Squid Game, Netflix’s South Korean satirical drama, took the world by storm in 2021. Created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the show follows Seong Gi-hun, a single father and gambling addict, as he competes in a brutal death game to pay off his debts. A staple of the East Asian “death game” genre, it became one of Netflix’s biggest hits upon release.
However, Squid Game has also shown remarkable staying power. MrBeast made a heavily-criticized “real life Squid Game” video. Meanwhile, Netflix ordered both a documentary about the show and a “real life Squid Game” reality show of their own. A second season of the show is also in production. However, Netflix has now released details about yet another Squid Game project.
Netflix Reveals American “Squid Game”
An American remake of ‘SQUID GAME’ is reportedly in the works at Netflix.
According to the entertainment industry podcast The Hot Mic, Netflix has ordered an American remake of Squid Game. Additionally David Fincher (Se7en, The Game, Fight Club) has been linked to the project. An American remake of the show has been rumored for some time, as Netflix looks to capitalize off the show’s success for long as possible. However, this is the first major confirmation that the project is going ahead. Questions immediately arose about the project – how different would it be from the original? Would the same satirical tone and exploration of themes such as capitalist exploitation remain? And perhaps most pressingly for the internet, why are you doing?
The news of an American remake was not well-received by the internet. Forbes penned an article called Netflix, Do Not Make American Squid Game while numerous users across social media lambasted the lack of originality. This has been a common reaction in recent years to news that East Asian media successes are being considered for Western remakes. Also reportedly being remade is the Korean zombie sensation, Train To Busan. But Squid Game, which garnered so much success in part due to its novelty for Western audiences, may suffer from a remake. Those who watched the original already know the story and those who weren’t interested aren’t going to be drawn in by an American retelling. However, for the time being, it appears that the show is in the same early stages of development.
As the world’s leading streaming service, Netflix has been a game-changer in the television industry. Since its launch in 1997, the company has revolutionized entertainment consumption. Today, the platform boasts over 200 million subscribers in 190 countries, with a vast catalog of movies, TV shows, and original content. The impact of Netflix on the television industry is undeniable, changing how we watch TV forever. We’ll explore how Netflix has influenced the future of television. From the rise of streaming services to the decline of traditional TV networks, we’ll examine the effects of Netflix on the industry.
The Rise of Streaming Services
PARIS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 02: Netflix logo is displayed during the ‘Paris Games Week’ on November 02, 2017 in Paris, France. Netflix is an American company offering streaming movies and TV series on the Internet. ‘Paris Games Week’ is an international trade fair for video games and runs from November 01 to November 5, 2017. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images)
Netflix’s success has paved the way for the rise of streaming services. Before its launch, traditional television networks controlled the distribution of TV shows. Networks had complete control over what was aired, when, and who could watch it. However, the emergence of Netflix disrupted this model.
With its on-demand streaming service, Netflix put viewers in control. Viewers no longer had to wait for their favorite shows to air on TV; instead, they could watch their favorites whenever they wanted. This shift in control marked a turning point in the industry, and it wasn’t long before other streaming services like Prime Video and Hulu followed suit.
Streaming services have become the norm today, and it’s not hard to see why. Viewers no longer have to worry about missing an episode of their favorite show or being tied to a specific TV schedule. The rise of streaming services has been a direct result of the success of Netflix.
As viewers continue to shift towards on-demand streaming, TV networks have struggled to keep up. With more people ditching traditional cable TV in favor of streaming services, traditional TV networks have seen a decline in viewership. This drop has led to a shift in the TV industry, with networks forced to adapt to the changing landscape. Many networks have launched their own streaming services, like NBC’s Peacock and CBS All Access. However, these services have struggled to compete with established players like Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu.
Television networks have also struggled to attract advertisers. With fewer people watching TV, advertisers have shifted their focus to digital platforms like Facebook and Google. This has led to declining ad revenue for TV networks, further exacerbating their financial troubles.
One of the critical factors behind Netflix’s success has been its investment in original content. In recent years, the company has shifted its focus toward producing its own shows and movies. This has allowed Netflix to differentiate itself from competitors and attract new subscribers.
The success of Netflix’s original content has been staggering. Shows like Stranger Things, The Crown, and Narcos have become cultural phenomena, attracting millions of viewers and earning critical acclaim. Netflix’s original content investment has also helped bolster the careers of up-and-coming filmmakers and actors.
The Impact on the Entertainment Industry
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 07: The Netflix logo is displayed at Netflix’s Los Angeles headquarters (TOP) on October 07, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. The IATSE union which represents Hollywood’s film and television production crews voted to authorize a strike, calling for better working conditions and higher pay amid a surge in streaming demand. Negotiations are ongoing but a strike may be imminent. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Between YouTube’s churning out of great online content that anyone could watch anywhere and the genesis of Netflix, TV as we knew it was in trouble. Why pay for cable when you can buy Netflix and watch your favorite shows anywhere? Original programming has also allowed Netflix to diversify its content offerings, creating shows and movies that cater to specific audiences.
