It's not 'Squid Game,' but this Netflix thriller movie with a familiar face might hit the same nerve — watch the new trailer now
But there might be something to fill that gap. Netflix is constantly pumping out original content, but there's one upcoming release that's quickly become my most anticipated movie of the summer. After catching a first look last month, I was hooked, and now there's a brand-new trailer.
The movie is 'Wall to Wall,' a psychological thriller starring one of 'Squid Game''s most beloved actors, and it's hitting the streaming service on July 18.
Kang Ha-neul, who played Dae-hoe in 'Squid Game' seasons 2 and 3, now takes center stage in a new original movie from Netflix. He portrays a man who 'finally saves up enough to buy an apartment, only to have it turn into a nightmare with financial ruin and mysterious noises from neighboring floors.'
In the movie, Kang's character Woo-sung is stuck in a cramped apartment, surrounded by strangers he calls neighbors, hearing strange noises through thin walls, and trapped in the same dull routine every day. He's alone, but close enough to others to feel constantly on edge. It's the kind of setting where paranoia creeps in without you even realizing it.
'Wall to Wall' doesn't share much with 'Squid Game' in story or style, but it could still satisfy fans because Kang, who quickly became a standout in the series, takes the lead. His performance was one of the most memorable, and with his talent front and center here, it's easy to see why this might fill that void (for me, anyway).
Considering 'Squid Game' season 3 quite literally took my soul, I'm hoping 'Wall to Wall' will at least deliver a solid thriller fix. Kang might not be as recognizable as Lee Jung-jae, but he still deserves just as much attention for his talent.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
After the success of the acclaimed drama 'When the Camellia Blooms' and the hit series 'Tastefully Yours,' Kang has earned a solid reputation for bringing plenty of charm and emotional weight to every role. With that track record, I'm confident he'll bring something great to this upcoming thriller.
Plus, anyone who has seen 'Squid Game' will know that his character starts off as a boastful former Marine with a tough exterior. But as the games progress, his vulnerabilities and inner conflicts surface, and he showed some serious acting chops while exploring this side of his character.
The premise also has me seriously intrigued. The movie's original Korean title translates to '84 Square Meters,' which is the standard size of many apartments in South Korea. It reflects how tight, competitive, and stressful the country's housing situation really is. There's barely any privacy, and peace of mind is even harder to come by.
This makes for a tense and claustrophobic backdrop, where the characters are trapped not just by physical walls, but by the pressures and anxieties of their environment. A setup like this is perfect for a thriller that explores how isolation and close quarters can slowly wear down a person's sanity.
Directed by Kim Tae-joon, known for his acclaimed thriller 'Unlocked' (which, funnily enough, also stars another 'Squid Game' alum Yim Si-wan), 'Wall to Wall' marks his return to the genre. The movie also stars Yeom Hye-ran as Eun-hwa, the apartment's resident representative, and Seo Hyun-woo as Jin-ho, an upstairs neighbor.
