Written By: Sakura Snyder, Staff Writer
STIRRING: This Netflix thriller, similar to Squid Game, will keep you on the edge of your seat.
It comes as no surprise that by now, most of everyone has heard of the critically acclaimed series, Squid Game. This show, which became an international sensation in late 2021, covers the story of a working-class individual named Seong Gi-hun as he finds himself entering life-or-death games in exchange for a grand sum of money. There are many possible reasons why Squid Game could have gained its popularity in such a short amount of time: its dynamic cast, hair-raising gameplay, and of course, the complexities and mystery under it all. If you, as an individual, are looking for another thriller to enjoy for similar reasons, I would highly recommend the Japanese Netflix series, which has recently come out with a season 2, Alice in Borderland.
Alice in Borderland stars the main character, Arisu, as he takes a journey in trying to make sense of the strange version of Shibuya that his friends had been mysteriously transported into— while simultaneously trying to stay alive. Alice in Borderland, like Squid Game, involves a series of sadistic games that are played under many pressuring circumstances. However, in Alice in Borderland, the characters are not told any information about the reason they are playing. They must participate in these games against their will, with seemingly no grand award. If they fail to comply or lose in the games, they will confront death. There is arguably a deeper level of mystery in Alice in Borderland because of the lack of information given to the players about what would happen if they reached a certain amount of games played, or why they were even there. There is no clear answer to as to whether the characters could return to their home—which makes the show all the more gripping to watch.
Another aspect of Alice in Borderland that makes it so exciting to watch as a show is simply its list of characters and the fact that they each have their own unique personalities and upbringings. For instance, Arisu’s ability to outsmart even the most complex and puzzling games is incredible to watch. Chishiya, another incredibly smart but mysterious character, is also fun to see on the screen. There are many more characteristics of Alice in Borderland that make it, in my opinion, a worthwhile watch, but I could go on forever. Before you think about watching this show, however, I must make it clear that it is in the thriller genre for a reason—if you are sensitive to violent content and such, please consider searching up warnings before deciding whether or not to watch it. However, in case you do enjoy thrillers, I would highly recommend you give this show a shot!