Squid Game: The Challenge

Squid Game: The Challenge
Promotional poster
Genre	Reality competition
Based on	Squid Game by Hwang Dong-hyuk
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
No. of series	1
No. of episodes	Template:Episode counter
Production
Executive producers	Nicola Brown Tim Harcourt John Hay Toni Ireland Anna Kidd Stephen Lambert Louise Peet Nia Yemoh Stephen Yemoh
Running time	40–57 minutes
Production companies	Studio Lambert The Garden
Original release
Network	Netflix
Release	22 November 2023 (2023-11-22) – present

Squid Game: The Challenge is a ten-episode British reality competition television series based on Squid Game, the South Korean drama. The show features 456 players competing for US$4.56 million, the largest single cash prize in game show history.

The Netflix original was produced as a collaboration between independent television production companies Studio Lambert and the Garden, with Studio Lambert leading physical production in the UK. The first 5 episodes of the show were released internationally on 22 November 2023 on Netflix. Episodes 6–9 were released on 29 November, while episode 10, the finale, will be released on 6 December.

The show was No. 1 on Netflix’s list of Top 10 English-language show for the first two weeks after its release. It had 20.5 million views in its first week and 11.4 million in its second.

On 6th December 2023, Netflix announced a second season order for the reality competition.

Premise

456 players compete to win US$4.56 million (about £3.6 million), the largest cast and single cash prize in game show history, breaking the previous prize record of $2,600,000 won by Andrew Kravis in The Million Second Quiz. Through a series of games, each player is pushed to their limits and forced to ask themselves how far they will go to win.

Gameplay

Players were eliminated in the first two rounds by getting "shot" (dye packs in their uniforms). Players listed below were eliminated in that particular round.

Red Light, Green Light

In Red Light, Green Light, players had what it seems to be five minutes to cross the arena without getting caught by the robotic girl.

Eliminated players (259)