For example, Stranger Things and The Witcher have become immensely popular among sci-fi and fantasy fans, while shows like Orange is the New Black and Dear White People have tackled important social issues. By providing a platform for niche programming, Netflix has not only attracted a wider range of viewers but also opened up opportunities for new voices and perspectives in the industry.
The impact of Netflix on the television industry has led to increased competition. There is an emphasis on quality content as networks strive to keep up with the high standards set by the platform. The rise of streaming has also affected how shows are produced and released. Many opt for the binge-watch model instead of weekly episodes.
One of the challenges that Netflix faces as it continues to grow is the cost of producing original content. While the company has succeeded with its shows and movies, it has also faced criticism for canceling fan favorites after only a few seasons. The decision to cancel a show is often based on the cost-benefit analysis, as Netflix looks at factors such as viewership and production costs to determine if a show is worth continuing. However, this has frustrated fans who feel invested in the characters and storylines.
The Challenge For Netflix
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 19: In this photo illustration the Netflix logo is reflected in the eye of a woman on September 19, 2014 in Paris, France. Netflix September 15 launched service in France, the first of six European countries planned in the coming months. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Another challenge for Netflix is navigating the regulatory landscape, particularly as it expands into international markets. The company has faced criticism and legal challenges in countries such as India and Indonesia, where there are strict rules around content that are considered offensive or blasphemous. This has led to Netflix self-censoring certain shows and movies in these markets, which has drawn criticism from some viewers and activists who argue that it goes against the company’s commitment to creative freedom.
Despite these challenges, the future looks bright for Netflix and the streaming industry. With the pandemic accelerating the shift toward online entertainment, it is clear that streaming services are here to stay. As more people cut the cord and move away from traditional TV, companies like Netflix will continue to play an essential role in shaping the future of television.
Since 2016, Stranger Things has been one of the hottest things on TV. The science fiction show about a town in Indiana that becomes plagued by monsters and mysteries has a rabid fanbase and avid following. The show’s young stars, including Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard, have become sensations in their own right. Brown especially has found herself in the media and tabloid spotlight for a variety of reasons.
However, Stranger Things is coming to an end. Season 5, which is due to begin filming later this year, will bring the show’s near-decade run to an end. After a fair amount of globe-trotting in recent seasons, the show will once again focus on Hawkins, Indiana. The Duffer Brothers, the creative team behind the smash hit, have confirmed that while the main show will end, it is not the end of the show’s story.
Animated Spin-Off Latest Addition To “Stranger Things” Slate
Announced Monday, an animated Stranger Things spin-off has been ordered by Netflix. Rumors of anime-inspired or animated Stranger Things show have been floated for several years. Little is known about the show, which will be run by Eric Robles and executive produced by The Duffers. Robles is a former character designer who has worked on shows such as Skunk Fu, Fanboy & Chum Chum, and Glitch Techs. It is not clear if this project is related to the long-rumored Stranger Things: Tokyo show concept. However, it is more than likely going to focus on a new group of characters, be it in Hawkins or elsewhere. Despite the lack of details, an animated project is something the Duffer Brothers have always wanted. “”We’ve always dreamed of an animated Stranger Things in the vein of the Saturday morning cartoons that we grew up loving,” the brothers told Variety.
An animated show is just the latest in a long line of spin-offs for the Netflix Stranger Things brand. The expanding world of Stranger Things also includes a rumored live-action spin-off, as well as a West End stage production. As for the Duffer Brothers themselves, they have been attached to several Netflix projects away from Stranger Things. The brothers will reportedly lead a live-action Death Note series, as well as an adaptation of Stephen King’s The Talisman. However, it’s safe to say that the Stranger Things brand isn’t going away anytime soon.
Beef, the latest limited series from Netflix, presents a deceptively simple premise. After a road rage incident, two individuals set out to ruin each other’s lives. Created by former It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia staff writer Lee Sung Jin, Beef stars Stephen Yeun (The Walking Dead, Nope) and Ali Wong (Always Be My Maybe, Tuca & Bertie).
However, Beef goes beyond its simple premise to become an intimate and petty look at the lengths people go to in order to feel alive. Yuen’s Danny is a handyman with no self-awareness of his patronizing view of the world. Meanwhile, Wong’s Amy is trapped in a suburban hell she pretends is her ultimate goal in life. A chance meeting in a hardware store parking lot becomes a road rage chase through the suburbs. That incident becomes the spark for the two to engage in an increasingly dramatic war of words and actions. But as much as the two of them despite each other, the havoc they can wreak on each other is the only thing giving their lives meaning.
“Beef” Is Certified Fresh And Widely Praised
“BEEF” has debuted with a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes after 26 reviews.
Debuting on April 6, Beef quickly garnered the rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. At the time of writing, the show holds a 99% critics rating and a 96% audience rating. It continues a strong showing for Netflix in the TV department, with YA fantasy Shadow & Bone‘s second season currently holding an 83% rating. Furthermore, Beef‘s strong debut also allows Netflix to keep pace with the hits of its competitors such as Apple TV (Ted Lasso Season 3 – 93%), Paramount+ (Rabbit Hole – 77%), and HBO (Succession Season 4 – 97%).
