“Squid Game”: The apogee of cruelty or a Gospel warning?
The series is known for its violent and bloody content. Players have to fight for their lives by participating in children’s games. Violence and aggression, even in the context of fictional events, can be perceived as the norm.
In the autumn of 2021, the Squid Game series, a South Korean dramatic thriller, shook global culture, becoming the most discussed Netflix project in the platform’s history.
At the end of December 2024, the highly anticipated second season continued to explore themes of social inequality and moral choice but in a new context. A wave of imitations, reality shows, and games inspired by the original has flooded the entertainment market.
What lies behind the green tracksuits and creepy masks with geometric shapes? Why have millions of viewers around the world been so deeply moved by the story of 456 desperate people willing to risk their lives for money?
At the heart of the narrative is Seong Gi-hun, a man crushed by debts and life’s circumstances. Like hundreds of other participants in the deadly game, he receives a mysterious invitation promising a fantastic cash prize – 456 million won (approximately 38 million US dollars). The price? Just his life.
Why does the series resonate so deeply with the modern audience? The answer is simple and horrifying at the same time: it shows us ourselves.
In a world where social stratification has reached unprecedented levels, debt slavery has become the norm, and survival has turned into a daily struggle for millions of people, “Squid Game” is not fantasy but a metaphor.
Behind the colourful settings and memorable visuals lies a ruthless analysis of a capitalist system where human life has a price, and moral principles are a luxury only a few can afford.
Teenagers at the centre of the “Squid Game” phenomenon
Particularly alarming is the show’s phenomenal popularity among teenagers. Despite the 18+ rating, “Squid Game” has become a true cultural phenomenon in schools worldwide. TikToks, cosplays, and memes are just the tip of the iceberg.
What happens when an unformed psyche encounters such brutal content? On one hand, it is a shock, anxiety, and the risk of desensitisation to violence. On the other, it’s an opportunity for deep reflection on the value of life, friendship, and moral choices.
The series features a lot of violence, which is not just a backdrop but a central element of the entire story. People kill each other for money, betray friends, and commit horrific acts to survive. While adult viewers may perceive this as part of the artistic concept, teenagers – particularly impressionable ones – may start to see violence as more normal than it truly is.
Handled correctly, the series can provoke profound reflection, but without guidance, it can lead to negative consequences, including imitating dangerous scenarios.
“Squid Game” raises questions of social injustice, poverty, the pursuit of wealth, and class inequality. The characters find themselves in desperate situations due to debt and financial hardship. For teenagers forming their worldview, these aspects can be educational and psychologically challenging. If they take these themes too dramatically or fail to critically understand what’s happening, they may develop distorted views on life and societal issues.
The popularity of “Squid Game” has led to teenagers imitating show games in real life. For example, schoolchildren have begun playing “Squid Game” on the streets, endangering their safety. All around the world, children have started playing simplified versions of the deadly games from the series. In some cases, this has led to bullying and even physical violence against the losers. Of course, this does not mean the show itself is to blame, but it certainly sparked such situations. The facts show that teenagers can be influenced by mass culture and try to transfer fictional scenarios into real life.
People can manipulate others to achieve their personal goals. For teenagers who are just beginning to understand social interactions and their role in society, the film illustrates how important it is to be aware of power and manipulation from those around them.
Understanding psychological games and manipulations in real life becomes critically important for developing healthy social skills.
Although the series portrays brutal situations, it also prompts viewers to reflect on philosophical questions such as justice, choice, and sacrifice. What is the value of a human life? What moral compromises are the characters willing to make to survive?
Why is this series so appealing to teenagers?
Teenagers love stories about struggle, overcoming obstacles and trials in which the heroes prove their strength. “Squid Game” offers all of this in a vivid, intense form. These are not just random challenges – each one is based on real children’s games but with brutal consequences. This creates a feeling of “something familiar yet terrifying”.
Furthermore, the series is full of dramatic moments where characters face moral dilemmas. This captivates viewers and makes them ponder: What would I do in such a situation? Who can be trusted in difficult times?
“Squid Game” shows how poverty and debt can drive a person into a desperate situation.
The characters are ordinary people who are desperately trying to find a way out of financial ruin. Teenagers, especially those who have never considered such things, may realise for the first time how vastly different life can be for various people and how important it is to live in a society that offers support, not just a “struggle for survival”.
In the series, the heroes face dilemmas: friendship or survival? Honesty or betrayal? These questions are universal and relevant at any age. The show may encourage viewers to think about how important it is to remain human even in the most challenging circumstances.
Different people react differently under stress. Some unite, some betray, and some preserve their humanity until the end.
It’s a good reason to reflect on how one reacts to difficulties, and what’s more important – survival at any cost or actions one can be proud of.
The series can provide food for thought and even teach something important. But if a teenager is too impressionable or not ready to process what they've seen, the show can have a negative impact. It’s crucial to remember that the series is fiction, not a reflection of real life, and to watch it not alone but with someone who can help discuss the complex moments.
“Squid Game” is definitely not a children’s series, but if approached consciously, it can be a reason to discuss serious topics.
If one does not dwell on the negative, “Squid Game” does have positive aspects. It prompts viewers to think about how the world is structured, how unfair circumstances can be, and how far people can go to survive.
Through the lens of faith
It is interesting to look at “Squid Game” through the lens of traditional values. From a Christian perspective, the series can be seen as a complex and multilayered object for analysis. It touches on the themes of morality, fear, sacrifice, religious fanaticism, social injustice, and human nature.
“Squid Game” is more than entertainment. It is a cultural phenomenon that has exposed painful questions about modern society. The series mercilessly demonstrates how the system turns people into commodities, how desperation drives them to commit crimes against themselves and others, and how humanity itself becomes a bargaining chip in the ruthless struggle for survival.
We see greed, the desire for wealth, and desperate attempts to survive at all costs. The characters who sacrifice morality to survive demonstrate how far a person can go when they lose their spiritual compass.
The violence and cruelty permeating the series contradict the commandments about loving one’s neighbour. However, the show also illustrates how material temptations and fear can corrupt the human soul, reaffirming the Gospel warning: “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”
