Netflix’s Squid Game Replacement Adds A Horror Twist To The Game Show Genre

Summary The 8 Show premieres on May 17, 2024, offering a creepy twist on reality TV with a focus on money accumulation within a secret space.

The series, based on webtoons Money Game and Pie Game, features contestants who must complete tasks while being constantly watched.

Unlike Squid Game, The 8 Show is more focused on character relationships and may bring a slower fear factor with a reality show dynamic.

In May 2024, Netflix is releasing a new Korean thriller called The 8 Show, a series with striking similarities to 2021's hit show, Squid Game, but with an even scarier twist. The 8 Show is a thriller dark comedy out of South Korea that follows eight people who agree to be a part of a reality show in which they are locked into a secret space with eight floors, and the longer they stay, the more money they accumulate. The series is based on the webtoons Money Game and Pie Game, by Bae Jin-soo. It premieres May 17, 2024.

All the way back in 2021, Netflix took audiences by storm with a similar type of show as The 8 Show, a Korean thriller series called Squid Game. In Squid Game, a down-on-his-luck man and hundreds of other broke individuals enter a contest to play children's games for cash, however, they quickly realize the stakes are much higher than anticipated. Although Korean television series have long been a niche among American audiences, Squid Game gave Korean content a serious boost. The second season of Squid Game is highly anticipated, but for now, The 8 Show is the perfect replacement.

Netflix’s The 8 Show Is Squid Game Meets Reality TV

The 8 Show adds a new reality TV component

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What makes The 8 Show such an exciting addition to Netflix's roster is that it is just like Squid Game, but with an exciting twist. Like Squid Game, the contestants in The 8 Show have joined the game in order to win huge amounts of money. Though they may not be as cash-strapped as Seong Gi-hun, they certainly have their reasons for being contestants. And although The 8 Show doesn't appear to be as lethal as Squid Game, the trailer insinuates that this game will have its moments of fear and violence, alongside the fun socializing aspects.

The one stark difference The 8 Show makes between itself and Squid Game is the reality TV portion.

Where Squid Game had its contestants completely isolated in an unknown location, the characters in The 8 Show are physically alone but constantly being watched, and not just by the gamemakers, but by a presumed audience as well. This adds a completely new dynamic from Squid Game wherein the characters are not just trying to win, but will likely want to perform for their viewers. It also increases the stress, as they will constantly have strangers' eyes on them.

How The 8 Show’s Premise Is Different From Squid Game

The 8 Show is a reality show rather than a game show

As much as The 8 Show and Squid Game are similar, there are also distinct differences between the two shows. As previously mentioned, The 8 Show is a reality show, whereas Squid Game was a private and isolated game contest. Furthermore, the potential games that The 8 Show includes are vastly different from the iconic children's games that the cast of Squid Game play. Rather than having a focus on games, The 8 Show seems to be more focused on its characters and their relationships with others. However, it does seem like they must complete tasks to win money.

Aside from the basic premise, The 8 Show seems different from Squid Game in terms of tone and characters. Whereas Squid Game's most horrifying aspects were the games and the violence that came with them, The 8 Show seems like it has a much more subtle approach. The characters will not be horrified by the prospect of dying, but their isolation and lack of understanding about their circumstances will likely lead to a slow creeping fear. Additionally, it seems as though The 8 Show will focus on each of its characters equally, whereas Squid Game's ensemble was not as important.

Will The 8 Show Be As Good As Squid Game?

The 8 Show has the potential to be great

It is unclear whether The 8 Show will have the same effect as Squid Game. Considering how wildly Squid Game blew up in 2021, it seems unlikely. The 8 Show may get popular, but it likely won't see the same intense reaction as Squid Game. However, that does not mean that The 8 Show won't be good. In fact, The 8 Show may be a perfect rival to Squid Game. It will bring a similar premise, while also having a much creepier and slower fear factor, and perhaps, punchier storylines.

Overall, it is hard to predict how a series will do when it finally releases to the public. However, because of its commonalities with Squid Game, and its distinct differences, The 8 Show has a good chance of being a Netflix hit. Moreover, it will be a perfect series to watch while audiences to continue to wait for the long-awaited Squid Game season 2.

Squid Game season 2 is expected to release during the second half of 2024.