Alice in Borderland

Netflix's 2020 release, Alice in Borderland, takes the viewer into a parallel world draped with thrill, mystery and survivalism. Adapted from a Japanese manga series written by Haro Aso, this 8-episode drama series is an intricate endeavor of suspense, action, science fiction, and psychological thrill. Reflecting on the common existential questions of human life, the series offers a ride through a dystopian world where survival games define the life or death of a person.

The show begins in modern-day Tokyo, introducing us to the listless life of video-gamer Arisu and his two friends, Chota and Karube. Arisu, the protagonist played by Kento Yamazaki, is an unemployed young man who is engulfed in his insipid life, devoid of any ambition. His friends, facing their own set of everyday life struggles, find a sense of escape in their nightly hangouts.

The plot takes a dramatic twist when the trio, hiding away in a restroom during a fireworks spectacle, suddenly find themselves engulfed in darkness. As the lights come back, they step out to find the busy city of Tokyo eerily silent and deserted - almost as if the city has undergone a mass exodus while they were away. Confused and bewildered, they roam the abandoned city only to discover the start of a strange, cruel game which they are unwilling participants.

In this dystopian version of their city, bizarre games of life and death begin to unravel, where the sole prize is survival. Each game is marked by a playing card, denoting the level of danger and difficulty the participants have to tackle to survive. Evoking the essence of "Alice in Wonderland", the show grips its audience with a hauntingly magnificent and at the same time, a terrifying mirage of an alternate reality.

The series is marked by its high-intensity action sequences and the psychologically convoluted survival games, which form the bedrock of the plot. Each episode offers a new game that escalates the stakes for Arisu and his friends. The rules of each game are enigmatic, the encounters treacherous, and every victory brings them face-to-face with their own fragility and morality. The show aptly reflects on the grim aspect of human propensity to survive at any cost, even if it means defeating others who are in the same boat.

Alice in Borderland adeptly fuses its frenzied narrative with a vivid portrayal of characters, each trying to decipher the true meaning of their existence in this strange borderline. Kento Yamazaki's portrayal of Arisu, a gaming geek with no clear life goal, is very relatable. He adds a gripping intensity to his character's transformation from an aimless young man to an adept survivor. The storytelling does justice to each character's journey, exhibiting their fears, strengths, vulnerabilities, and transformations with expert finesse.

The series further enriches its plot with underlying philosophical elements. It seeks to make the audience question the very essence of existence. How far can someone go to survive? What does it mean to live? Who decides which life is worth keeping and which isn’t? By asking such universal, existential questions, Alice in Borderland lets the viewer ponder the true meaning of survival and existence.

Besides the gripping narrative and exceptional performances, the show is also visually stunning. The cinematography elegantly captures the eerie, post-apocalyptic cityscape that provides the perfect setting for the intensifying survival games. The masterful manipulation of light and shadow coupled with clever camera work and sound design creates an atmosphere that is both chilling and engaging. It engrosses the viewers into an immersive experience while keeping them at the edge of their seats.

To top it all, the series concludes with a tantalizing cliff-hanger, leaving the audience eagerly waiting for the next instalment. Alice in Borderland is not a typical survivor series. It's a thought-provoking exploration of human existence, a journey into a dystopian world where every game is an existential dilemma, and survival is nothing less than a chess game.

Alice in Borderland is indeed a blend of adept storytelling, intense performances and compelling visuals. If you're a fan of high-stakes thriller dramas, dystopian sci-fi or just appreciate gripping storytelling, this is a watch that's well worth your time - a twisted tale of survival cleverly concealed within the familiar narrative of a game.