Viewers spark debate after claiming Netflix thriller series is ‘superior’ to Squid Game

Netflix viewers are involved in a heated debate online over whether a particular thriller is actually better than Squid Game.

While fans of the iconic South Korean series impatiently wait for the second season's release, some have trawled Netflix for other gripping game dramas and believe they've found one to rival Hwang Dong-hyuk's survival thriller.

May the games begin.

Squid Game was first released back in 2021 and was an instant hit.

It became Netflix's most-watched series at the time and actors including Lee Jung-jae - who played main protagonist Seong Gi-hun - and HoYeon Jung (Kang Sae-byeok) won awards for their captivating performances.

However, there's a lesser-known show also available to watch on the streaming service which many are arguing not only rivals Squid Game but is actually far 'superior'.

It's called Alice in Borderland was first released by Netflix back in December 2020.

You mean there's a 'superior' series to Squid Game? (Netflix)

The Japanese sci-fi thriller is based on the manga by Haro Aso and was directed by Shinsuke Sato.

It centres around the story of a gamer and his two friends finding themselves in an alternate version of Tokyo, Japan and - similarly to Squid Game - they're forced to compete in a series of games in a bid to survive.

Alice in Borderland stars L DK's Kento Yamazaki, Rurouni Kenshin's Tao Tsuchiya and Nijirō Murakami - best known for Still the Water.

The series currently comprises of two seasons, however, was renewed for a third in September 2023.

And it's not taken long for fans of Squid Game to have discovered it and taken to social media to compare the two survival game series.

One user took to Reddit thread r/AliceInBorderlandLive to write: "Alice in Borderland vs Squid Game. I just don’t get it Alice in Borderland is 10 times better than Squid Game (plot, actors, the world etc..), yet Squid Game has better views / money making... strange world we live in."

Alice in Borderland to Squid Game. (Netflix)

"Alice in Borderland is definitely superior to Squid Game!" another user said on thread r/NetflixBestOf.

Someone else added: "For me, it feels like Squid Game could happen to anyone whereas AIB is fantasy. I liked them both equally but Squid Game scares me more for that factor. I also think that AIB owes a lot of its audience to Squid Game. Myself, and many others, only found out about AIB after watching SG and looking gif similar programmes."

Although, one user resolved: "I love both. AiB is more fantasy, Squid Game is a social commentary. Two very different and enjoyable stories. Not sure why everything has to be a competition."

So, what do you think?

Topics: Film and TV, Netflix, Reddit, Social Media, Squid Game

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.