• 001 Jinah
• 005 Hannah
• 007 Lauren
• 008 Amanda
• 009 RC
• 010 Shiloh
• 011 Tej
• 012 Luca
• 014 Axel
• 015 Matthew
• 017 Hollya
• 022 Will
• 024 Richard
• 025 Portis
• 027 Kaitlin
• 028 Kevin
• 029 Shauna
• 032 Larry
• 036 Kayvon
• 037 Rad
• 038 Priya
• 040 Julia
• 042 Corbin
• 044 Kitt
• 045 Philip
• 046 Anisah
• 047 Michael
• 049 Chuck
• 050 Jay
• 052 Brittany
• 056 Sonjia
• 058 Tristyn
• 060 Leva
• 061 Roberto
• 062 Karen
• 063 Jane
• 064 Jennifer
• 066 Connor
• 069 Mason
• 071 Brenda
• 072 Edgardo
• 074 Mags
• 075 Kevin
• 076 Jim
• 078 Mary
• 081 Long
• 082 Jordan
• 084 Halie
• 085 Raidy
• 086 Anthony
• 088 Nikole
• 089 Michael
• 091 Alex
• 093 Auggie
• 094 Maria
• 100 Vicky
• 102 Thomas
• 104 Diego
• 105 Zach
• 108 Melissa
• 110 Martin
• 111 Parag
• 112 Yvonne
• 113 Gemma
• 115 Nate
• 117 Glen
• 118 Todd
• 119 Evan
• 121 Tiera
• 122 Brian
• 123 Lee
• 124 James
• 125 Tracey
• 126 Dennis
• 127 Stephanie
• 128 Jeffrey
• 129 Noly
• 131 Demetric
• 133 Merrilynn
• 138 Amanda
• 139 Shenequa
• 140 Renata
• 143 Taslimah
• 145 Michael
• 146 Teresa
• 147 Orret
• 148 Agness
• 150 Kira
• 151 Serifat
• 152 Todd
• 153 Trina
• 155 Keanna
• 156 Alexia
• 157 Susan
• 159 Michelle
• 160 Wilda
• 162 Vivien
• 163 Ezzeti
• 164 Danny
• 167 Keyen
• 168 Bill
• 169 Angela
• 171 Mary
• 172 Mike
• 173 Dominique
• 174 Raquel
• 175 Edwin
• 180 Tanisha
• 184 Kelly
• 185 Ben
• 189 Andy
• 190 Jess
• 195 Erica
• 196 Samantha
• 197 Ron
• 199 Michelle
• 201 Emil
• 203 Kevin
• 205 Eugénie
• 206 Rayan
• 207 Gabriele
• 208 Steve
• 211 Brianna
• 212 Terry
• 213 Will
• 214 Betty
• 216 Brent
• 217 Alexa
• 225 Hekmat
• 227 Essence
• 228 Jim
• 230 Jonathan
• 231 Jamie
• 233 Siham
• 234 Christine
• 235 Alexia
• 236 Diamond
• 237 Tom
• 238 Jon
• 239 Brian
• 240 Bob
• 241 Randy
• 242 Chase
• 244 Antonio
• 246 Ayawni
• 247 Halie
• 249 Tony
• 250 Jessica
• 251 Jack
• 252 William
• 253 Craig
• 255 Courtney
• 256 Cara
• 257 Jason
• 260 Zackary
• 261 Vincent
• 263 Cathy
• 266 Louisa
• 268 Jason
• 272 Pollyanna
• 275 Ryan
• 276 Monique
• 279 Sean
• 280 Yesid
• 281 Jared
• 282 Lisa
• 283 Kevin
• 284 Gabriella
• 290 Kevin
• 291 Kevin
• 292 Kimberly
• 293 Kelly
• 294 Pinky
• 295 Madison
• 296 Ashley
• 298 Michael
• 300 Brian
• 303 Michelle
• 304 Adrienne
• 305 Elizabeth
• 306 Nefertiti
• 308 Kari
• 309 Hali
• 310 Susan
• 311 Meredith
• 313 Ted
• 315 Cadet
• 316 Laceya
• 318 Starla
• 320 Greg
• 324 Michelle
• 325 Robert
• 327 Jodi
• 329 Roger
• 331 Jamie
• 332 Ashley
• 333 Margarita
• 340 Midge
• 342 Brittney
• 346 Justin
• 347 Jenny
• 348 Suzy
• 351 Austin
• 353 Oliver
• 354 David
• 356 Jason
• 358 Keema
• 360 Lindsey
• 363 Theresa
• 364 Cecilia
• 365 Jayne
• 366 Laura-Jayne
• 369 Jason
• 370 Greg
• 372 David
• 373 Tee
• 376 Danielle
• 377 Samantha
• 379 Yohan
• 380 Dewayne
• 381 Dyon
• 383 Soly
• 384 Josh
• 385 Jordan
• 387 Bo
• 388 Stephanie
• 390 Sarah
• 391 Tyra
• 392 Alecia
• 394 Chanel
• 395 Librado
• 398 Myranda
• 400 Serena
• 401 Shehnaz
• 402 Aluda
• 403 Mark
• 405 Fiona
• 406 Rhian
• 407 Alex
• 408 Ryan
• 409 Helen
• 412 Laura
• 413 John
• 415 Andrew
• 416 Stewart
• 419 Areca
• 420 Amy
• 421 Kaya
• 423 Kevin
• 424 Steven
• 425 Scott
• 426 Jia
• 430 Rodney
• 431 Ryan
• 436 Domenick
• 441 Singh
• 448 Ryan
• 449 Marcus
• 450 Shelley

Decision test

While peeling carrots in between games, players 101 and 134 were given the option to give a player an advantage or eliminate a player. They opted to eliminate.

Eliminated players (1)

• 200 Mothi

Dalgona

Prior to the game, players were asked to stand in four separate lines. One player from each line was asked to agree on which groups (including themselves) would be assigned the four dalgona shapes. When the four players could not come to an agreement in two minutes, they were eliminated. Ultimately, after three rounds of decisions, players 299, 344, 432, and 452 were able to come to a decision.

Eliminated players (8)

• 98 Zach
• 166 Louisa
• 170 Alexander
• 288 D'Andre
• 321 Laverne
• 328 Louise
• 378 Hikmat
• 454 Kevin

Players were then tasked to etch the shape in the Dalgona Candy with a needle.

Eliminated players (69)

• 003 Ike
• 004 Christiaan
• 006 Erin
• 013 Paola
• 020 George
• 021 Emma
• 039 Anthony
• 048 Dani
• 053 Rex
• 055 Cecia
• 059 Dawson
• 067 Samantha
• 070 Stephanie
• 073 Daria
• 079 Adam
• 092 Gabriel
• 095 Arlene
• 096 Darlene
• 099 Justin
• 101 Kyle
• 109 Bridget
• 114 Logan
• 116 Sophie
• 132 Courtney
• 134 Dani
• 137 Kallum
• 144 Destinie
• 154 Justin
• 165 Dylan
• 177 Joshua
• 181 Deandre
• 191 Emanuele
• 192 Yujin
• 193 Neta
• 219 Sidney
• 223 Parker
• 224 Amanda
• 245 Michael
• 259 Nicholas
• 262 Jimmy
• 265 Michelangella
• 271 Joy
• 274 Allison
• 277 Sabrina
• 285 Andrew
• 289 Erica
• 299 Spencer
• 307 Dylan
• 314 Asher
• 317 Jordan
• 322 Juliet
• 335 Allie
• 338 Jordan
• 341 Madison
• 345 Precious
• 349 Kiterra
• 368 Pashyn
• 371 Thomas
• 397 Brittany
• 411 Shannyn
• 417 Alex
• 428 Samuel
• 437 Forrest
• 439 Beetle
• 440 Jeremy
• 443 Adam
• 444 Brooklyn
• 455 Tabitha
• 456 Chase

