TV Review: MOST DANGEROUS GAME: Season 1, Episode 1: The Offer [Quibi]

Most Dangerous Game The Offer Review

Quibi‘s Most Dangerous Game: Season 1, Episode 1: The Offer, led by Liam Hemsworth as Dodge and Christoph Waltz as Miles, are the two characters who starred in episode one, “The Offer”.

Interestingly, this series takes inspiration from the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” published in 1924 by Richard Connell. About a man who has to run from Russian hunters on an island, this original story has been remastered and re-attempted numerous times over the years. The most recent adaptation is The Hunt, a 2020 film around the same idea: hunting humans like animals as a sport. Obviously, Quibi’s version is in several short episodes, so it should be a refreshing retelling of the famous story.

Episode one’s short, seven minute duration set the stage for the following episodes. Since the whole episode consisted of dialogue between two characters, it felt slightly incomplete. The filmmaking and acting was adequate overall, it just gave me a sense that something was missing. Of course, Quibi’s model is to follow the structure of condensed episodes that all combine to make some sort of mini movie, so it could be that I am just getting used to that style. Besides from that, I thought the first installment was put together quite nicely.

One first impression that immediately came to mind was how futuristic the waiting room that Dodge is waiting in appears. The all-black room with sleek, new-age design overlooking the city gives the viewer a sense that whom he is about to meet has serious money. Another interpretation of this could be that the makers are stating right off the bat that this is a new, never before seen remake of the famous story. Combined with Quibi’s shortened episode style, I think it is very refreshing and unique. Even the presentation of the title with the large red font and background sound creates some eeriness, which is also something I noticed right away. Although small, it was well executed and added some suspense before one word was said.

When Dodge enters Miles’ office, the idea of money comes again. The lavish and stylish look of everything tells the audience that Miles is very wealthy and almost snobby. Not necessarily important, it simply conveys a message that this version of the story is fresh, which I like. The opening conversation between the two is small talk, and is a waste of time. Other than the reason that it establishes to the audience that these two have a history and know each other, I don’t see the point in it and it wastes precious time, time that there isn’t an abundance of. The conversation soon shifts to what Dodge comes to talk about, which is money he needs for himself and his family.

The acting of this opening scene is subpar. Hemsworth plays the role well, showing emotion in what he is saying about his current condition. He is relatable, and shows expression that grab the audience. Waltz is just blah. It’s not that he’s bad, his acting frankly wasn’t anything spectacular. He is the right fit for the persuasive businessman character, but there are times where I feel he is boring and doesn’t show the right amount of emotion. Some lines felt awkward, but it wasn’t by any means unbearable, and the scene is not negatively affected by it.

In the end, I was left satisfied with episode one. It wasn’t exactly the most riveting episode out there, but most of the dialogue was meaningful and the introduction to the famous plot was performed well. Unlike other versions of this story, Dodger chooses to be hunted, which I think is a perfect way to remake the tale given the circumstances. I look forward to seeing what comes next in the series.

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