A heart-pumping Korean reality show where competitors engage in strategy games for seven consecutive days, similar to Squid Game, is a recommended watch for thrill-seekers.
In the realm of reality TV, "The Devil's Plan" stands out as a unique offering from Netflix. This South Korean series, which premiered in September 2023, brings together contestants from diverse backgrounds, including lawyers, chess players, journalists, and online celebrities. The casting is deliberate and thoughtful, focusing on intelligence and quick-thinking abilities.
The series is set in a confined, theatrical setting where every word and alliance matters. Each contestant plays with their own style, relying on pure logic, manipulation, or negotiation. This life-sized chessboard reinforces the sense of an ongoing mental battle.
"The Devil's Plan" highlights that human intelligence is multifaceted, unpredictable, and deeply shaped by social dynamics. The variety of approaches among contestants makes the series particularly dynamic, as no single strategy guarantees victory. The show's exploration of intelligence makes it as addictive as it is intellectually engaging.
One of the series' unique aspects is the "Fragments of Memory" challenge, where contestants observe a hospital scene and answer a series of detailed questions correctly to win prize money. Incorrect answers immediately end the match, emphasizing precision and careful memory. Another intriguing aspect is the "Secret Number" main match, where players have a secret number from 1 to 100 and gain clues by interacting privately with other players to guess their own and others' numbers.
Emotional intelligence becomes almost as crucial as raw intellect in the series, lending it a more relatable and human touch. The contestants' interactions, including alliances, betrayals, and decisions between collective and individual gain, are captivating.
The visual aesthetic of "The Devil's Plan" is clean and futuristic, with meticulous attention to detail in set design and challenges. The series makes abstract thinking feel tangible, turning intellectual puzzles into genuinely thrilling sequences. The tone of the series is subdued yet charged with tension from the very first minutes.
Each challenge in the series is accompanied by commentary to help viewers follow the contestants' choices. The series does not feature wilderness survival or physical confrontation, focusing instead on the contestants' mental prowess and strategic decision-making.
The final match consists of three 1:1 games where the first to win two games becomes the overall winner, adding a direct head-to-head competitive element. "The Devil's Plan" resembles a life-sized chessboard, reinforcing the sense of an ongoing mental battle.
Netflix streamed the first season starting in September 2023, with the second season airing in May 2025. The series distinguishes itself from other reality shows by emphasizing mental agility and alliance dynamics over physical competition. If you're looking for a show that will challenge your mind and keep you on the edge of your seat, "The Devil's Plan" is definitely worth a watch.
[1] Source: Netflix press release, September 2023.
Movies-and-tv enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the unique entertainment experience of "The Devil's Plan," streaming on Netflix starting in September 2023. The series' intelligent casting and thoughtful character development ensure that viewers are in for an en-vols ride with its captivating exploration of human intelligence and social dynamics.