Critics have praised Beef‘s encapsulation of modern rage, especially in “an era that sells us on the ease of being able to have anything we want, only countered by our frustration at being unable to.” (Gayle Sequeira, Film Companion). Additionally, the show never fails to embrace comedy at the right moments, with Joey Moser of Awards Daily noting that “Beef will stick out its tongue as it gives you the finger.” Overall, the show is a visceral, petty masterclass of societal critique and can’t-look-away revenge television.
Lopez looks capable of doing much more than that in the official posters for The Mother, her forthcoming Netflix film. The photos were shot by Annie Leibovitz.
“Happy Monday!!! Here are the new posters for my upcoming film THE MOTHER. Only on @NetflixMay 12. (PS trailer drops tomorrow!!!!),” Lopez tweeted today, April 10.
Directed by Niki Caro, The Mother‘s official teaser dropped last September. “A deadly female assassin comes out of hiding to protect the daughter that she gave up years before, while on the run from dangerous men,” the description teases.
The intense one-minute clip finds Lopez training in the snowy woods, driving with reckless abandon down a crowded street, and shooting guns. “You saw what was out there,” she says, presumably to her on-screen daughter. “It’s gonna keep coming. If there’s trouble, come find me.”
The Mother also stars Joseph Fiennes, Lucy Paez, Omari Hardwick, Paul Raci, and Gael Garcia Bernal and will stream on Netflix beginning on 5/12.
Though she spent several years out of the spotlight after being cancelled among some of Hollywood’s most elite, Mo’Nique is back in a big way. Her most recent work comes in the form of a Netflix comedy special called My Name Is Mo’Nique, in which she chiefly comes out as a bisexual woman. According to the Precious actress, she spent many of her younger years ashamed of the fantasies she had and even avoided speaking to her family about such thoughts out of fear. Her grandmother, MiMi, apparently “could not come to grips that she had a gay daughter” of her own, causing “confusion” for the young girl at the time.
“And I felt cowardly when my grandmother left because I couldn’t tell my grandmother who her granddaughter really was,” the 55-year-old told the audience while breaking down in tears. “I adored how she adored me,” Mo’Nique added, recalling fond memories of MiMi’s affectionate nature. “I couldn’t tell my grandmother my secret thoughts and my fantasies ’cause I… Did not want her to leave this earth thinking she was a failure. Because had I told her my secret thoughts, she would have left thinking she had failed,” she later said.
Comedian Gets Vulnerable During My Name Is Mo’Nique Special
In a shocking revelation, Mo’Nique then admitted her bisexuality to the audience, noting that she’s “not all the way” lesbian. The Maryland native noted that she was never able to admit her truth to MiMi, as she found it incredibly difficult to confess her desires “out loud.” The embattled entertained continued, “Do you know how hard it is to keep a secret? Secrets cause cancer. When you’re born with that, there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it. Nothing. And please understand I tried.”
During her Netflix special, she recalled sleeping with “as many men as she could” to avoid any speculation of “something [being] wrong” with her. “I promised that I would never tell anyone, that I would take that to my grave. Because I saw how they treated the people in my family with that ‘disease.’ Because they made us believe it was a ‘disease,’ right?” Thankfully, Mo’Nique eventually found a confidant in her husband, Sidney Hicks. “‘I want to be with another woman sexually,’” she reportedly told him. “He looked at me so beautifully and so patient and so loving and said, ‘Bitch, me too,’” the starlet quipped. Check out the show’s full trailer below, and tap back in later for more pop culture news updates.
One of the most popular series to watch right now is The Night Agent. The uber-popular Netflix series has been renewed for season 2 at Netflix.
According to Variety, The Night Agent has already logged 168.71 million hours viewed, pushing the series up the streamer’s top 10 charts.
“The last week has been a whirlwind as we’ve finally been able to share ‘The Night Agent’ with the world,” said series creator Shawn Ryan. “To see the tremendous reaction to the show has been a great joy and is a credit to our cast, our writers, our directors, our crew and our partners at Sony Pictures Television and Netflix. We couldn’t be any prouder or more excited to get cracking on Season 2 to share the further adventures of Night Action with our newfound fans.”
The series is based on a novel of the same name and depicts a low level FBI Agent who works in the basement of the White House, manning a phone that never rings — until the night that it does, propelling him into a fast moving and dangerous conspiracy that ultimately leads all the way to the Oval Office.” The second season will have 10 episodes.
It has been reported Ludacris’ Karma’s World Entertainment company has inked a new licensing deal. The media company has teamed up with two Black-owned haircare businesses, landing them their first-ever licensing deal. Ludacris’ mission-oriented media company Karma’s World Entertainment and its production company, 9 Story Media Group have struck licensing deals with two Black haircare […]
