Squid Game; Smoke

“Action-heavy, packed with twists – and the occasional sprinkling of Hollywood stardust – it’s a well-intentioned and on-the-whole successful conclusion to a brutal South Korean blockbuster that has captured the world’s imagination. Fans will be generally satisfied, even allowing for several well-signposted ‘shocks’ yanked like a reluctant rabbit from a blood-drenched hat.”
Ed Power, The Telegraph

“I am happy to report this: after three seasons and more shootings, stabbings and more falls from a great height than you can shake a squid at, this series was worth watching to the very end.”
Tim Glanfield, The Times

“The final two episodes have a nicely grand and operatic feel to them, and ultimately, Squid Game does its job. But it leaves the impression, too, that it has become a more traditional action-thriller than it once was. As to where it will go next, all bets are off.”
Rebecca Nicholson, The Guardian

“Part of what made Squid Game’s first incarnation so riveting was its unflinching gaze at the darkest parts of ourselves. In season three, the plot has lost some of that nerve, reaching for redemption that feels slapdash and therefore, sometimes, hollow. If you can forgive such muddled character motivations, there’s more than enough gripping action to compensate.”
Emily Watkins, The i

“Smoke becomes a cat and mouse game, with the opposing sides circling each other in ways that become increasingly extreme, but never quite tip over into preposterous. It is hugely entertaining, though it is a shame that the main story slightly swamps Freddy’s and gives Mwine less to do as time goes on.”
Lucy Mangan, The Guardian