Phone test

Between games, a phone was provided in the dormitory. Player 198 picked up the phone and was told that, to avoid elimination, he would need to convince another player to pick up the phone as well. He was unsuccessful.

Eliminated players (1)

• 198 Husnain

Warship

Players were tasked to create eight evenly split teams. The teams then were faced off against another team to play the next game, a variant on Battleship. After identifying a captain and lieutenant, teams had to place boats on a game board and seat players in the boats. When all boats were placed, teams shot "rockets" at the other team's game board to sink the ships. The first team to sink two ships won the round. All players in sunk ships and the Captain and Lieutenant of the losing team were eliminated, while all other players (including players on the losing team in surviving boats) moved on.

Eliminated players (45)

• 033 Figgy
• 034 Hannah
• 035 Megan
• 041 Jastin
• 057 Madison
• 068 Abdulla
• 103 Stephanie
• 106 Jessica
• 107 Tayo
• 135 Vanessa
• 136 Carlos
• 142 Anna
• 186 Onur
• 187 Kevin
• 188 Sam
• 194 Saïd
• 218 Michael
• 220 Jessi
• 226 Aiyanna
• 248 Chaun
• 258 Brownie
• 264 Tyler
• 267 Amanda
• 270 Adrian
• 273 Darylle
• 297 Kwame
• 343 Brianna
• 350 Lindsey
• 352 Radhika
• 357 Nayo
• 362 Kiara
• 367 Camilla
• 386 Mimi
• 389 Taylor
• 396 Scott
• 414 Rebecca
• 422 Riley
• 432 Bryton
• 433 Alex
• 434 Joe
• 435 Catherine
• 438 Shelby
• 446 Tom
• 447 Yongjun
• 452 Mark

Vote test

Players were told that they each would place a vote for one person to be eliminated. The top three receivers of votes were eliminated.

Eliminated players (3)

• 161 Lorenzo
• 330 Kien
• 374 Andy

Jack-in-the-box test

Five volunteers were provided with jack-in-the-boxes which included tasks for them to complete. Player 130 was given an advantage in the next game (although he was eliminated before he was able to utilize it). Player 375 was eliminated. Player 087 was told to eliminate one player (Player 176). Player 183 was told to eliminate two players (Players 026 and 141). Player 229 was told to eliminate three players (Players 130, 232, and 243).

Eliminated players (7)

• 026 Amber
• 130 Jakoben
• 141 Dash
• 176 Darius
• 232 Rick
• 243 Stephen
• 375 Joel

Marbles

For completing a chore successfully in the designated time, players were treated with a picnic where they sat in pairs. Hidden in the baskets were marbles, and players were told that their opponents for the Marbles game would be the person with whom they had their picnic.

Eliminated players (32)

• 043 Eddie
• 054 Lucia
• 065 Dylan
• 080 Rachelle
• 083 Christian
• 087 Kyle
• 097 Jada
• 179 Chaney
• 183 Jesse
• 202 Elliott
• 209 Marcus
• 210 Chad
• 229 Phalisia
• 302 Leann
• 312 Alexis
• 319 Yu Hannah
• 326 Melissa
• 334 Robert
• 336 Brian
• 337 Brad
• 339 Rob
• 344 Charlie
• 359 Malyk
• 361 Melissa
• 382 Tim
• 399 Aurora
• 404 Ned
• 410 Demi
• 427 Trudy
• 442 Phillip
• 445 Chapman
• 453 Rachel

Remaining players (31)

• 002 Favour
• 016 Sam
• 018 Bee
• 019 Amanda
• 023 Siobhan
• 030 Jinwoo
• 031 Purna
• 051 Rose Mary Kah
• 077 Marina
• 090 Ankur
• 120 Clayton
• 149 Justin
• 158 Preston
• 178 Chaz
• 182 TJ
• 204 Dan
• 215 Eric
• 221 Charles
• 222 Jordan
• 254 Mikie
• 269 James
• 278 Ashley
• 286 Chad
• 287 Mai
• 301 Trey
• 323 Ed
• 355 Hallie
• 393 Jackie
• 418 Roland
• 429 Elliott
• 451 Phill

