Netflix’s 10-Part Psychological Thriller That’s Designed To Be Binged Is Cobra Kai Meets Squid Game

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If you enjoyed Cobra Kai and Squid Game, you’ll definitely want to check out Money Heist. While Money Heist was Netflix’s initial breakthrough international series, Squid Game became a massive global hit. The show is a dark and satirical thriller where people facing financial ruin compete in deadly versions of children’s games, all for the entertainment of wealthy viewers who are betting on the outcome.

Though sharply critical of capitalism, Squid Game unexpectedly became a massive hit for Netflix, rivaling the popularity of Stranger Things. The show quickly became one of Netflix’s most important programs, attracting viewers worldwide. While not as globally popular, the martial arts series Cobra Kai – a continuation of The Karate Kid story – also found a dedicated audience and ran for six seasons.

Initially an unexpected continuation of The Karate Kid story, Cobra Kai centers on Johnny Lawrence, the former villain, and surprisingly reveals a more complex side to his character. Like the popular series Squid Game and Cobra Kai, Netflix’s new show Bet (a remake of Kakegurui) blends similar themes into a unique and compelling plot that has the potential to become just as successful.

Bet Blends The Appeal of Cobra Kai and Squid Game

Coming in 2025, Bet is a live-action English remake of the popular manga series Kakegurui, created by Homura Kawamoto. It’s being developed by Simon Barry, known for his work on Warrior Nun and Van Helsing. The show is set at a prestigious boarding school and follows Yumeko, played by Miku Martineau, a new student who gets drawn into a secret, high-stakes gambling world. Students can earn a place on the powerful Student Council by winning, but those who lose end up doing low-level work as “House Pets.”

The main character in Bet isn’t naive; Yumeko is a skilled gambler who intentionally manipulates the school’s system to join the Student Council. Her goal is to get close to the parents of the school’s most influential students, as she suspects one of them was responsible for her parents’ deaths and is determined to uncover the truth. Like the popular Netflix series Weak Hero, Bet is a suspenseful and psychologically driven thriller set in a competitive high school environment, featuring a clever and ethically ambiguous protagonist.

Bet Is A Perfect YA Spin On Squid Game

The series draws clear inspiration from shows like Cobra Kai and Squid Game. Similar to Cobra Kai, it takes a seemingly lighthearted premise—junior martial arts in that show, and gambling in this one—and raises the stakes to life-or-death levels for its young characters. Like Squid Game, the students essentially gamble with their lives in these intense competitions. The show uses this as a metaphor to explore the unhealthy social environment and power dynamics between the extremely wealthy and those trying to get close to them.

If you loved the intensity of Squid Game but aren’t quite ready for all the violence, or just want something a little lighter, you should definitely check out this new show. The teen characters are really well-developed – they remind me of the ones in Cobra Kai, with all their complexities. While it’s not as graphic as Squid Game, the gambling and what’s at stake still create a seriously exciting and suspenseful watch.

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2026-04-30 17:28