'Squid Game is finally back with so many twists and turns you won't be able to look away'

Squid Game Season 2 continues the story with new games and twists as the characters try to uncover the truth behind the deadly competition - will season two live up to the hype?

It has been three years since viewers across the globe were pinned to their sofas, gripped and horrified by Squid Game.

Netflix ’s biggest ever debut series, the South Korean shock-thriller hit was nail-biting TV and hard to pause. The stressful, dystopian plot followed desperate, broke “losers” who agreed to compete in a series of children’s games with a violent twist.

Win the games, win millions. Lose – get shot in the head by a soldier in a mask and pink jumpsuit. It is all messed up, sinister… and thrilling. Now Squid Game faces the difficult Second Album Syndrome, with ­expectations through the roof.

Director Hwang Dong-Hyuk (so stressed during season one he lost several teeth), admits: “I felt pressure to create a set of all-new games which took things to the next level.” When we last saw Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), aka Player 456, he had just won but declared his intent to find out who is behind the deadly game.

Now, he is still determined to put an end to the vicious bloodsport. Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun) is back in the police but in traffic. He knows the truth about the games, and knows his brother is the evil Front Man. It is inevitable these two heroes will find each other and form an alliance, but in terms of the over arching plot, it is a disappointingly slow start.

There are a couple of riveting set piece moments in early episodes, one a cruel game with homeless people and another involving Rock, Paper, Scissors. Let’s just say that this season takes more beloved childhood games and ruins them for us forever.

Tension mounts from the constant dread and, watching with subtitles, you’ll see the phrase “ominous music” often. But while season one took us straight to the games, you’ll have to wait this time. Fans will stick with it, the show has earned our loyalty – and when it picks up the pace, it’s totally worth it.

There is comedy. The new players complain about everything from the colour of the uniforms to the secrecy of the staff. Some parts are familiar – the gigantic doll with the laser stare is back. A new rule brings even more tension and rivalry, while there are plenty of players to get emotionally attached to and to hate. By mid-season, the twists and turns will be coming so fast, you won’t be able to look away.

Squid Game Season 2 is on Netflix from December 26.