Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-Jae) is desperate. He is in neck-deep debt because of his compulsive gambling, his mother is old and sick, and his wife and daughter are about to leave him for good.
One day, Gi-hun encounters a mysterious man (Gong Yoo) who challenges him with a game of ddakji in exchange for money. The man then hands Gi-hun a card, inviting him to play more children's games but with larger stakes. He reluctantly agreed.
Gi-hun joined 455 other players, all of them saddled with similar massive debts. The games are overseen by the so-called Front Man, who is surrounded by masked guards dressed in bright pink jumpsuits.
They quickly discovered that losing one of the games meant death.
So to survive the games' physical and psychological twists, Gi-hun creates a team with other players, which includes his childhood friend Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo). But when lives are on the line can you really trust anyone?
If there is one Netflix series that is impossible to put down right now, it is “Squid Game” from South Korean director Hwang Dong-hyuk (Miss Granny).
There are numerous reasons why the show is so fascinating to watch. For starters, the first episode "Red Light, Green Light" establishes the harshness of the game and the stakes that the players must contend with. It revels in the absurdity of its own existence. And the series' shock value keeps rising as it teases the audience with a variety of twists, turns, and surprises.
The theme, which is a critique of modern capitalist society, is clear and powerful as it puts itself in the shoes of the victims. But the concept goes beyond that, as it gradually reveals society's many ills. Violence, betrayal, and deceit take center stage as people try to fight for survival. At some point, gender bias and racism become a pressing issue as all players begin to choose their teammates based on gender, age, and race.
"Squid Game" tackles a compelling subject that is often disregarded in survival films and series.
The issue about the Netflix series is that it has a lot of cliches. After a few episodes, it became predictable, and some storylines ended in an unsatisfactory manner. Nonetheless, it is highly entertaining throughout, thanks to the excellent set design, strong acting performances, and brilliant suspense.
There is no doubt that anyone will enjoy watching the series. It's a well-made show with a lot of creative and compelling ideas.
3.5/5
