For numerous viewers, *Squid Game* Season 3 fell short of expectations. Whether it was the slower pace of the final season, some peculiar character developments, or simply the sensation that the novelty of Netflix’s greatest hit had diminished, many fans felt unsatisfied.
If you find yourself among them, there’s some positive news: Netflix features a Japanese survival thriller that I genuinely believe could satisfy the need that *Squid Game* may have missed for you. The show is *Alice in Borderland*, and its narrative similarly revolves around intense games, challenges to the characters’ ethics, and the eerie feeling that no one is ever truly safe. Like *Squid Game*, it plunges regular individuals into extraordinary and lethal situations, compelling them to fight for their lives — facing dilemmas of do-or-die decisions along the way.
The series, which holds a 91% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, starts with Arisu, a directionless gamer and slacker, who is abruptly transported to an empty, alternate reality of Tokyo. He is soon compelled to take part in a series of sadistic games, each identified by a playing card that signifies its level of difficulty and theme (participants encounter everything from logic challenges to physical trials and psychological distress). Losing results in death, while victory grants players “visa” days to prolong their survival. Failing to join a new game before your visa ends, and I’m sure you can predict what happens to your longevity.
Visually, these two extremely dark Netflix series share a contrasting, cinematic aesthetic that’s both surreal and harsh. *Alice in Borderland* inclines more towards sci-fi than *Squid Game*, with Tokyo effectively transforming into a nightmarish game board — every abandoned structure or alley a potential trap. The action is meticulously choreographed, the suspense rarely eases, and the world-building deepens significantly in Season 2.
I should mention: There’s no better time than now to catch up on the series. Netflix has announced that Season 3 of *Alice in Borderland* is set to premiere this September — so whether you’re exploring it for the first time or revisiting the madness, there’s still an opportunity to engage before the story progresses. If you’re yearning for another dose of stylish survival drama, and you’re still a bit disappointed that *Squid Game* didn’t conclude as strongly as you may have hoped, prioritize *Alice in Borderland* on your watchlist immediately.
