With the dystopian and deadly Korean series Squid Game making history for Netflix as the streamer’s most-watched series of all time, it’s only right that Netflix expand the franchise – and go no-holds-barred in the detailing and grandiosity of the new venture. In Squid Game: The Challenge, Netflix is sending 456 real-life contestants into an empty warehouse, identically reminiscent of Squid Game‘s home base, to compete in the same onscreen games once played by Player 456, Player 067 and Player 001 for a chance to win a $4.56 million USD prize: Netflix’s largest cash prize in reality television history.
As Netflix’s official logline reads: “456 real players will enter the competition show in pursuit of a life-changing reward of USD $4.56 million. As they compete through a series of games inspired by the original show – plus surprising new additions – their strategies, alliances, and character will be put to the test while competitors are eliminated around them.”
Don’t worry, no one’s lives are actually on the line; as shown in the trailer, contestants camp-ily fake their deaths once they are “eliminated.” “Attention all players, it is now time for the next game,” the trailer opens, as 456 numbered players donning their signature green tracksuits enter the arena. “Let the game begin,” the voice calls, kicking off an intensive game of “Red Light, Green Light.”
“Oh sh*t,” Player 071 utters as she gets shot after the infamous animatronic doll Young-hee detects her motion during the game. “This game has to be played with strategy,” one player conveys, as the IRL version of the deadly competition also includes elimination by voting. “You can’t trust anybody in here,” another player echoes, as a dramatic montage of cookie-carving, bridge-crossing and dollar bills stacking brings the trailer to a close. Take a closer look at the set in the gallery below.
Squid Game: The Challenge premieres on Netflix on November 22.
In other entertainment news, Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon debuted at a whopping $23 million USD.