Allegiance test

The remaining players are tasked to decide on a captain, Player 182: TJ was eventually selected. Player 182: TJ is then informed that he alongside only 19 others will move on to play in Game 5, and that the next test will be an Allegiance Test. The captain must select one ally from the group to advance alongside him. This selection sets off a domino effect, where each chosen player picks another, creating a chain of allegiances. At the end of the test, the 11 players not selected are eliminated.

Selection sequence

1. 182 TJ is chosen as the captain
2. 182 TJ chooses 287 Mai
3. 287 Mai chooses 286 Chad
4. 286 Chad chooses 254 Mike
5. 254 Mike chooses 077 Marina
6. 077 Marina chooses 018 Bee
7. 018 Bee chooses 019 Amanda
8. 019 Amanda chooses 393 Jackie
9. 393 Jackie chooses 451 Phill
10. 451 Phill chooses 278 Ashley
11. 278 Ashley chooses 016 Sam
12. 016 Sam chooses 023 Siobhan
13. 023 Siobhan chooses 051 Rose Mary Kah
14. 051 Rose Mary Kah chooses 221 Charles
15. 221 Charles chooses 355 Hallie
16. 355 Hallie chooses 429 Elliott
17. 429 Elliott chooses 418 Roland
18. 418 Roland chooses 301 Trey
19. 301 Trey chooses 269 James
20. 269 James chooses 031 Purna as Final Pick

Eliminated players (11)

• 002 Favour
• 030 Jinwoo
• 090 Ankur
• 120 Clayton
• 149 Justin
• 158 Preston
• 178 Chaz
• 204 Dan
• 215 Eric
• 222 Jordan
• 323 Ed

Remaining players (20)

• 016 Sam
• 018 Bee
• 019 Amanda
• 023 Siobhan
• 031 Purna
• 051 Rose Mary Kah
• 077 Marina
• 182 TJ
• 221 Charles
• 254 Mike
• 269 James
• 278 Ashley
• 286 Chad
• 287 Mai
• 301 Trey
• 355 Hallie
• 393 Jackie
• 418 Roland
• 429 Elliott
• 451 Phill

Glass Bridge

The game featured a glass bridge containing 17 pairs of glass tiles. Each set of tiles represents two types of glass: one type was safe to stand on, the other was not. Each player had to wear a vest assigned a unique number ranging from 1 to 20 and cross the bridge in sequential order within 30 minutes. Wrong choices on the bridge led to elimination.

Order assignment

To add a layer of unpredictability to the game, players were instructed to select a teddy bear from a claw machine. Each bear was associated with a hidden specific number, which they then needed to assign to another player, establishing the sequence in which the contestants would participate in the game.

Selection sequence

1. 287 Mai grabs vest 04 and chooses 077 Marina
2. 278 Ashley grabs vest 06 and chooses 031 Purna
3. 451 Phill grabs vest 08 and chooses 418 Roland
4. 393 Jackie grabs vest 01 and chooses 182 TJ
5. 221 Charles grabs vest 03 and chooses 301 Trey
6. 016 Sam grabs vest 09 and chooses 429 Elliott
7. 031 Purna grabs vest 05 and chooses 278 Ashley
8. 269 James grabs vest 12 and chooses 051 Rose Mary Kah
9. 429 Elliott grabs vest 18 and chooses 355 Hallie
10. 254 Mike grabs vest 07 and chooses 393 Jackie
11. 182 TJ grabs vest 20 and chooses 287 Mai
12. 019 Amanda grabs vest 02 and chooses 221 Charles
13. 077 Marina grabs vest 13 and chooses 023 Siobhan
14. 418 Roland grabs vest 10 and chooses 451 Phill
15. 301 Trey grabs vest 15 and chooses 269 James
16. 355 Hallie grabs vest 14 and chooses 254 Mike
17. 286 Chad grabs vest 17 and chooses 016 Sam
18. 051 Rose Mary Kah grabs vest 16 and chooses 018 Bee
19. 023 Siobhan grabs vest 19 and chooses 019 Amanda
20. 018 Bee grabs the final vest, 11, it goes to 286 Chad by default

