‘Squid Game’ review: Netflix’s gloriously gory binge-ride from hell

One of the simplest ways to get began on watching Netflix’s most up-to-date phenomenon Squid Sport can be to keep away from studying or watching something associated to the smash-hit present. A tad ironical in the event you’re right here on this web page, however relaxation assured, this can be a spoiler-free evaluation.

Since its launch, Squid Sport, which Netflix has touted to doubtlessly be their largest present but, has blown the collective minds of tens of millions of viewers across the globe. The web is presently a minefield of spoilers; there are memes, conspiracy theories, rants and excited discussions on each potential on-line platform delving deep into the Korean present, and justifiably so. Written and directed by Hwang Dong-Hyuk, the 9 episodes handle to go away its viewers horrified, but invested within the present, because of the razor-sharp writing and compelling performances by its ensemble solid.

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The survival Okay-drama’s premise in a nutshell? We comply with 456 debt-ridden contestants as they compete in a sequence of kids’s video games for a mind-boggling money prize. The contestants nevertheless quickly uncover that the stakes are lethal, and when the organisers talk about an ‘elimination’… they imply it fairly actually.

Squid Sport begins with introducing us to a number of the contestants: Compulsive gambler and chauffeur Seong Gi-Hun (Lee Jung-Jae); Cho Sang-Woo (Park Hae-Soo), a shrewd funding supervisor who’s presently wished for fraud; and North-Korean defector Kang Sae-Byeok (Jung Ho-Yeon). The three of them, and several other different characters together with Abdul Ali, a international employee from Pakistan (performed by a really endearing Anupam Tripathi), are neck-deep in monetary misery and the brutal, manipulative guidelines of the sport do little to assist. It’s a aid that the present’s subplot, led by detective Hwang Jun-Ho (Wi Ha-Joon) is well written as nicely, typically offering for a lot of tense, edge-of-the-seat moments.

For a number of determined contestants, the prospect of being on the market in the actual world is extra daunting than the dystopian, violent world they’ve voluntarily opted to enter. “I’d somewhat keep right here and die making an attempt, than die on the market like a canine,” declares one contestant in a scene which may be very telling of how unforgiving life has been to them. It takes little or no time for them to activate one another as nicely, and their in a single day descent in violence and chaos makes for probably the most spine-chilling sequences… of which there are numerous.

There’s gratuitous violence, a number of nerve-wracking moments, and a few actually terrifying revelations and betrayals, however what makes Squid Sport transcend a textbook survival show-template are the uncommon moments of camaraderie the contestants share. One can’t assist however cheer them on as they try to work as a crew via a really harrowing sport, or when one contestant covertly helps one other one along with his activity because of a foolish, but life-saving hack.

Whereas Lee Jung-Jae performs the simple-minded but serving to Gi-Hun with ease, it’s Park Hae-Soo because the shrewd Sang-Woo who intrigues. What might have been a run-of-the-mill half with gray shades, is introduced alive by the actor, into a personality you possibly can’t assist however really feel empathetic but offended in direction of.

One other breakout efficiency comes from Ho-Yeon, in what’s stunningly, her debut Okay-drama. If her portrayal of the enigmatic Kang Sae-Byeok is something to go by, a star is unquestionably born. The model-turned-actor is extraordinarily convincing and slips into her function effortlessly. A few of the finest scenes belong to her, and her equation with one other participant Ji-yeong (Lee Yoo-mi) provies some shocking emotional heft to the drama.

For such a weird and brutal premise to work, the technical features should be prime notch, and Squid Sport nicely and actually pulls out all of the stops. The eerily brilliant pinks, greens and yellows that adorn the corridors and staircases are a somewhat intelligent and farcical entrance for all of the horrors that go on throughout the facility. The cinematography right here elevates the tone of the present; it’s constantly unsettling and bordering on voyeuristic. The background music too provides to the all-round eeriness, however by no means threatens to overwhelm the proceedings. Because of all these components coming collectively completely, the present by no means finds the necessity to resort to low-cost soar scares; there’s sufficient craft right here to unnerve audiences.

The final couple of years might need seen an amazing improve in curiosity for Korean dramas globally, however Squid Sport manages to up the ante in spectacular vogue, and attraction to viewers who aren’t accustomed to the style earlier than. It’s simply amongst Netflix’s finest authentic Korean exhibits, becoming a member of the ranks of its earlier smash hit Kingdom.

Right here’s to hoping a second season is greenlit on the earliest… however please don’t convey that damned large doll again. If you already know, you already know.

Squid Sport is presently streaming on Netflix