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Squid Game
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Squid Game
Squid Game
2021 - 2025
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
TV Series
55m
Hundreds of people who are struggling financially are invited to join a mysterious competition promising a huge payday to the winner. After joining players compete in a series of simple children's games, but now with their own survival at stake.
You've rated 0 of 22 episodes in this series
Created by:
Dong-hyuk HwangDirected by:
Dong-hyuk HwangStarring:
Lee Jung-jae, Gong Yoo, Heo Sung-tae, Wi Ha-joon, Park Hae-soo, Yuuki Luna, Hoyeon JungAKA:
Ojing-eo geimCountry:
South KoreaSquid Game
2021 - 2025
Drama, Suspense/Thriller
TV Series
55m
Your probable score
Average Percentile: 54.73%
The only somewhat menacing dystopian aspect of 'Squid Game' is Netflix's ability to completely dominate pop culture with this cookie cutter material.
04 Oct 2021
I'd just like to use this space to extend my sincere thanks to everyone on Criticker. This is a site I've happily browsed and posted on for over a decade, and it has been important part of discovering my personal taste and cementing my love of film. As I've drifted away from other increasingly cliquey online spaces, I'm glad that we have kept it casual and friendly here for so long. I enjoy reading all your blurbs and I hope that mine are are positive part of your day too, in whatever small way.
10 Oct 2021
Unbelievably stupid and shitty, and its popularity is a testament to the extremely low standards of the Netflix generation.
04 Nov 2021
Great absurdist premise made human, but also feels like an anime turned live action 1:1. The detective arc is rather unnecessary and the ending (starting from episode 7) is overlong and quite dissatisfying, however human it might be to not be able to let go of a trauma, even when it looks like you have all the means in the world to do so. The acting is great and good fun, until Americans join the cast as "VIPs", killing the atmosphere and - judging from their dialogues - some of the show writers
05 Oct 2021
Almost ruined by the terrible ending promising an unnecessary second season.
23 Oct 2021
Easily one of the best new shows I've seen in a long time! It's Battle Royale meets Big Brother. The story is engaging, funny, heartbreaking, intense, bloody, sadistic and never boring. It takes the time to craft the story and makes you feel for the characters, all while raising the stakes with each passing episode. Very enjoyable and I truly hope that enough people watch for them to warrant another season
24 Sep 2021
after 3 seasons i can confidently say: except for sets and overall production this entry in the survival game genre with its nonsensical progression and "twists", glued together by so ridiculously forced exposition that it's almost funny again, does close to nothing for me. and it's all smeared in the broadest of strokes with high school grade philosophical musings about life and turbocapitalism. dull, generic and someone needs to cut each and every VIP scene, that shit is just horrendous, WTF?
28 Oct 2021
I like the concept and visual design of games and locations. But the story would gain so much from being more streamlined - brothers story doesn't go anywhere interesting, half of the games are rather lame and uneventful (cookies/marbles/squid) and sequel-bait ending sucks. A bit of a wasted potential, would be awesome as a 2,5 hour movie.
06 Feb 2022
An excellent narrative anchored by compelling acting that peters out in the final few episodes. To be fair, it's difficult to wrap up a series season and I will give Hwang credit of at least trying to do something different. It doesn't really work nor does it make much sense, but, hey, at least it wasn't as cliche as it could have been. In all, the first handful of episodes are immaculately shot, filled to the brim with anxiety-inducing tension. Too bad it runs out of steam in the end.
08 Jan 2022
The fact that this is such a well crafted piece of entertainment is bothersome to me. There are minor quibbles with the story but all in all, they manage to create a series that looks good and knows how to play your emotions. The problem lies in that almost perfect commercial appeal. Subject matter as sadistic as this ought to feel harrowing but the creators hold back and, as it's popularity shows, it ends up being more of a shocking thrill ride than a sobering look at the horrors on display.
02 Oct 2021
There are a lot of nice ideas but overall the Characters are very cartoony and shallow. The Conclusion was very uncreative and boring.
26 Sep 2021
It’s not original but there’s nothing wrong with that. It offers up moments of entertainment, brutality and sadness. By the end, however, the poor character arcs, loose ends, plot holes and contrived twists/reveals begin to compound themselves to completely undermine whatever compelling moments were to be found within the games and the game itself to the point where I wondered “what was the fucking point?”