Player sequences

#1	#2	#3	#4	#5	#6	#7	#8	#9	#10
182 TJ	221 Charles	301 Trey	077 Marina	278 Ashley	031 Purna	393 Jackie	418 Roland	429 Elliott	451 Phill
#11	#12	#13	#14	#15	#16	#17	#18	#19	#20
286 Chad	051 Rose Mary Kah	023 Siobhan	254 Mike	269 James	018 Bee	016 Sam	355 Hallie	019 Amanda	287 Mai

Eliminated players (8)

• 023 Siobhan
• 077 Marina
• 182 TJ
• 221 Charles
• 254 Mike
• 269 James
• 301 Trey
• 393 Jackie

Remaining players (12)

• 016 Sam
• 018 Bee
• 019 Amanda
• 031 Purna
• 051 Rose Mary Kah
• 278 Ashley
• 286 Chad
• 287 Mai
• 355 Hallie
• 418 Roland
• 429 Elliott
• 451 Phill

Die test

Players need to take turns and roll the dice. Before rolling, they must decide whether to nominate their own name or another player's name. If a player rolls a '6', the nominated person will be eliminated. The game stops when 3 players are eliminated. The players selected Player 287 as the Leader, and consequently, 287 Mai was designated to be the first to roll the dice.

1. 287 Mai nominates 278 Ashley and rolls a 4
2. 418 Roland nominates himself and rolls a 3
3. 016 Sam nominates himself and rolls a 4
4. 355 Hallie nominates herself and rolls a 2
5. 018 Bee nominates herself and rolls a 6, eliminating herself
6. 278 Ashley nominates 287 Mai and rolls a 5
7. 429 Elliot nominates himself and rolls a 3
8. 031 Purna nominates himself and rolls a 6, eliminating himself
9. 451 Phill nominates himself and rolls a 2
10. 019 Amanda nominates herself and rolls a 3
11. 286 Chad nominates himself and rolls a 6, eliminating himself and ending the game

Eliminated players (3)

• 018 Bee
• 031 Purna
• 286 Chad

Remaining players (9)

• 016 Sam
• 019 Amanda
• 051 Rose Mary Kah
• 278 Ashley
• 287 Mai
• 355 Hallie
• 418 Roland
• 429 Elliott
• 451 Phill

Circle of Trust

Players are seated at desks in a circle with a podium in the middle with a gift box, and then blindfolded. When tapped on the shoulder, the player secretly removes their blindfold, picks up the gift box, places it on another player's desk which they wish to be eliminated, then returns to their desk and replaces their blindfold. They all then remove their blindfolds and the player gets to guess who placed the box on their desk. If they guess correctly, the gifter is eliminated; if they guess incorrectly, they are eliminated. This game is an altered version of Heads up, seven up.

Eliminated players (6)

• 019 Amanda
• 051 Rose Mary Kah
• 278 Ashley
• 355 Hallie
• 418 Roland
• 429 Elliott

Remaining players (3)

• 016 Sam
• 287 Mai
• 451 Phill

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
1	"Red Light, Green Light"	Unknown	Unknown	22 November 2023 (2023-11-22)
2	"The Man with the Umbrella"	Unknown	Unknown	22 November 2023 (2023-11-22)
3	"War"	Unknown	Unknown	22 November 2023 (2023-11-22)
4	"Nowhere to Hide"	Unknown	Unknown	22 November 2023 (2023-11-22)
5	"Trick or Treat"	Unknown	Unknown	22 November 2023 (2023-11-22)
6	"Goodbye"	Unknown	Unknown	29 November 2023 (2023-11-29)
7	"Friend and Foe"	Unknown	Unknown	29 November 2023 (2023-11-29)
8	"One Step Closer"	Unknown	Unknown	29 November 2023 (2023-11-29)
9	"Circle of Trust"	Unknown	Unknown	29 November 2023 (2023-11-29)
10	"One Lucky Day"	Unknown	Unknown	6 December 2023 (2023-12-06)

Production

In June 2022, it was announced that Netflix had given the production a series order.

Casting

Applications for the series opened in June 2022 with an announcement video released on YouTube. Netflix sought contestants from around the world but mandated that they must be English-speaking. The streaming service put out a final casting call in September 2022.

With 456 real players, the series claims to have the largest cast in reality TV history.

Filming

Filming began in January 2023 across two studios in the UK, Cardington Studios in Bedford and on six giant sound stages in Barking, London.

Reports emerged that ambulances had been called to treat real-life injuries sustained while filming the show. Several players claimed in an interview that "Red Light, Green Light" had actually lasted for 7 hours, where players had to hold poses for up to 30 minutes. Netflix denied the severity of the reports, stating that the injuries were mild medical conditions and that they care about the health and safety of the cast and crew. The local ambulance service also stated it had not been called out to the studios. Britain's Health and Safety Executive evaluated the production after these complaints and found no actionable issues. Two unnamed players from the show threatened to sue Netflix after claiming that they had hypothermia during filming.

