Netflix's Epic Battle Royale Shows Encounter an Unexpected Obstacle

Summary

Squid Game and Alice in Borderland are both getting new seasons, but they face the challenge of living up to the success of their first installments.

Squid Game Season 2 aims to sustain the excitement and suspense of its predecessor while incorporating fresh characters and narratives.

For Alice in Borderland Season 3, a completely original storyline, it is crucial to strike a harmonious balance between escalating the tension and honoring the essence of the previous seasons. The focus should lie on captivating storytelling rather than introducing new games.

The returns of Squid Game and Alice in Borderland have been major news for Netflix. However, both of these Korean battle royale series have room for improvement in order to impress audiences. Specifically, they both face a major hurdle to overcome. Squid Game took the streaming platform by storm in 2021 with its astonishing premise, following a group of marginalized individuals who participate in deadly games for a chance to win life-changing sums of money. Meanwhile, Alice in Borderland, released in 2020, achieved similar popularity as it narrated the story of a gamer and his companions trapped in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, where they must succeed in perilous games to stay alive.

It is not uncommon for Netflix's series to spawn sequels, spinoffs, and even entire franchises. While the platform is notorious for canceling well-received shows after just one season, many of its other properties enjoy great success and continue for multiple seasons. However, as a series progresses, the stakes and responsibilities increase. Television shows that initially excelled are expected to maintain their standard in each subsequent season. If disappointment outweighs enjoyment, a series is equally prone to cancellation. The pressure is particularly intense for highly popular series, which is precisely where these two battle royales face their underlying challenge.

Squid Game Season 2 & Alice In Borderland Season 3 Are Both Happening

First and foremost, there are exciting developments for both Squid Game season 2 and Alice in Borderland season 3. While the renewal for Squid Game season 2 was announced in June 2022, production for the second installment has experienced some delays. However, series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk recently shared that filming is scheduled to commence in July 2023 and is expected to span approximately 10 months. This suggests that Squid Game season 2 is unlikely to be released until late 2024 at the earliest. Additionally, the cast for Squid Game season 2 has expanded with new members, although their storylines remain undisclosed.

Squid Game & Alice In Borderland Will Both Struggle To Recapture The Original’s Magic

Alice in Borderland season 3 has also been confirmed, but it is still quite a while away. In September 2023, Netflix made an announcement stating that the series has been renewed for a third season. Although there is no release date yet, it has been confirmed that actors Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya will be reprising their roles in the upcoming installment. Apart from what can be speculated based on the finale of season 2, very little information is currently available about Alice in Borderland season 3. Considering that the announcement of season 3 was relatively recent, it is likely that Alice in Borderland will not be back until 2025.

Both Squid Game and Alice in Borderland face a major challenge in their attempt to replicate the enchantment of their previous seasons. In the case of Squid Game, the second season is bound to face difficulties. Shows with exceptionally successful first seasons are always under immense pressure to match the brilliance of the initial installment. However, it is important to acknowledge that subsequent seasons will inevitably bring changes. As a result, recreating the magic of Squid Game season 1 is an impossible feat. Instead, the series must strive to maintain the excitement and mystery of the first season, while introducing new characters and storylines that expand the narrative rather than rehashing familiar territory.

Although Alice in Borderland has successfully navigated through the obstacles of its second season, it now faces a completely different challenge. The ending of Alice in Borderland season 2 followed the storyline of the manga on which the series is based. As a result, season 3 will introduce an entirely original narrative, deviating from the source material. This poses yet another hurdle for the show, as it must find a way to maintain the same level of intensity and excitement while also staying true to the foundation set by previous seasons.

Squid Game & Alice In Borderland Must Have More Than Just “New Games”

Both Squid Game and Alice and Borderland face another challenge: simply adding new games won't suffice. Despite the battle royale nature of these shows, incorporating fresh challenges and games alone won't be adequate to elevate the new seasons to greatness. In actuality, the shows need to place a greater emphasis on character development and new storylines rather than just the games. The battle royale element acts more like a safety net for these shows, while the real risk and reward lie within the overarching narrative. Therefore, Squid Game and Alice in Borderland must prioritize captivating storytelling over introducing new games.