Squid Game's Run Ends As Media Grows Tired of Survival Drama Series
Netflix's survival thriller series, Squid Game, initially made an almost-overnight success in September 2021, capturing worldwide attention with its viral premise [1]. However, the media coverage and reception for the subsequent seasons have seen a significant decline compared to the first.
Created, written, and directed by South Korean filmmaker Hwang Dong-hyuk, the games in Squid Game are deadly, and players compete for a chance to win $30 million [2]. The series ended its run with less media coverage than during its debut four years ago [3].
The polarized critical and audience reception, especially for Season 3, has been a key factor in this decline. While the initial season was praised for its nuanced socio-political commentary and philosophical depth [2], critics found the third season to be rushed, with underdeveloped character arcs and forced themes [2].
Another contributing factor is the loss of momentum due to the split release and pacing. The delay and split between Seasons 2 and 3 caused a break in the overarching story’s momentum, with Season 2 disrupting the flow and Season 3's attempt to catch up leading to a hurried storyline [2].
Moreover, the diminished novelty and impact of the later seasons have also played a role. The first season, released during the pandemic, captured widespread attention with its fresh suspense and compelling socio-economic message [3]. Later seasons, despite high viewership, faced a challenge to meet the high expectations and did not add as much new depth, reducing the intensity of media focus over time [3].
Although all three seasons dominated Netflix's global charts, the critical divide and audience dissatisfaction likely tempered media enthusiasm and coverage compared to the first season’s breakout moment [1][4].
Google records show that the peak number of times 'Squid Game' was searched during June this year was around a third lower than in October 2021 following the release of the first season [5]. The number of media mentions of the show in June were less than half the total from October four years ago [5]. It is worth noting that Squid Game was not mentioned in the media at all in June and July 2021 [5].
Despite the decline in media coverage, Squid Game continues to be a popular show. The second season launched on Boxing Day last year and became Netflix's biggest television debut ever with a total of 126.2 million views across 11 days [6]. Season three of Squid Game attracted 60.1 million views in its first three days, more than any other show in the same period [6].
In a surprising twist, an English-language version of Squid Game directed by David Fincher is under development, rumored to star Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett [7]. This new adaptation promises to bring the series to a wider audience, potentially reigniting the media buzz that surrounded the first season.
References:
- The Verge
- Variety
- Polygon
- Deadline
- The Guardian
- Bloomberg
- The Hollywood Reporter
"The English-language adaptation of 'Squid Game', directed by David Fincher and starring Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett, has the potential to reignite the media buzz that surrounded the initial season, as many are eager to see how this version will bring the series to a wider audience."
"Despite the significant decline in media coverage for the subsequent seasons of 'Squid Game' compared to the first, the series continues to be popular on streaming platforms such as Netflix, with Season three attracting over 60 million views in its first three days."