Where will I be on July 18? Streaming 'Wall to Wall' on Netflix, of course. In the meantime though, check out what's new on Netflix this month.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
14 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
Netflix just got one of the best movies you (probably) missed in theatres — and it's like ‘Dead Poets Society' but with a penguin
To many people, 1989's 'Dead Poets Society' with the late-great Robin Williams is pretty much the perfect movie. But it appears that you can actually improve upon perfection, as 'The Penguin Lessons' takes a similar basic concept and throws in a truly adorable aquatic bird. Flying into theatres back in March (yes, I'm aware penguins are flightless birds, just go with it), 'The Penguin Lesson' stars the loveable Steve Coogan and is a sweet tale of unexpected friendship between a grumpy educator and a wayward aquatic creature. It returned only a modest sum at the global box office, but I expect it's about to enjoy a surge in popularity as it arrives on Netflix this weekend (July 26). It seems primed to charm the streaming service's subscriber base and is the perfect feel-good watch when you need a lift. Based on a true story, it's one of my favorite easy-watching movies of the year, and if you're looking for a Netflix movie full of charm and heart-warming moments, look no further. Set in the 1970s, 'The Penguin Lessons' opens with English teacher Tom Michell (Steve Cooage) moving to Argentina to teach at an exclusive all-boys school overseen by Headmaster Timothy Buckle (Jonathan Pryce). He arrives at a time of significant political upheaval in the South American country, and faces a classroom full of generally uninterested students. During a school closure, he takes a trip to Uruguay and discovers a lost penguin in an oil slick. He rescues it and brings it back to his hotel room. Michell's attempts to free himself of the bird prove tricky when the penguin refuses to leave his side. So with little choice, he reluctantly adopts the penguins, which he names Juan. This proves to be a life-changing decision as he forms a close bond with his unconventional pet. There's nothing inherently original about 'The Penguin Lessons'' core formula. There are numerous movies about an initially cantankerous figure softening up as they allow a new friend (or sometimes romantic partner) into their lives. But what 'The Penguin Lesson' lacks in originality, it makes up for in sheer spirit. It's an optimistic tale of finding the joy in life. While it's certainly not above manipulating your emotions, 'The Penguin Lessons' has plenty of gentle chuckles throughout, and I have no doubt many viewers will come away having shed a tear or two (or more). But its overall message is one of hope and of finding friends to help you out. Steven Coogan is well cast in the lead role of Tom Michell. It plays up the grumpy side of Michell's personality well, but even from the start, you can tell that underneath the sarcasm, there is a sweet soul just waiting to be unlocked. And oh boy, does Juan manage to do so. Perhaps where 'The Penguin Lesson' falls most is in its central setting of 1970s Argentina during the country's coup d'état. Last year's Oscar-winning 'I'm Still Here' took on the subject matter of a military coup in 1960s Brazil with steely determination, but here, the Argentine military coup isn't handled with the same appropriate force. It is touched upon often and informs several character motivations and arcs, but it does, on occasion, feel like the harsh realities of that period of history are glossed over in favour of charming scenes spent with a penguin. On the flipside, there's something to be said for a movie displaying that even in the darkest of times, there are rays of light. Just don't expect a rousing speech that matches the iconic ones delivered by Williams as John Keating in 'Dead Poets Society,' but in 'The Penguin Lessons,' you'll find a charming story, a strong leading performance, and a sidekick that will have you googling penguin adoption (No, you can't keep a penguin as a pet. I checked already). Over on Rotten Tomatoes, 'The Penguin Lessons' was largely well-received. It holds a 76% score from critics, which is enough for a 'Certified Fresh' seal of approval. Reviewers praised Coogan's performance and the lightly humorous tone, but criticism was levied at the movie's handling of real-life history. Meanwhile, viewers were seriously charmed by this one. 'The Penguin Lessons' has a 95% rating on the Popcornmeter (RT's audience rating metric), with recent reviews calling it 'brilliant, 'a must watch,' and 'absolutely adorable.' I assume that latter praise is referring to Juan Salvador the penguin, or perhaps their celebrity crush is Steve Coogan? While I'm a staunch advocate for seeing as many movies in theatres as possible — 'Fantastic Four: The First Steps' was my 50th cinema trip of 2025 — 'The Penguin Lesson' does feel like a flick that has found a good home on Netflix. It's ideal for a lazy Sunday or when you just need a little pick-me-up, and I suspect it might become a sleeper hit in the library. 'The Penguin Lessons' certainly isn't the only new movie that's been added to Netflix this month. Here's a guide to everything new on Netflix in July 2025 for even more options. Watch "The Penguin Lessons" on Netflix now
