Netflix Review: Squid Game
Squid Game faces the challenges of conceptual dramas
Squid Game is a highly effective drama worthy of high praise. There are a lot of prestige television elements that are well-written and crafted.
What immediately caught my attention was the sound design. The ominous tones do well to draw suspense. The flute-like theme that opens the show and was often played before a new game began was well used as a musical indicator.
The set design was magnificent too. The game rooms are specifically memorable, especially for the first and fourth games where intrigue is at a crescendo.
The cinematography was exceptional as well. Squid Game is loaded with creative shots and camera movements that signal a lot of preparation went into every scene.
But a nice stage, good music, and great camera work are all for naught if the characters aren’t compelling.
I got the sense that writer and director of Squid Game, Hwang Dong-Hyuk, was fixated on delivering a compelling character drama to match his visceral concept.
Conceptually focused narratives are a tricky business in the world of storytelling because audience fixation can be split by the characters, the themes, and the concept itself which is typically the viewer draw.
