Based on viewership records, Netflix Squid fishing game 2 was a resounding success. Hwang Dong-hyuk’s dark murder game returns with a vengeance, breaking the record for the largest number of viewers in the show’s first week, a record previously held by Wednesdaysaw 50.1 million followers in its first week of launch.
Squid game 2 beat that record within three days, racking up more than 68 million views. With a third installment already confirmed for 2025, hype may be at an all-time high.
However, the reviews this time are more contradictory. Some questioned the need for a second season, while others found it failed to recreate the shock and intensity that the previous season had caused and demonstrated.
A sentiment that is not surprising, since at its core is the same concept. A show about a game designed to bring out the worst in humanity. To hunt down contestants’ depressing situations. And to show in striking detail the lengths one will have to go to survive in our capitalist world. Also remind viewers that these players have made their own beds and with each vote, they continue to choose to risk their lives.
However, even though only a portion of the ground was stained, Squid game better than ever.
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Play the hero (SPOILERS AHEAD!!)
Aside from the now iconic red and green lights monitored by robots, motion sensors, and scare dolls, all of the children’s games in Hwang’s latest are new. From a foot-strapped marathon filled with anxiety, to a merry-go-round of faith, Squid game 2 abundant blood supply. However, it doesn’t reach the same high level as the original.
It also never could. Squid game is lightning in a bottle that washes up on the desolate shores of a land raging with the Pandemic. Every person who comes across it is grateful for the electricity it sends through them. Nine exhilarating episodes to combat the monotony.
However, life has returned to normal. And that shouldn’t have been retained in the second season. Even if the killing spree itself isn’t surprising, it’s made up for by a few incredible performances.
Lee Jung-jae is better than ever as Seong Gi-hun, largely because he shows more will than ever. He no longer merely participates in games, he tries to end them by force if necessary. The man who once drifted helplessly in the torrential waters, unable to control his fate and prevent the deaths of those around him, finally took control of his future. Or so it seems.
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Lee Byung-hun’s new character Hwang In-ho appears. After letting the world know about his mysterious and cold cruelty as the Leader, Byung-hun returns as a participant in the latest season. He risks his life to help contestant 456 and his friends in each game, including the holocaust and the MP5 storm uprising at the end. All in an effort to prove Gi-hun’s point.
That everyone will continue to stoop to the lowest level no matter how hard he tries to play the hero. Even when contestant 001 voted to end the competition, the deciding factor that caused the game to be paused for a day, he did so to morally corner Gi-hun. To prove that the self-proclaimed hero will have to delve into the same depths as everyone else and come up with an equally bleak solution if he wants to end the game. A point illustrated by the sacrifice of life that Gi-hun makes to create an opportunity to fight the masked men.
In-ho’s fake friendship and the viewer’s perception of his true motives lead to a suspenseful relationship with the main character that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats in a completely different way than the season. Firstly.
It is these performances, along with a compelling exploration of the strength of the mother-daughter bond, the downfall of a Marine’s courage, and the drug-induced antics of a The oppressed rapper, gave permission Squid game to feel fresh again.
Now, the final season is approaching. And with that thorny ending, Gi-hun will definitely do everything to get revenge. But will he get lost in his desire for revenge, lose his desire to save lives in his quest for death?
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