Squid Game Review

A Mystery Reviewers Take on Squid Game
𝗔 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱-𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁: 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲

“𝘈 𝘣𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘥 𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘢, 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.” – The New York Times

This production was a true challenge for the cast—not only because it was the first time an adaptation had been attempted, but also due to the need to tell the story well for both those familiar with Squid Game and those experiencing it for the first time. The team rose to the occasion brilliantly, bringing to life the gripping tale of survival and desperation.

The attention to detail in costumes was outstanding, with an enormous effort made to source authentic outfits. The signature green tracksuits added uniformity to the contestants, while the guards’ menacing red jumpsuits and black masks heightened the sinister atmosphere. The effort in securing realistic locations was also remarkable—especially the eerie lighting of the train station and the high-end limousine that transported 456 to and from the games.

𝗞𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻 (𝟰𝟱𝟲) carried the production with an excellent performance. His portrayal captured the anguish of financial struggles, the spiral of compulsive gambling, and the ultimate desperation that led him to accept the invitation to play. His pivotal scene with 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮 (𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻) was particularly intense. The dimly lit train station created the perfect setting for this moment, as Barea’s calculated, sinister approach reeled 456 into the deadly competition. It was clear why Barea won Best Supporting Actor—his delivery was chillingly precise.

𝗗𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗱𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻 brought warmth and depth as 456’s mother, a hardworking woman doing her best for her family while dealing with the turmoil her son brings. Her performance in the opening scene set a heartfelt foundation for 456’s journey, making the audience truly sympathise with her struggles.

From there, the tension only escalated. As 456 woke up in his bunk bed, the atmosphere was thick with curiosity and unease. The contestants exchanged wary glances, wondering what they had signed up for. A brief moment of levity came courtesy of 𝗝𝗼𝗲𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗻 (𝟭) who tried to defuse the brewing row between 𝗡𝗼𝗲𝗹 𝗞𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘆(𝟭𝟬𝟭) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 (𝟲𝟳) with a perfectly timed, if wholly ineffective, “Hey, come on!” But there was no mistaking the genuine threat in 101’s grip or 67’s visible fear—a testament to both actors’ performances. 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗹 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻 (120) perfectly voiced what everyone in the room was thinking, asking, “What are we here for?” His delivery underscored the confusion and unease before the brutal reality of the games set in.

Red Light, Green Light was the first real shocker of the night. 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘆𝗹𝗲 (𝟮𝟱𝟬) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘇 (𝟯𝟮𝟰) perfectly captured the horror of the moment—Boyle encouraging his fallen friend to get up, only to realise with dawning horror that “elimination” was final. 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲 was an unforgettable Doll, delivering her “Red Light, Green Light” lines with chilling precision. Her controlled eye movements, eerie accent, and mechanical head turns made this scene an absolute standout.

Tensions escalated leading into Tug of War, with Joe Quinn (001) giving his team a strategic masterclass in winning—though 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗖𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗺 (𝟮𝟳𝟲) humorously questioned whether the advice would work when Quinn himself could barely stand!

As the two teams took their positions, the physical and emotional struggle was real, with every player showcasing the fear, desperation, and sheer will to survive. 𝗢𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀 (𝟮𝟭𝟮) was a standout here—joining her team with confidence and a menacing energy, berating others and adding to the psychological warfare before the battle. The scene delivered an epic showdown that left the audience holding their breath.

The final limousine scene was the perfect way to wrap up this gripping production. Keith Wilkinson’s 456, now the winner, sat opposite 𝗞𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝗻𝗻’𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻, who coolly laid out what had happened. And then, just when we thought it was over, 456 was thrown out of the car onto the street. This led to one of the most unexpected moments of the night—𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘆𝗮 𝗕𝗼𝘆𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗸 played such a convincing evangelist that a well-meaning neighbour actually called the Guards, believing a real religious protest was happening! Her triumphant “Praise the Lord!” as 456 lay dazed on the ground was a fitting, dramatic end to an unforgettable production.

This was an ambitious, high-stakes production that delivered in every way. From the outstanding performances to the incredible attention to detail in costumes, locations, and lighting, it was a triumph from start to finish.

Ciana Hall and Noel Kelly

Nicola Malone