Release

The first five episodes of Squid Game: The Challenge were released on 22 November 2023. Episodes 6–9 were released on 29 November, while episode 10, the finale, will be released on 6 December.

Game summary

Due to size constraints, this table only includes the 119 contestants that succeeded in Games 1 & 2, and appear in Episode 3: War.

Please note that 337 contestants were eliminated between the first two episodes and are not included in the game summary table.

Color key:

  WINNER The winner of Squid Game

  RUNNER-UP The runner-up of Squid Game

  WIN Successfully passed the game

  RISK At risk of getting eliminated

  OUT Eliminated from Squid Game via failing a game or test

  OUT Eliminated from Squid Game via being voted out

  LOSE Failed Game 3: Warships, but continued on in the competition

   Successfully selected a shape for their group in Game 2: Dalgona

   Elected Captain of their group in Game 3: Warships, or in the Allegiance test

   Elected Lieutenant of their group in Game 3: Warships

Squid Game: The Challenge Contestant Episode Progress

Contestants		Episodes
Number	Name	1	2		3		4	5	6		7		8			9		10
		1. Red Light, Green Light	2. Dalgona		3. Warships		Group Vote	Jack-in- the-Box Test	4. Marbles		Allegiance Test	5. Glass Bridge		Die Test		6. Circle of Trust		7. Squid Game
016	Sam	WIN	Star	WIN	Group 5	RISK			344: Charlie	WIN	023: Siobhan	17 (by 286)	WIN	016 4			WIN
287	Mai		Star		Group 7	LOSE			097: Jada	WIN	286: Chad	20 (by 182)	WIN	278 4	RISK	418, 429	WIN
451	Phill		Star		Group 2	LOSE			337: Bradford	WIN	278: Ashley	10 (by 418)	WIN	451 2		051, 278, 355	WIN
355	Hallie		Circle		Group 8	LOSE			410: Demi	WIN	429: Elliott	18 (by 429)	WIN	355 2		019, 287	OUT
278	Ashley		Circle		Group 3	WIN			229: Phalisia	WIN	016: Sam	05 (by 031)	WIN	RISK	287 5	451	OUT
051	Rose Mary Kah		Triangle		Group 3	RISK			080: Rachelle	WIN	221: Charles	12 (by 269)	WIN			451	OUT
429	Elliott		Circle		Group 8	LOSE			427: Trudy	WIN	418: Roland	09 (by 016)	WIN	429 3		287	OUT
019	Amanda		Circle		Group 6	WIN			336: Brian	WIN	393: Jackie	19 (by 023)	WIN	019 3		451	OUT
418	Roland		Umbrella		Group 8	LOSE			202: Elliott	WIN	301: Trey	08 (by 451)	WIN	418 3		051	OUT
286	Chad		Circle		Group 7	LOSE			334: Robert	WIN	254: Mikie	11	WIN	286 6	OUT
031	Purna		Circle		Group 4	WIN			339: Rob	WIN	SAFE	06 (by 278)	WIN	031 6	OUT
018	Bee		Circle		Group 6	WIN			361: Melissa	WIN	019: Amanda	16 (by 051)	WIN	018 6	OUT
269	James		Circle		Group 4	WIN			312: Alexis	WIN	031: Purna	15 (by 301)	OUT
254	Mikie		Triangle		Group 2	LOSE			087: Kyle	WIN	077: Marina	14 (by 355)	OUT
023	Siobhan		Triangle		Group 5	RISK			054: Lucia	WIN	051: Rose Mary Kah	13 (by 077)	OUT
393	Jackie		Star		Group 6	WIN			382: Tim	WIN	451: Phill	07 (by 254)	OUT
301	Trey		Circle		Group 5	WIN			302: LeAnn	WIN	269: James	03 (by 221)	OUT
077	Marina		Circle		Group 5	WIN			083: Christian	WIN	018: Bee	04 (by 287)	OUT
221	Charles		Star		Group 5	WIN			179: Chaney	WIN	355: Hallie	02 (by 019)	OUT
182	TJ		Star		Group 5	WIN			183: Jesse	WIN	287: Mai	01 (by 393)	OUT
002	Favour		Circle		Group 3	WIN			319: Yu Hannah	WIN	OUT
030	Jinwoo		Triangle		Group 7	LOSE			445: Chapman	WIN	OUT
090	Ankur		Triangle		Group 7	LOSE			043: Eddie	WIN	OUT
120	Clayton		Star		Group 6	WIN			453: Rachel	WIN	OUT
149	Justin		Triangle		Group 6	RISK			404: Ned	WIN	OUT
158	Preston		Triangle		Group 3	WIN			359: Malyk	WIN	OUT
178	Chaz		Star		Group 3	WIN			442: Phillip	WIN	OUT
204	Daniel		Star		Group 4	WIN			209: Marcus	WIN	OUT