01 Nov 2021
1) look up your currency to won conversion before you start, it helps 2) the VIPs had to be written by a 12 year old, by far the worst part of the show 3) through the first 6 episodes, I thought they did a great job giving proper time for main plot, side plots, and character development. Episodes 7-9 were ok but noticably more flawed. I dislike the ending because I don't need Squid Game season 2. Maybe I'm wrong and they make something good. I just like the idea of high quality, 1 season shows
26 Oct 2021
Though the series doesn't really ever get more exotic than the excellent pilot episode and the initial air of mystery disappates with each passing episode, Squid Game is still worth a look.
07 Oct 2021
"Spielen macht frei" could have been the slogan. Another film that seems to gesture towards the tripartite structure of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (prehistory and the inception of war; the journey through reason and technics; rebirth and a new mission), with some connection to EYES WIDE SHUT as well (but when the English-language parts appear, the dialogue and performances suddenly seem very unsubtle, perhaps concealed earlier on from the non-Korean speaker by the language barrier).
03 Oct 2021
Episodes 1-5 are intriguing and gripping. Everyone saw episode 6 coming, but it absolutely elevates the series. Unfortunately it stumbles after that to the finishing line. Sequel bait at the end is nonsensical. Had it been trimmed to 7 or 8 episodes without the detective side story and unnecessary last two plot twists (that really in the end do nothing), it would have been more effective. Detective could have been replaced by a soldier starting to feel empathy towards one specific player.
11 Jan 2022
Totally not what I was expecting but so worth it. What a ride.
03 Jan 2022
Great grasp of tone, compelling social commentary, and an extremely charismatic cast. The show doesn't take the easy way out with any of the games and constructs many tense moments and surprises throughout. The denouement is the only major misstep. A character references the actor Lee Byung-hun in the episode before Lee Byung-hun shows up playing a different character. How bizarre is that? That would be like if Vincent in Collateral mentioned he was going to see the new Tom Cruise movie.
29 Dec 2021
Lot's of good bits, an interesting commentary using a familiar framing device. The end is somewhat weak though. Worth a watch, maybe not worth the fuss it's being given.
08 Nov 2021
Very entertaining. I think what's most impressive is that it actually gets some really emotional moments. Usually those kinds of moments ring a bit hollow in films and shows that are this dark. It doesn't quite stick the landing and it does feel like it wanted to be deeper than it was, but it's a thrilling ride to get there nonetheless.
05 Nov 2021
Boring, predictable, uninspired. There are so many better shows, movies, games, books, hell, even anime that do this concept so much better. Never trust the internet hype machine. Edit: Season 2 is even more of the same. The only positive was getting to see TOP in action again. Love that guy.
23 Oct 2021
It's solid enough during the actual game parts, aside from a few asspull contrivances. But in terms of narrative, the characterization comes across as spastic and juvenile while its major twists come across as being pointless. The portrayal of class divide is superficial, with the way the poor and rich are compared coming across as incredibly non-sensical. I would hope a second season may make up for a lot of this shows awkward narrative decisions, but I guess we'll wait and see?
16 Oct 2021
The first 6 Episodes are Amazing but the last 3 are a bit slow and this Show deserves an Epic, better Climax
11 Oct 2021
Apart from the last episode, this was an awesome idea and well executed series. Although cliche at times, and some awful acting in the rich white people, a gripping show. But with its ending, it did not spark that much interest in me for season 2.
11 Oct 2021
Character archetypes, themes and overall design are good. Like most of these edgy dystopias, does not put much effort into counterbalancing its fantastic premise with somewhat believable plot mechanics.
10 Oct 2021
There's a killer concept here, no pun intended, but aside from the set up and most of the games there's a huge amount of character filler here that generally doesn't go anywhere or pay off in any satisfactory manner. Seems like something that would have made a much better standalone movie rather than dragging it out for nearly 9 hours. While worth watching for the curious it doesn't live up to the global hype although maybe that's because I'm less shocked by Korean productions than most others.
10 Oct 2021
Parasite themed battle royale. It was alright. Dragged on for too long, with too much filler. The actors were pretty good at their craft.
