Say you may separate your self from the contestants’ ache, or you do not thoughts as a result of they’ve signed on for this, the query nonetheless stays — is “Squid Recreation: The Problem” any good as a contest actuality collection? The reply, as a lot because it pains me to say it, is sure. Every part from a manufacturing standpoint is spectacular, from the sheer measurement of the competitors to the way in which each the video games and “downtime” are shot and edited. There are clear heroes and villains, alliances that come to imply one thing, and the video games themselves are (largely) compelling. For instance, it is not possible to make Dalgona, the cookie recreation, something however disgusting in actual life, particularly when one of many contestants is having a stress response and is close to to vomiting. Of the 5 episodes despatched to critics, that was the one really disagreeable or boring recreation. I used to be genuinely disillusioned after I ran out of episodes, as a result of I needed to see what would occur to the contestants I had gotten hooked up to. It is pretty well-made actuality tv, however at what price?
When the remainder of the episodes launch, I cannot end “Squid Recreation: The Problem,” regardless that I will admit that I am curious the way it all seems. That is due to the proficient creatives who put the collection collectively and the contestants themselves, and I actually really feel like all of them deserve higher one way or the other. The fact collection should not have to show us the identical classes as the unique collection another time, however that is what we acquired.
/Movie Score: 4 out of 10
“Squid Recreation: The Problem” premieres on Netflix on November 22, 2023.