What age rating is Squid Game?

As a seasoned movie critic with a background in psychology and a knack for navigating the grimier corners of entertainment, I must say that Squid Game is not for the faint-hearted or the easily disturbed. This South Korean thriller, with its vibrant color palette and playground game motifs, hides a brutal underbelly that has captivated audiences worldwide.

While Squid Game might remind you of colorful preschools and playground activities due to its pastel hues and warped challenges, please be aware that its content may not be appropriate for everyone.

Instead, the South Korean thriller is filled with harrowing sequences, intense violence, and heartrending narratives, contributing significantly to its global acclaim among enthusiasts who appreciate intense action and deep emotional storytelling.

For those who loved the initial series, there’s no reason to fret about a less intense second season. In fact, the creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, hints at even more lethal contests as the character Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) returns to the Squid Game competition, this time with a desire for revenge against his oppressors.

The teaser trailer hints at the comeback of the ominous Red Light, Green Light robot doll, suggesting that numerous other characters may meet an untimely end in a brutal first round, reminiscent of a violent game.

How might the violent and disturbing visuals in Squid Game influence its TV-MA rating? Let’s delve into why this Netflix show is so terrifying and graphic.

Squid Game age rating

In the United Kingdom, the British Board of Film Classification gave the first season of Squid Game a 15 rating due to explicit content containing sexual references, graphic depictions of harm, crude humor, adult themes such as sex and suicide, suggestive imagery, and intense violence.

Beware, the friendly-looking doll commonly found on the Squid Game poster on Netflix doesn’t reflect the series’ content. Squid Game is definitely not meant for those who are still participating in children’s games such as hopscotch or marbles, as the program itself contains mature and intense themes similar to those games.

As a moviegoer, I’d like to clarify the difference between a 12a and a 15 rating. Unlike the 12a classification, which permits children when accompanied by an adult, the 15 rating indicates that the content is intended for viewers aged 15 and above, without any exceptions made for accompanying adults.

As I type this, the BBFC rating for Season 2 is still undecided, but given the intensity of the series remains unwavering, it’s quite probable that it will equal or surpass the rating of the first season.

It’s not unexpected given the many deaths that take place throughout the series, often involving gruesome reinterpretations of childhood games with a focus on intense violence and at times, brutality.

In my opinion, the captivating series I’ve been watching bears striking resemblances to other battle-to-the-end movies like The Hunger Games. Yet, what sets Squid Game apart is its raw and intense violence, making it a more mature and adult-oriented experience compared to the beloved Jennifer Lawrence films.

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Additionally, there’s an abundance of explicit language, scenes involving substance use (alcohol and smoking), and a mature sexual content. Consequently, the 15-rating seems fitting, even with the intermittent themes of morality amidst the violence.

To protect your child from mature content on Netflix, see our guide to Netflix parental controls.

Is Squid Game gory?

If gory TV series don’t quite appeal to your sensibilities, then Squid Game might not be the right fit for you.

In the United Kingdom, the popular Netflix series carries a 15 rating due to its ample depiction of violence, as the competitors who lose at any point during the mandatory children’s games are instantly eliminated and often shown with visible injuries or blood.

In most cases, the fatalities are due to gunshots, keeping gory sights of human insides or distressing wounds at a minimum. The camera swiftly moves away from such scenes without dwelling on them extensively.

Although the show isn’t as graphically violent as movies such as Saw or TV series like The Walking Dead and American Horror Story, it does contain some disturbingly grim scenes, especially during the season 1 finale.

Is Squid Game scary?

If you’re not a fan of intense violence but are worried about traditional scary jumps, you’ll find comfort in knowing that Squid Game doesn’t rely on jump scares for its horror.

Rather than being a conventional horror spectacle, Squid Game leans more towards a profound exploration of human psychology, consistently building an atmosphere of suspense and apprehension. This approach allows viewers to connect with the characters on an emotional level before tragic events unfold across the nine episodes of the series.

In Squid Game, deaths often happen unexpectedly, particularly during the Red Light, Green Light game of the first episode. However, what truly gives the series its eerie quality is its Battle Royale-like premise and the pervasive social commentary about class and wealth it subtly conveys.

2024-12-24 17:35

Squid Game age rating

Is Squid Game gory?

Is Squid Game scary?

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