10 Oct 2021
Starts out promising, but gradually you realise there is actually less to this series than meets the eye. Introduction of VIP's is a low point, but even before that the writing gets predictable and forced.
10 Oct 2021
Standard Korean thriller stuff with a garbage last 3 episodes. There are way better shows and movies out there with similar concepts that don't try to shove their "subtle" hints of plot down your throat.
09 Oct 2021
Gets a bit repetitive and drops off in quality around the 6 episode. But still a nice show that looks good
09 Oct 2021
şaka yapmayın bilader silin şu komik puanları, özellikle koyu yeşil olanları. ne persona ne bilmem neye verdiğiniz oyunuz ciddiye alınır. taşak malzemesi olmayın. bu beşinci sınıf hollywood'dan bozma sıfır mantık dizilere okey miyiz artık?
07 Oct 2021
Starts of strong with a lot of momentum to keep you engaged. But starting from game 4 the show lost my interest and the twists and turns presented were just boring. There's some good stuff in there, but eventually it's all just shameless plugging for a next season
03 Oct 2021
Started out very strong up until episode 6, then went downhill with all the VIP stuff and plot twists and turns that undermined characters and story stuff earlier on. Has great production values and acting. Episode 6 was the best one by a mile, but the last three eps were pretty weak and dragged it down. 8/10 for Season 1.
01 Oct 2021
It excels at providing tense and visualy interesting games. They're basically like a cross between a Japanese game show and a less torture-y Jigsaw trap. They're fun to watch. Except of course when they're not fun to watch at all. Then they're just devastating.
25 Oct 2025
This was very exciting to watch. The first season was a big surprise. I hadn't seen anything like this before. My favorite game was the glass bridge. Seasons 2 and 3 are good, but not as good as the first one. I liked the end, even if it didn't finish as I wanted. The person who wrote this is very creative and made an original and exciting story.
11 Jul 2025
Suspenseful, with a social commentary, relatable charakters, astounding sets, great acting (except for the VIPS, but maybe that was intended). But: It sometimes drags by explaining every detail to the viewer that's distracted by his phone.
04 Jul 2025
Squid Game started as a gut punch. Its first season shocked audiences with an explosive mix of violence, social critique, and characters as extreme as they were relatable. Beyond the morbid appeal of deadly trials, what really gripped viewers was how it spoke of debt, desperation, and humanity. It wasn’t just entertainment; it was a wake-up call disguised as a spectacle. Season two chose to expand the universe, introducing new settings and more layers around the system behind the games. It lost
03 Jul 2025
[Update - Season 3]: Just when you think it can't get any worse, it surprises you.
29 Jun 2025
Entiendo muy bien porqué a la gente le encanta esta serie, de verdad. Tiene drama, suspense, personajes interesantes, una de las tramas más atrpantes que vi en la vida, etc. Sin embargo, siento que la estamos sobrevalorando. No me malentendáis, adoro esta serie, pero ¿Podéis entender la fortuna que ha generado? ¿De verdad creéis que es la mejor serie que habéis visto en la vida? Me encantó, pero tiene más errores de los que la gente quiere admitir.
20 Apr 2025
I noticed alot of people didn't enjoy this series when it first launched, I wasn't one of those people and still saw this series as an epic ass series on Netflix, even 3+ years later, even when I tried to "change" my mindset, this series still goes hard, even WITH S2, the series still holds up imo, can't wait for Season 3 this coming summer, since I graduate soon, how more people respect this series a bit more, especially the hardwork the creator did for many years to greenlight his own series.
01 Mar 2025
This review is for the first season of Squid Games 2021. I was certainly surprised by how good this show was. If you're looking for believable characters, drama induced scenes, and scenarios that can absolutely keep you at your seat, Season 1 of Squid Games is for you. Although, I wasn't happy with these two things about the show, the conclusion felt rushed and how wealthy people were brought into this. Its a hypocritical stereotype used often in these types of shows.
27 Jan 2025
Feeble
02 Jan 2025
Honestly compared to the 2nd Season, the 1st season is just generally WAY better, for three things 1. The Hype | at the time the hype for this series was AMAZING, people in debit and playing children game? Cool! 2. The Cast, The Marbles Episode is phenomenal because of cast and 3. Even so the 1st Season 2 Ending wasn't that good, we still in fact gotten an "ending", in Season 2 we didn't even get a proper ending! we just have to wait till 2025, if the hype/audience can even be around that long..