215	Eric		Umbrella		Group 1	LOSE			210: Chad	WIN	OUT
222	Jordan		Triangle		Group 1	LOSE			SAFE		OUT
323	Ed		Star		Group 1	LOSE			326: Melissa	WIN	OUT
302	LeAnn		Circle		Group 5	RISK	RISK		301: Trey	OUT
336	Brian		Triangle		Group 4	WIN			019: Amanda	OUT
319	Yu Hannah		Umbrella		Group 3	WIN			002: Favour	OUT
229	Phalisia		Star		Group 5	RISK		130, 243, 232	278: Ashley	OUT
087	Kyle		Triangle		Group 2	LOSE		176	254: Mikie	OUT
399	Aurora		Circle		Group 2	LOSE			065: Dylan	OUT
065	Dylan		Triangle		Group 4	WIN			399: Aurora	OUT
179	Chaney		Star		Group 5	WIN	RISK		221: Charles	OUT
344	Charlie		Star		Group 3	WIN			016: Sam	OUT
183	Jesse		Star		Group 5	WIN		026, 141	182: TJ	OUT
334	Robert		Star		Group 4	WIN			286: Chad	OUT
097	Jada		Triangle		Group 5	WIN			287: Mai	OUT
209	Marcus		Star		Group 4	WIN			204: Daniel	OUT
382	Tim		Triangle		Group 6	WIN			393: Jackie	OUT
083	Christian		Triangle		Group 6	RISK			077: Marina	OUT
361	Melissa		Triangle		Group 5	WIN			018: Bee	OUT
404	Ned		Circle		Group 2	LOSE			149: Justin	OUT
339	Rob		Triangle		Group 3	WIN			031: Purna	OUT
337	Bradford		Star		Group 3	WIN			451: Phill	OUT
453	Rachel		Circle		Group 6	WIN			120: Clayton	OUT
054	Lucia		Triangle		Group 5	WIN			023: Siobhan	OUT
312	Alexis		Star		Group 4	WIN			269: James	OUT
326	Melissa		Circle		Group 1	LOSE			323: Ed	OUT
445	Chapman		Triangle		Group 6	WIN			030: Jinwoo	OUT
043	Eddie		Triangle		Group 6	WIN			090: Ankur	OUT
359	Malyk		Triangle		Group 3	RISK			158: Preston	OUT
442	Phillip		Triangle		Group 6	RISK			178: Chaz	OUT
210	Chad		Triangle		Group 1	LOSE			215: Eric	OUT
427	Trudy		Circle		Group 8	LOSE			429: Elliott	OUT
080	Rachelle		Star		Group 6	WIN			051: Rose Mary Kah	OUT
410	Demi		Triangle		Group 8	LOSE			355: Hallie	OUT
202	Elliott		Circle		Group 4	WIN			418: Roland	OUT
232	Rick		Circle		Group 4	WIN		OUT
243	Stephen	Star	Group 4	RISK		OUT
130	Jakoben	Circle	Group 6	WIN		OUT
176	Darius	Star	Group 5	WIN		OUT
375	Joel	Circle	Group 4	WIN		OUT
141	Dash	Circle	Group 2	LOSE		OUT
026	Amber	Circle	Group 1	LOSE		OUT
161	Lorenzo	Triangle	Group 5	WIN	OUT
330	Kien	Umbrella	Group 7	LOSE	OUT
374	Andy	Circle	Group 4	RISK	OUT
258	Brownie	Circle	Group 7	OUT
273	Darylle	Circle	Group 7	OUT
367	Camilla	Umbrella	Group 7	OUT
107	Tayo	Umbrella	Group 7	OUT
194	Saïd	Umbrella	Group 7	OUT
035	Megan	Circle	Group 7	OUT
103	Stephanie	Triangle	Group 7	OUT
248	Chaun	Circle	Group 7	OUT
033	Figgy	Circle	Group 7	OUT
297	Kwame	Star	Group 7	OUT
414	Rebecca	Triangle	Group 4	OUT
218	Michael	Triangle	Group 4	OUT
057	Madison	Triangle	Group 8	OUT
434	Joe	Circle	Group 8	OUT
362	Kiara	Triangle	Group 8	OUT
226	Aiyanna	Star	Group 8	OUT
357	Nayo	Triangle	Group 8	OUT
446	Tom	Star	Group 6	OUT
106	Jessica	Circle	Group 6	OUT
034	Hannah	Circle	Group 8	OUT
350	Lindsey	Circle	Group 8	OUT
267	Amanda	Circle	Group 8	OUT
435	Catherine	Circle	Group 8	OUT
438	Shelby	Circle	Group 8	OUT
396	Scott	Star	Group 2	OUT
264	Tyler	Triangle	Group 2	OUT
386	MiMi	Triangle	Group 2	OUT
135	Vanessa	Star	Group 2	OUT
136	Carlos	Star	Group 2	OUT
187	Kevin	Star	Group 2	OUT
186	Onur	Circle	Group 2	OUT
433	Alex	Circle	Group 2	OUT
220	Jessi	Circle	Group 1	OUT
352	Radhika	Star	Group 1	OUT
270	Adrian	Umbrella	Group 1	OUT
432	Bryton	Triangle	Group 1	OUT
343	Brianna	Circle	Group 3	OUT
142	Anna	Triangle	Group 3	OUT
188	Sam	Circle	Group 3	OUT
389	Taylor	Circle	Group 3	OUT
452	Mark	Circle	Group 1	OUT
447	Yongjun	Circle	Group 1	OUT
422	Riley	Triangle	Group 1	OUT
041	Jastin	Star	Group 1	OUT
068	Abdulla	Triangle	Group 1	OUT
198	Husnain	Star	OUT

