Squid Game, Netflix’s hit Korean thriller, has finally returned for its second season. The reviews are in, and they range from sensational to letdown.
The Guardian praised the show as “TV that will make you uncomfortably bloodthirsty indeed,” describing it as a layered and nuanced story of revenge and redemption. However, Rebecca Nicholson noted that the early episodes feel like delaying tactics and spend too many episodes dragging its heels.
In contrast, The Times hailed season two as “sensational” and said it explores life on the outside while maintaining the gruesome shade that made the first series so successful. Tim Glanfield awarded four stars to the show, citing careful pacing and thoughtful storytelling.
Not all critics were impressed, though. Ed Power of The Telegraph compared season two to a difficult second album, saying it lacks interest in surpassing its predecessor. Daniel Feinberg from The Hollywood Reporter called the season “a thorough letdown,” stating that it doesn’t work on any fundamental level.
Despite these mixed reviews, director Hwang Dong-hyuk has defended his approach, citing high audience expectations and a desire to explore themes of wealth inequality. Critics have praised the show’s ability to strip away shock and reveal its anti-capitalist message, positioning Seong Gi-hun as our surrogate.
The new season introduces hundreds of new competitors, including characters like No Eul, a North Korean defector, and Myung Gi, a former YouTube star. The show explores themes of redemption and revenge, but ultimately falls short of delivering the same level of shock and horror that made the first series so successful.
While some critics have called season two a letdown, others see it as an improvement in terms of pacing and storytelling. Overall, Squid Game’s second season is a mixed bag, with both sensational moments and disappointing ones.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c159d35jq7zo