01 Jan 2025
This is an existential melodrama that uses images of genocide to heighten its addictive suspense. The only reason that is bearable is because its protagonist is fundamentally moral. And, on another level, because this is not outside our species‘ daily life. Notwithstanding at what level the metaphor of the game really works (is the evil capitalism? greed? fascism? God?) the outrage in the final episode is therefore important. I think Season 1 is great popular art. (S2/3 a mistake)
28 Dec 2024
INTERESTING RIDE INTO A DYSTOPIAN KID'S GAME WHERE ADULTS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE COMPETE FOR PRIZE $ WHICH INCREASES AS EACH OF THEM GETS ELIMINATED. KIND OF LIKE THE HUNGER GAMES MEETS SURVIVOR WITH A KOREAN TWIST AND HIGH PRODUCTION VALUES. IT'S MACABRELY ENTERTAINING IF YOU ARE NOT LOOKING TOO DEEPLY.
22 Dec 2024
points taken off because it makes me weep for humanity.
02 Dec 2024
A most disappointing ending to a series.
16 Oct 2024
It's not afraid to be obvious, or to be unapologetically self-indulgent. I think this was refreshing for audiences amidst so many movies being self-aware and conscious of the larger real world while trying to tell their own story. Often at the detriment of engagement. Squid Games has a strong rom-com energy driving the story, but applied to a horror setting. We know where it's going, but we're happily along for the ride as it satisfyingly leads where we know people tend to go.
07 Oct 2024
Worth it for episode 6 with the marbles. A weak ending though.
21 Jun 2024
Liked the humor, the sets, the characters. It's a bit too overlyblamed for its popularity and the sequel.
01 Jun 2024
Breath of fresh air. Original idea and well executed. Typical quirky asian feel/humor and it works.
29 May 2024
Made very little sense at any time. Just cheap thrills.
08 Oct 2023
Very entertaining…definitely had some flaws, especially in the last few eps.
04 May 2023
This is just a cheap, heartless reboot of Battle Royale, without the character depth or soulful bittersweetness.
29 Mar 2023
The conclusion was a bit too eccentric and self-serving for me. It felt like it was setting up a sequel that will be completely unnecessary. But otherwise it's an engaging story that hits close to home for most people.
15 Mar 2023
it keeps you on the edge, watching one episode after other. But there are lots of filler scenes and dragged out scenes, I don't think it's worth the time. it's also predictable. one merit it has is a very unique visual style. other than that, you could definitely live without seeing this one. if you have time to waste go ahead (like when you're sick laying with little energy, though keep in mind it's pretty dark).
26 Dec 2022
Mantık hatalarına rağmen beğendim ve başıma bir şey gelmeyecekse görece yüksek puan veriyorum. ^^ Çok sürükleyici, sürprizlerle dolu. Klişelerle dolu olduğu eleştirilerine de katılmıyorum, zira benim Kore sinemasına olan extra sevgimin ve zaafımın nedenlerinden biri de, filmlerinin klişelere nanik yapan gidişata sahip senaryolardan oluşması.
01 Dec 2022
There was hype for this series before I ever watched it. It was solid, don't get me wrong, but I think it falls short of what it could have been. Much preferred Alice in Borderlands, which has a similar "game" premise. And the last man standing aspect reminds me a lot of Battle Royale, which is also superior. The script got a bit cluttered with unnecessary elements that took away from the drama unfolding among the players, and they could have told the story fully from their perspective.
20 Nov 2022
A good allegory on how life in South Korea has gotten terrible since they adopted American capitalism.
09 Oct 2022
Bu tiktok senaryosuna sahip diziyi öve öve bitiremeyenlere 5 sene sonra dizi ne anlatıyordu diye sorduğumuzda 3 cümlelik cevap bile veremeyeceklerinden eminim
11 Sep 2022
terrible dog ass
26 Jul 2022
I liked it. It got a bunch of stuff right about capitalism, especially how the philosophy of the game was about 'equality' and 'an even playing field', which it really was not. The actual games were quite tense and some really great character moments sprinkled in there. That marble game was really quite effed up.
