Squid Game is the show from South Korea that took the world by storm. With the achievement of being Number One on Netflix in 90 countries, I would say that it’s a safe bet with this show that you should, at least on some level, enjoy it. That being said, the series is surprisingly graphic, and doesn’t shy away from continuous on-screen depictions of a violent and strikingly realistic nature.
The narrative was great from the beginning and on its sleeve wore the theme of social commentary that I’ve found to be very prevalent in South Korean Cinema. More specifically the blending of two polar opposite groups from society, to see the moral implications on one when presented with the other. With this series in particular it was an experiment to see how the promise of money could twist the values held by people that are drowning in a sea of debt.
It was really interesting to see how the contestants were actually a lot better off before participating in the games, in the moral sense, and for the most part in terms of their life. I really liked how the orchestrators of the event disguised their brutality within the elements of free will and communism, as well as making the contestants responsible for their involvement without really knowing it when they started.
This was done incredibly well through the use of three rules to which the contestants agreed to prior to playing the games that initially seem incredibly simple but have a profound impact on the events that follow. I loved the rollercoaster of a story that took a number of twists and turns that made for a truly memorable and emotional experience for the audience.
The only true negative I have with the narrative was the plot armour that flowed throughout the structure of the first half. It was apparent that around seven characters were safe until the second half of the show, which negatively impacted the stakes in my opinion. I really liked how this issue was solved in the most emotional and brutal way possible that was to become a pivotal moment in the story.
This really has an effect on the audience, as they had time to get attached to these characters in prior episodes, who to an extent appeared invincible until this point. I won’t spoil the episode in which this takes places for those who haven’t watched/finished the show however, the moment does an incredible job of crashing the audience back down to earth and reminding them of the true fragility of human life as well as how the promise of a monetary escape from the struggles of everyday existence can erase and twist the values held most dear to people.
Now on to another aspect of the show that I thought was handled incredibly well, which was the symbolism. Something I have noticed when watching East Asian cinema is how water, more specifically rain, is utilised symbolically. I know it always rains a lot in that part of the world anyway, however it always appears to be used deliberately, to reflect the mood of the character at the time. Now obviously take that with a grain of salt, but the more I watch East Asian cinema/television the more I begin to believe it is a deliberate convention.
Another example of the symbolism implemented into the story is the use of colour. The colour yellow is the most prominent example of this, as it is used throughout the series to symbolise money or wealth. Uses of this include; the massive piggy bank that gradually fills with money as the games progress, the suitcase owned by Gi-hun, which he gives to Sang-woo’s mother towards the conclusion of the story, and more leniently to present the masks and overall aesthetic of the foreman and VIPs. I say leniently as the colour used is more of a gold, but it’s close enough.
The mise-en-scene of the show is also an area I feel is important to address, as it plays a significant role in shaping the overall mood, tone and atmosphere of the narrative. The sickeningly colourful aesthetic of the facility with an almost M.C. Escher feeling is a stark contrast to the atmosphere elicited by the games themselves, with their less than pleasant outcome for those who fail in some way, helping to deliver the twisted and unnerving atmosphere responsible for at least part of the show’s acclaim.
Complementing this contrapuntal aspect of the series was the sound. More specifically, the non-diegetic sound frequently used when the people in pink are at work. This was very memorable and helped to perfect the tone the creators were trying to achieve.
The main characters were all incredibly well written and tailored throughout to make the audience feel a certain way about that. The dynamic between the characters, especially between Gi-hun and characters like Sang-woo and Oh Il-nam, made for many memorable, tense, and downright emotional moments throughout, managing to elicit a roller-coaster of emotions from the audience.
I believe the development of the relationship between Gi-hun and Sang-woo was excellently done and elevated the show, keeping it fresh and exciting, while testing the bonds established with audiences across the globe. I also liked how the side plot of the detective trying to find his brother culminated in one of the most interesting twists of the series, however it was a slightly predictable reveal.
Was the series perfect? No, there are some minor flaws or disappointments scattered throughout, but it didn’t necessarily have to be perfect. What it maybe lacked in certain areas for some, it made for by bringing South Korean television to the forefront, giving it a chance to show what it’s capable of on one of the world’s most popular and accessible streaming platforms.
This truly is an excellent show that I really believe everybody should give a chance, because who knows, it could be your gateway to South Korean Cinema/Television, and unlock a new passion, or at the very least you could find it to be a memorable ride that will stick with you for some time after that final set of credits role. I recommend this show to fans of Bong Joon-ho especially, as tropes from his filmography are also prevalent here.
Did you know you can buy Squid Game greetings cards from Thorftful? Don’t forget to check them out before they disappear for good! And don’t forget to check out our other Netflix reviews too!
Leave a Reply