Reception

Viewership

In its release week (November 20–26, 2023), Squid Game: The Challenge was the most-watched show globally on Netflix, with 85.7 million hours. It reached number one in 74 countries that same week, including the US and UK – and was Top 10 in a further 19 countries.

The series stayed at number one globally on Netflix into a second week (November 27 - December 3, 2023), with 11.4 million views and 85 million hours watched. It was Top 10 in TV in 91 different countries that week. The reality competition series also boosted the original drama series Squid Game to number seven on the Non-English TV list with 1.5 million views that week.

Critical response

The show received a mixed reception from critics and audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an approval rating of 45% based on 42 reviews, with an average score of 5.7/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "The Challenge can be an addictive binge thanks to the sheer ingenuity of Squid Games' set pieces, but playing the original series' barbed satire completely straight gives this spinoff a soulless aftertaste." Metacritic gave a weighted average score of 51 out of 100 based on 22 critics reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

Ryan Smith wrote in Newsweek, "Netflix's new spin-off of the thrilling Korean drama not only succeeds but triumphs in bringing to screens one of the most compelling TV competitions of the decade". In the Financial Times, Dan Einav proclaimed the "Netflix megahit becomes an irresistible reality show", while the Radio Times stated that Squid Game: The Challenge "not only lives up to the original, but with the new twists, challenges, and the real-life prize fund at stake, it's even more intense than the hit show". In Vulture, Nicholas Quah said "not only does Squid Game: The Challenge qualify as damn good reality television, it even serves as an unexpectedly effective adaptation of the original K-drama. The game show uses the language of modern reality television to realize, in its own strange way, the themes in Dong-hyuk's parable of capitalism grinding human beings into dust". Quah concluded "Squid Game: The Challenge isn't just a good reality show. It's a morally righteous one". Writing in The Guardian, critic Rebecca Nicholson said, "The real-life version of the Netflix drama is a grandiose, addictive spectacle that will have you shouting at your TV before the end of episode one."

Some critics suggest the unscripted version misses the point of the drama. The Hollywood Reporter called it "a brand extension that fundamentally misunderstands what the brand was meant to represent in the first place", continuing "you can take the anti-capitalism out of Squid Game – but capitalism will always find a way to rear its ugly head". In The Telegraph, Jasper Rees said "the reality remake loses none of the tension or intrigue" of the drama, continuing "I…am agog to discover how ruthless the last dollar-driven survivors can be". Chase Hutchinson for Collider found it "shameless and opportunistic" and concluded "if the corrupt forces of capitalism could be made into a shambling corpse of television, it would look like Squid Game: The Challenge".

See also

• $456,000 Squid Game in Real Life! – MrBeast video

External links

• Squid Game: The Challenge on Netflix
• Squid Game: The Challenge at IMDb
• Squid Game: The Challenge at UKGameshows.com