05 Jul 2022
Yüklü bir bütçe ayırıldığı kesin. Ama olaylar hiç gerçekçi değil ve senaryoya kafa yorulmamış. Ayrıca olay örgüsü insanı şaşırtmıyor bile, aksine her şey tahmin edilebilir. Abartıldığı kadar güzel değil.
19 May 2022
The English subtitles in Netflix are very wrong. They don't get the context. The show is great however, I recommend it
18 Apr 2022
A great series about human behaviour and psychology demonstrated in extreme and understandable situations.
13 Mar 2022
Why does Battle Royale need to be remade every decade?
27 Feb 2022
I probable should have done better research before putting this one for the entire family because the kids ended up seeing some of this. While a little on the deadly side for them, they've been playing Squid Game games on Roblox ever since. Kids today. Anyway, we all loved these gambling horrors.
21 Feb 2022
What could have been quite interesting, the over the top gore effects distract from the story.
21 Feb 2022
Pretty fun but the overall story arch is nothing special. The games are entertaining and the production values are top notch though.
09 Jan 2022
A fun thriller if you exclude episode 7. It uses your knowledge of the tropes to mess with your expectations. The B-plot with the cop was a strange choice.
22 Dec 2021
The whole concept and the metaphor for capitalism is great. But the execution results in an unfortunately mediocre show with plenty of filler, cliches, and character behavior that makes no sense and is only meant to progress the plot forward.
21 Dec 2021
Season 1: Starts promising, ends with mediocre-at-best writing and really unnecessary not-even-twist twists.
19 Dec 2021
p shallow and childish, but i can't begrudge this gen getting its BATTLE ROYALE, a film that owned my 13 y.o. mind for months. pros here are the visual style, production design, undeniable game 4 and the appropriately unsatisfying finale (sequel baiting aside, but that's netflix for ya). other cons are how easy it is to predict developments ahead of time (i nailed the final twist during episode 1), and everything involving the VIPs, which may be the most rancid shit i've seen in the past decade.
12 Dec 2021
wasko
18 Nov 2021
Actually, this Is a new and up to date version of "And then there were none" by Agatha Christie.
16 Nov 2021
a well written and acted thriller driven by the terror of capitalism. great soundtrack and visual design. the sequel bait non-ending sucks but whatever
07 Nov 2021
This show was overhyped.. Good but not great at all
31 Oct 2021
It's literally the Hunger Games meet Parasite as Ben Shapiro said (literally the only thing I've ever agreed with him on...). It's also too "brutal" and "anxiety-inducing" for me and I had to skip over tons of scenes just to see if my faves were still alive. Tbh I didn't watch most of it because of that, so this review is pretty trivial.
30 Oct 2021
A bit of Hunger Games, a bit of Battle Royale. I was afraid this would be all hype but actually enjoyed it. While the initial premise of 'deadly game show' is straightforward, the show does a fine job of using it as a backdrop to sort of touch on the complexities of desperation, morality, inequality and the ruthless, competitive nature of capitalism. The show also does a solid job of steadily layering on mysteries that keep you guessing about the games and the island it takes place on.
27 Oct 2021
Solidly executed for the most part, I guess, but I don't think it has anything new to say or even really to do.
25 Oct 2021
Season 1: 80, Season 2: 80
24 Oct 2021
Season 2 - Hundreds of people who are struggling financially are invited to join a mysterious competition promising a huge payday to the winner. After joining players compete in a series of simple children's games, but now with their own survival at stake.
Season 3 - Hundreds of people who are struggling financially are invited to join a mysterious competition promising a huge payday to the winner. After joining players compete in a series of simple children's games, but now with their own survival at stake.
Season 1 - Hundreds of people who are struggling financially are invited to join a mysterious competition promising a huge payday to the winner. After joining players compete in a series of simple children's games, but now with their own survival at stake.
Something missing? Seasons are generated automatically, when individual episodes are added to the database. If a season is missing, please consider submitting an episode from it, and the season will be created!
Cast & Info
Created by:
Dong-hyuk HwangDirected by:
Dong-hyuk HwangStarring:
Lee Jung-jae, Gong Yoo, Heo Sung-tae, Wi Ha-joon, Park Hae-soo, Yuuki Luna, Hoyeon JungAKA:
Ojing-eo geimCountry:
South Korea
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