In the Netflix show Squid Game: The Challenge, the contestants don’t die. But the psychological pressure is enormous. This is shown in a gruesome scene in episode 2
456 people fight for 4.56 million US dollars. Only one can win. The rest die and with each death the jackpot increases. With its brutality and sharp criticism of capitalism, the South Korean series Squid Game was a mega-success. To this day, Hwang Dong-hyuk’s creation is the most-watched Netflix content. Two years after the series, the streaming service is making the most of its hit – with the reality version Squid Game: The Challenge.
What is Squid Game: The Challenge? In the show, 456 real contestants also compete for prize money of 4.56 million US dollars. The streaming service recreated the sets from the series in great detail. The contestants have to complete the same children’s games as the characters in Squid Game – and a few more, such as sinking ships. But of course nobody dies in the show
Candidate almost breaks down on Squid Game: The Challenge – and struggles with his stomach
The competition still puts a lot of stress on the contestants, as was particularly evident in the game “Dalgona” in episode 2. In a sequence that was off-putting in many ways, contestant Spencer Hawkins (player 299) almost collapsed under the pressure of the group and the dynamics of the game
(Spencer Hawkins in Squid Game: The Challenge)
In Dalgona, participants have to prick a sugar cookie out of a mold with a needle. If the cookie breaks within the specified limits, the test is deemed to have been failed. The more complex the shape, the more difficult the task. As in the show, there are circles, triangles, stars and umbrellas. Of course, nobody wants the umbrella. Four contestants have to agree before the game who will be assigned which shape – representing the groups assigned to them. The candidates therefore carry the fate of their fellow contestants on their shoulders.
If they do not reach an agreement within 2 minutes, all four people are eliminated and the next four representatives must find a fair solution where there is no fair solution
More: When is Squid Game season 2 coming?
More: All broadcast dates of Squid Game: The Challenge
Which person is “weak” enough to submit to the umbrella fate, dragging his entire group into the toughest challenge? Contestant Spencer did not cope with this decision at all, audibly and visibly for everyone present and watching. He vomits several times under pressure. It is Spencer who finally relents and chooses the umbrella.
The scene and Spencer’s reaction impressively demonstrated the psychological effects of the show on its human material, which are enormous even without the danger to life. The sequence was also almost unbearable for the audience.
This is how fans reacted to the choking scene in Squid Game: The Challenge
There’s a lot of sympathy for Spencer in the comments on X, like this:
I really felt bad for Spencer in squid games the challenge. The guy was under so much pressure and he was clearly considered an easy target so they bullied him into choosing the umbrella shape. I get that there is money on the line but gosh like give the guy a break pic.twitter.com/YqwZYwycWh
– kiana (@KianaKaslanaaa) November 22, 2023
I really felt sorry for Spencer in Squid Game: The Challenge. The guy was under so much pressure and he was clearly seen as an easy target, so they forced him to go for the umbrella move. I understand money is on the line, but leave the guy alone.
However, there is also direct criticism of the show and its apparent desire to air Spencer’s outburst:
Did anyone psychologically evaluate Spencer because what the hell SquidGame
– Tee (@accordingtotee) November 22, 2023
Has anyone psychologically examined Spencer, because what the hell.
Despite fkng his team over, somebody tell Spencer (Player 299) that he needs to go for therapy. That panic and anxiety attack was scary to watch shame.
It didn’t help that Bryton kept making fun of him bruhhh. SquidGameTheChallenge SquidGame
– macyyy (@GlitterBeaux) November 23, 2023
… ]This panic and anxiety attack was scary to watch.
spencer swallowing his puke in squid game is making me wanna die
– ✮ beth ✮ (@bbyfaouzia) November 22, 2023
Spencer swallows his vomit in the Squid Game and I want to die
The other candidates also come off badly with fans:
The contestants blaming Spencer in the squid game challenge on netflix are actual fucktards.
– 雞扒 (@aeliosnoir) November 23, 2023
The participants who blame Spencer […] are real assholes.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Spencer Hawkins talked about how exactly the peer pressure on the show developed and affected him.
