflix. To say this series has a lot of hype around it would be an understatement. It pains me when I end up disliking something after watching it only because of the hype and excitement around it or some massive promotion. For instance, the most popular Netflix show behind Squid Game at the moment is Money Heist, and I was not too fond of it. It’s a show bent on offering cheap thrills, and the whole series hides behind a smokescreen of unfulfilling twists and turns. You only need to look through to realize that show is horrifyingly shallow and pretends to be smart when it’s downright ridiculous, to the point it seems like a parody of all the great heist dramas and series that came before. It’s not all bad, but I’ve developed a sincere disliking towards it. I’m getting a bit off-topic now; that was uncalled for. (you know it’s just my opinion, right?)
Considering the massive popularity of Squid Game, it’s pointless to look for anything beyond some quick and easy entertainment. Something as universally appealing as Squid Game is made to cater to everyone’s taste, and going deeper beyond a certain point thematically will alienate a significant portion of the audience. For the most part, Squid Game delivers. The creators know what the show is and where it lies on the spectrum of artistry. They never push it beyond any boundaries, allowing for a comfortable watch. The themes of Squid Game have existed for as long as art and literature itself. However, it’s a refreshing take on these themes that have now become synonymous with films, more so with South Korean cinema. It follows players who participate in life-threatening games for an enormous monetary prize.
While Squid Game isn’t the first show to examine human morality and offer social commentary in the process, its approach is fruitful. It’s well-directed with a predominantly bright colour pallet which offers a great contrast to the events that happen in the show and the themes behind it. Squid Game portrays an overly pessimistic view of the world with an optimistic lead in Lee Jung-Jae’s Seong Gi-Hun. Characters in the show are very stereotypical; you have the tough guy, the smart guy, the kind-hearted guy, and the troubled girl. All the gore and violence have drawn even more audiences towards it. The human tendency for violence and attraction towards it is nothing new. Many even credit this theory for the popularization of rap music. I won’t go much deeper into the story or some of the areas of conflict of the show because I intend to keep it spoiler-free.
The show’s not without its flaws. Some of the characters are very poorly written (the VIPs?). If you’ve watched the show, then you must know that E7 becomes a straight-up cringe-fest the minute the VIPs start talking amongst themselves. It also appeared like the show wanted to make a political statement in that scene, but it’s hard to tell because the characters communicated like a bunch of twelve-year-olds. The arc of Joon-Ho is also a massive letdown, evident from how little time is given to address it. (A 30 min epi when all the others are over 50?).
Despite its flaws, Squid Game is an entertaining show that will deliver on its premise and what it’s created for. Watching it for anything beyond some easy entertainment is a futile effort. If you’re looking for a more fulfilling or moving watch, sadly, Squid Game is not it.
Rating: ⅗
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