When Netflix released a show this week that people were comparing to The Traitors I instantly disregarded it, nothing says annoying more than British game shows and Claudia Winklemen acting (sorry Claudia) but after some deliberation, I gave Million Dollar Secret a watch and I’m glad I did!
This brand-new competition series had me on the edge of my seat as the concept is so clever if albeit familiar but it’s executed with better tension, better casting, and better cinematography, it’s just infinitely better than the origins it’s inspired from.
12 strangers meet in a luxurious mansion and one of them has a million dollars sitting in their room, it’s up to the now millionaire to protect their secret from the other housemates who’s sole aim is to discover the millionaire’s identity as each day they have to vote one person out who they feel could be the millionaire whilst the millionaire has to complete daily tasks to give them an advantage over their competition to protect their asset.
People you assume are innocent and lovely suddenly turn into calculated manipulators, friendships are broken as quickly as they are formed and it’s just an absolute whirlwind of drama and tension and I just cannot get enough of it!
Three episodes are currently available on the platform with more dropping on April 2nd but I want more already!
It’s easy to watch content and seeing all the game plans come together is great as well as listening to interviews with the contestants where they’re adamant they know who the millionaire is or haven’t got a clue but will try and convince others they think they know to remove certain players, it’s just scheming and wonderful.
Watching a New York Police officer manipulate everyone around her one minute to then get other things absolutely spot-on from just ‘instinct’ is wild to me and then the hilarious contestants who are so adamant they’re right getting humiliated when they’re proved wrong, it’s car-crash binge watchable TV at its finest and I know why it’s doing so well on Netflix after just four days of being on the platform.
I rarely get animated at the screen but by episode 3 there is a shock vote-off and the reasoning for this is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen, they were a great character and played the game wonderfully and it was a real shame to see them leave so early. You’ll see, SO stupid!
The show is hosted by Peter Serafinowicz who steps into the role of the owner of the fictional hotel where the guests are staying and comes across like a pompous British butler but it just works, Peter does a great job but how on earth he doesn’t manage to break character during some of the things he’s saying is beyond me.
I’ve never been a huge fan of British game shows and as someone who grew up watching American TV I’d choose Million Dollar Secret any day of the week over The Traitors, it’s more tolerable and watchable in every sense of the word.
Our Rating
Summary
I’ve never been a huge fan of British game-shows and as someone who grew up watching American TV I’d choose this any day of the week, it’s more tolerable and watchable in every sense of the word.