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Taylor Swift Sings High Praise Of Adam Sandler's ‘Happy Gilmore 2'
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 28: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs (L) celebrates with ... More Taylor Swift after defeating the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by) Taylor Swift, whose boyfriend, of course, is Happy Gilmore 2 cameo actor Travis Kelce, has posted her enthusiastic response to the Adam Sandler film on social media. Happy Gilmore 2, of course, is the long-awaited sequel to the 1996 sports comedy classic Happy Gilmore, starring Sandler as the title character who puts his hockey skills to good use on the golf course. Netflix produced Happy Gilmore 2, which began streaming on the platform on Friday. The film also features the return of Julie Bowen as Victoria Venit from the original film, as well as Christopher McDonald as Happy's sneering nemesis Shooter McGavin. Kelce, the star tight end from the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, makes a cameo in Happy Gilmore 2 as a waiter. Naturally, Swift watched Happy Gilmore 2 and posted her thoughts in an Instagram story on Friday, which read (via People), 'Happy Gilmore 2 had me cackling and cheering the whole movie! An absolute must watch, 13/10, go watch it on @netflix as soon as humanly possible.' In a red carpet interview at the Happy Gilmore 2 premiere on Monday, Extra asked Sandler if he asked Swift to cameo in the film, to which he replied, "We didn't want to bother Taylor. We just let Taylor entertain the world as she does. I listened to 'All Too Well' three times in a row today with my kid. She's done a lot for our planet, so we love her." 'Happy Gilmore 2' Features Several Cameo Appearances Happy Gilmore 2 also stars Ben Stiller, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (aka Bad Bunny), John Daly and Margaret Qualley. In addition to Kelce, Happy Gilmore 2 features cameos from several different showbiz notables, including Eminem, Post Malone, Nick Swardson, Steve Buscemi, Eric André and Benny Safdie. Getting big stars to sign up for a cameo in Happy Gilmore 2 wasn't too difficult a task, said the film's director, Kyle Newacheck. 'People love it, and I get that, because I'm a fan of the first one,' Newacheck told Netflix TUDUM. 'A lot of these guys, the golfers and people who are near and dear to Adam Sandler and the movie, they all wanted to come and say hi and play and be a part of it and contribute to the second one.' Among the golf greats who turn up in cameos in Happy Gilmore 2 are Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Nancy Lopez, Annabel Angel and Nick Faldo. Also turning up in Happy Gilmore 2 is Dennis Dugan, who directed the original film and is an executive producer on the sequel. Happy Gilmore 2, which is written by the original film's screenwriters, Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy, is new on Netflix.
Tom's Guide
4 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
5 best new movies to stream this weekend on Netflix, HBO Max, Peacock and more
We're barreling through July at a steady clip, and the question of what movies to watch this weekend is back on our minds. The best streaming services are serving up a ton of great new movies this weekend, but narrowing down which ones are worth your precious streaming time can quickly become a headache. That's why we're highlighting all of the hits and none of the duds to make your next movie night one to remember. Leading the pack this week is Adam Sandler's long-awaited sequel "Happy Gilmore 2" on Netflix, which is all but guaranteed to crash the streamer's top 10 on a wave of nostalgia. Also worth noting is Disney's live-action adaptation of "Lilo & Stitch" made its debut on premium streaming this week. Meanwhile, HBO Max just got A24's offbeat horror comedy led by Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega: "Death of a Unicorn." Peacock has a rare Christmas thriller, "Violent Night," that's surprisingly fun even with such a hokey premise. For something less fun and more funny (in a bad way), Netflix got the "Until Dawn" video game adaptation that's pretty much only tied to its inspiration in name only. So without further ado, let's dive into the best new movies on streaming to watch this weekend. I have a confession: I watched "Happy Gilmore" for the first time this week. My mom thought Adam Sandler was annoyingly unfunny, so his movies were quietly banned from our household growing up. All the talk of Netflix's upcoming sequel convinced me to finally sit down and see what all the fuss was about, and while I'm still not convinced that the world really needed a sequel, I'm always happy to be proven wrong. It's been nearly 30 years since we last saw Sandler's Happy on the green, but it doesn't look like much has changed. He's still just as loud, impulsive, and foul-mouthed as ever. Everyone's favorite hot-headed golf champion comes out of retirement and rejoins the pro golf circuit, this time to cover the cost of his daughter's ballet school in a new underdog adventure. