The fun doesn't stop with Squid Game
On September 11, Korean survival drama
Squid Game burst onto Netflix with a vengeance. It quickly rose to the
number one spot and has since dominated both the news cycle and the world Netflix queue.
Written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk,
Squid Game treats all its characters with care and not as side pieces to further develop the story of the show's primary protagonist - down-on-his luck gambler Seong Gi-hun (Jung-jae Lee). Its twisted take on popular kids' games set against eerily sweet music makes for a tense watch at times, hence why the show's contents have become so popular across social media.
But with only nine episodes, the fun is over fairly quickly and naturally; you are left wanting more. Don't worry though - to fill the gap until a second season is released, there are plenty of shows to tickle your fancy. Let's take a look...
Alice in Borderland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49_44FFKZ1M
According to
Forbes'
Paul Tassi, numerous shows have benefitted from the success of
Squid Game, with Shinsuke Sato's
Alice in Borderland being one of them.
Set in a dystopian Tokyo, a group of teenagers find themselves transported to 'Borderland' where they similarly compete for their lives in a series of traditional video games. Throughout the series, you are introduced to the intricate backstories of each key player as the story tentatively unfolds.
Alice in Borderland is similar in structure to
Squid Game, so if you enjoyed the latter's countless twists and turns, then its Japanese cousin is definitely for you.
Black Mirror
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDiYGjp5iFg
With each new season of comes a brief period of social media hysteria - and for good reason.
Black Mirror has the unique ability to extract our fears and woes surrounding technology and exaggerate them until they resemble the stuff of nightmares. Cheers Charlie Brooker.
From the instant gratification of social media likes, to affairs that take place within video game worlds,
Black Mirror is sometimes a little too close to home but always a great escape from reality.
Osmosis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKgKa7mlEqE
French show
Osmosis takes a look at the murky world of online dating in the hopes of finding a 100 per cent match. But things grow increasingly complicated with both the technology and the love lives of the experiment's participants.
French may be considered a language of love but
Osmosis proves that technology and love are not always suitable bedfellows. From aggressive activist groups to attempted hacks, this nail-biter will have you deleting
Tinder by the end of its eight-episode arc.
Extracurricular
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV_DBz2rKsI
Korean crime drama
Extracurricular answers the question of how far you might go in order to achieve your dreams. When high school student Oh Ji-soo realises he can't afford college by himself, he becomes embroiled in the dangerous world of sex trafficking - and as you might imagine, things don't exactly go to plan.
Beneath the surface of mindless violence and questionable morals lies a completely relatable narrative. Mental health, bullying and class issues play a big part in the story, which is enhanced by the overarching themes of morality, friendship and justice.
Snowpiercer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGcJL6TG5cA
Though 2013's theatrical Snowpiercer starring Chris Evans was hardly the epitome of quality filmmaking, the TV show gains ground on establishing its characters in more depth. Set in a post-apocalyptic world consumed by ice, the characters are confined aboard a train that harbours the last survivors of humanity.
Classism is one of the most prominent themes of the series, with the wealthiest passengers living a life of luxury and the lower-earners living in slum-like conditions. With Hulk's Jennifer Connelly and Hamilton's Daveed Diggs front and centre, Snowpiercer's cold exterior is nothing compared to the sinister chill that runs throughout the show.
Sweet Home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rI56NmD33Y
Released in December 2020, Sweet Home is another show to benefit from Squid Games' success. An apocalyptic event starts to turn regular humans into monsters, causing the show's protagonist Cha Hyun-soo to hold up in his apartment building with fellow survivors.
With jump scares and enough monsters to last countless seasons, Sweet Home also dives into the fight-or-flight reactions of those in tumultuous situations. But be warned, you might need a blanket for this one.
