Tatyana Yarmak, the director behind the film Unnatural Selection, recently spoke about the project on a messaging platform associated with a radio program. He candidly noted that his film bears a resemblance to the popular Korean series Squid Game in some ways, which sparked discussion about influence and originality in modern cinema.
Yarmak explained that the screenplay for Unnatural Selection was completed in 2014, well before Squid Game became a global phenomenon. When the Netflix series debuted, he and his co-author Stanislav Kovalev confronted the possibility that comparisons would arise. They prepared for questions about similarities, yet they chose to view those conversations as part of the broader conversation about artistic creation rather than as a setback.
According to Yarmak, the element he respects most about Squid Game is its ending. He believes the ending of his own film communicates a deep message about humanity and the meaning of life. In his view, the core idea of Squid Game centers on the extremes people will endure for money, a theme that invites viewers to reflect on contemporary values and choices in a wealth driven world.
Squid Game premiered in October 2021 and rapidly became a landmark for streaming, noted for its impressive viewership on Netflix. Industry metrics highlighted the series as one of the platform’s most-watched titles, with billions of hours watched in a relatively short span. The achievement is often cited in discussions about the power of serialized storytelling and global audience engagement in the streaming era. Figures indicate robust demand across regions and a broad cultural impact that extended beyond the initial release window. Viewership data cited publicly during the period showed substantial attention to the series and its narrative arc across multiple markets. The series achieved extraordinary recognition as a cultural touchstone during that time frame. It is widely recognized that the show helped redefine what is possible in streaming content and audience churn rates, influencing discussions about production budgets, release strategies, and international appeal.
In related industry discussions, a notable figure in cinema, Woody Allen, publicly commented on shifting career considerations tied to funding and opportunities. The broader conversation about funding realities serves as a backdrop for independent filmmakers as they navigate the evolving landscape of film production, distribution, and audience reach in a crowded marketplace. This context underscores the ongoing tension between artistic ambition and financial feasibility, a dynamic that ultimately shapes the kinds of stories that reach screens and platforms today.
At its core, the dialogue surrounding Unnatural Selection and Squid Game invites audiences to consider how influence, timing, and thematic resonance interact in contemporary storytelling. It highlights the ongoing dialogue about originality, the universality of human concerns, and the ways in which powerful endings can leave a lasting imprint on viewers and critics alike. While comparisons are inevitable in a world where many works echo shared human experiences, the conversation remains a catalyst for deeper exploration of narrative intent, character evolution, and the meaning audiences find in cinema and television across North America and beyond.
Note: All figures and performance milestones referenced are drawn from publicly reported industry analyses and streaming metrics as observed during the period of broader discussion around the film and the series. Attribution and measurement details are provided by primary distributors and industry trackers for context and transparency.