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Given the nostalgia factor and Sandler's enduring fanbase, it's a safe bet this long-awaited sequel will shoot straight to No. 1 on Netflix's most-watched list. Watch it now on Netflix What happens when you accidentally run over a unicorn with your car? Pure chaos, as Elliot Kintner (Paul Rudd) and his teenage daughter Ridley (Jenna Ortega) discover in A24's horror comedy titled (what else?) "Death of a Unicorn." While en route to an important business trip where Elliot hopes to seal a lucrative deal, the pair mows down an honest-to-goodness unicorn. But the real madness begins after they haul the creature's body to the lavish estate of Elliot's eccentric boss, Odell Leopold (Richard E. Grant). At the sight of the mythical beast, Leopold's family gets dollar signs in their eyes and immediately starts cooking up ways to exploit the unicorn's mystical healing powers. Elliot and Ridley try to stop them, but end up having their hands full with an even bigger threat: a vengeful herd of unicorns out for revenge. Watch it now on HBO Max Love 'em or hate 'em, the latest Disney animated classic to get the live-action treatment, "Lilo & Stitch," arrived on premium video-on-demand platforms this week. Me? I'm holding off until it eventually comes to Disney Plus in a few weeks, but fans eager to relive all the nostalgia and chaotic charm will be happy to know they can now watch it from the comfort of their couch. The story follows largely the same beats as the 2002 original. When a dog-like alien on the run from intergalactic police crashlands in Hawaii, he forms an unlikely friendship with a lonely young outcast named Lilo (Maia Kealoha). She hopes he will help heal her broken family, but instead, his troublemaking ways only drive her already-stretched-thin sister/guardian, Nani (Sydney Agudong), to her breaking point. Director Dean Fleischer Camp, whose excellent "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On" stole my heart, brings his signature blend of warmth and humor to this project. And having Chris Sanders, the original's co-creator and director, return to voice Stitch adds a welcome sense of continuity that longtime fans are sure to enjoy. Buy or rent now on Prime Video and Apple You've heard of Christmas in July, but when it comes to "Violent Night," don't expect the feel-good yuletide classics you grew up with. This bloody, adrenaline-fueled Christmas thriller unfolds on Christmas Eve, when a ruthless team of mercenaries (led by John Leguizamo's cold-hearted Scrooge) crashes the Lightstone family's celebration to hold them hostage and steal millions from their vault. But their plans take an unexpected turn when Santa Claus (David Harbour of "Stranger Things" fame) gets caught in the ray while delivering presents. And this isn't the jolly ol' Saint Nick you're familiar with: He's a hardened, take-no-prisoners, one-man killing machine. Determined to protect young Trudy Lightstone (Leah Brady), the only one in her family who still believes in him, Santa unleashes a brutal, darkly hilarious beatdown. I didn't have high hopes when I went into "Violent Night" last Christmas, but it instantly became one of my go-to Christmas films. If you enjoy festive movies with a gritty edge, this unconventional holiday thriller is a must-watch. Watch it now on Peacock "Until Dawn" is one of the worst video game movie adaptations in recent memory. It sits alongside "Borderlands" as a rare failure in a veritable golden age of video games on the big screen. But even bad movies can be entertaining if you're in the mood for a good laugh. Honestly, to even call this an adaptation of the hit PlayStation horror game feels like a stretch. It takes only the broadest inspiration, with the characters, setting, and tone all overhauled beyond recognition. Gone is the secluded, snowy mountaintop cabin beset by ancient horrors that stalk the forest. Instead, we follow a group of friends trapped in a remote house that's caught in a time loop. Each reset brings fresh horrors, and the group must survive the night again and again to have any hope of escaping their horrible fate. It's admittedly a fun premise for a video game, but as a movie, "Until Dawn" falls far short of its inspiration. Watch it now on Netflix Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
