Ever marvel what grew to become of Squid Sport: The Problem, a reality-competition spin-off first introduced final June with what Netflix claimed was the biggest solid and lump-sum money prize in TV historical past? In response to former contestants who spoke with Rolling Stone, it was an expertise rife with “torment and trauma” that was “rigged” from the beginning.
This isn’t solely shocking contemplating the present is predicated on a collection about societal greed, by which indebted characters are compelled to struggle to the demise for cash. Following that fictional premise, The Problem asks 456 gamers to take part in Squid Sport–impressed contests—plus new occasions—in pursuit of a $4.56 million money prize. In response to a Netflix press launch, “The stakes are excessive, however on this recreation the worst destiny goes residence empty-handed.”
However based on 4 nameless former present individuals, who have been current for the primary day of filming exterior of London final Monday, extra dire outcomes have been inevitable. “It was simply the cruelest, meanest factor I’ve ever been via,” one of many former contestants instructed Rolling Stone. “We have been a human horse race, and so they have been treating us like horses out within the chilly racing and [the race] was fastened.”
Echoing an early report from UK tabloid The Solar, which detailed a brutal reenactment of the present’s “Crimson Gentle, Inexperienced Gentle” recreation in sub-freezing temperatures, sources instructed Rolling Stone that the circumstances resulted in at the very least 10 individuals collapsing. Medics allegedly tended to gamers who have been screaming and convulsing on the bottom. “One alleges that medics took ages to succeed in the gamers as a result of producers have been apprehensive in regards to the digital camera pictures being ruined,” Rolling Stone reported. “As an answer, masked individuals in pink jumpsuits have been despatched out on the ground with black coffins and positioned themselves to dam out the medics attending to the fallen participant—all whereas the remainder of the contestants remained frozen in place.”
However Netflix, which coproduces the present alongside Studio Lambert and The Backyard, denied that the problem resulted in any critical hazard or harm. “We care deeply in regards to the well being and security of our solid and crew, and invested in all the suitable security procedures. Whereas it was very chilly on set—and individuals have been ready for that—any claims of significant harm are unfaithful,” the streamer beforehand mentioned in a press release to Selection, which Rolling Stone mentioned it was redirected to when requested for touch upon its reporting. (The outlet mentioned that Studio Lambert didn’t reply to its request for remark, and that The Backyard directed its request to Netflix.) “All of the torment and trauma we skilled wasn’t because of the recreation or the rigor of the sport,” a former participant instructed Rolling Stone. “It was the incompetencies of scale—they bit off greater than they might chew.”
Along with the allegedly inhumane atmosphere, the previous gamers mentioned that the present was skewed towards high-profile individuals—particularly, TikTok and Instagram influencers. These contestants have been absolutely mic’d up and sometimes had guidelines bent of their favor, whereas most eradicated contestants got dummy microphones, the sources instructed Rolling Stone. (Selection reported that solely 228 of the 456 individuals superior to the following competitors.) “It actually wasn’t a recreation present. It was a TV present, and we have been mainly extras in a TV present,” one former participant mentioned. One other added, “As a substitute of Squid Sport, [they] are calling it ‘Rigged Sport.’ As a substitute of Netflix, they’re calling it ‘Web Repair,’ as a result of it was clearly apparent.”
The present’s historic money prize made gamers much more determined to stick to any alleged hazard or corruption, a supply defined. “There’s $4.5 million up for grabs and in the event you transfer, you might be out. I observed lots of people with the concept that they’re going to change their household’s lives. These individuals have been prepared to die. Any individual says, ‘I’m going residence with this, I don’t care what it takes.’ I feel the producers needed that. They needed individuals to not take into consideration their well being, to not care about their security.”
Two former individuals mentioned that some, together with themselves, are contemplating taking authorized motion in opposition to the manufacturing studios for office security violations, negligence, and false pretenses. “The humorous factor is,” a participant mentioned, “equality and equity was the primary theme of the unique Squid Sport.”
It’s unclear how this real-life mess will influence the way forward for its Emmy-winning unique present. Squid Sport creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, who’s engaged on a second season of the unique collection, beforehand mentioned of its actuality spin-off: “What I hope is that they are going to be carrying on my imaginative and prescient and intention as a lot as potential for the present.”
