Squid Games review: Is it worth the hype?

I remember walking into my dad’s room and seeing a scene of people in blue jumpsuits being shot in what looked like a children’s playground. “Did you watch Squid Game?” he asked. My initial reaction was, “If this is it, I’m definitely not watching it,” and I quietly left the room. I generally avoid shows centered around violence and tragedy. Yet, as I watched the world rave about the series, my curiosity grew.

I eventually decided to watch Squid Game, partly because Gong Yoo, one of my favorite South Korean actors known for Big, was in it. I also wanted to join in on the Squid Game memes and Instagram filters. So, despite my reservations, I binge-watched the series in a matter of days. Was it worth it? I’ll share my thoughts, but be warned: spoilers ahead!

Squid Game revolves around Seong Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, a poor father drowning in debt. He encounters a man at a train station who offers him money to play a children’s game, setting the series in motion. The show pits 456 debt-ridden individuals against each other in deadly versions of children’s games, with the sole survivor winning a massive cash prize.

I thoroughly enjoyed the series. As a fan of foreign content, I watched with English voiceover and subtitles—can’t do without those! The actors, including the voice actors, did a fantastic job bringing their characters to life, making the audience root for and against them throughout the series. The visuals were outstanding: the bright colors and child-themed settings contrasted with the dark plot, keeping me engaged. The storyline was easy to follow, and the high-stakes, win-or-die scenarios created suspense and drama.

However, not everything was perfect. One character that fell short was Hwang Jun-ho, played by Wi Ha-joon. As a police officer searching for his missing brother, Jun-ho infiltrates the games to uncover the truth. Despite his crucial role in revealing the games’ dark secrets, his death felt pointless. After documenting everything to expose the injustices, he’s killed by his own brother, the host of the games. His attempts to share his findings were thwarted by poor cell service, and his death felt anticlimactic.

Another disappointing aspect was the VIPs, a group of wealthy men who bet on the games and fund the operation. They’re introduced in the later episodes, wearing gold-plated animal masks and speaking in English. Their scenes, filled with unsettling humor and irrelevant commentary, felt uncomfortable and didn’t advance the plot. Their presence remained a mystery, adding little to the story other than disturbing the viewer.

Player One, Oh Il-nam, portrayed by O Yeong-su, is a standout character. His death caused significant outrage, especially after his surprising reveal as the creator of the games. His lengthy monologue about creating the games out of boredom from wealth was jarring. His character would have been more impactful as the wise old man imparting lessons even in death.

There are some minor issues throughout the series, but they don’t significantly impact the overall plot. For these reasons, I’m giving Squid Game an 8 out of 10. Despite its flaws, it was an excellent series. I wouldn’t recommend binge-watching in one go, as the constant death can be overwhelming. However, if you’re in the market for suspense, humor, shock, enticing visuals, decent character development, and a mix of love, betrayal, excitement, and tragedy, Squid Game is definitely worth watching!