This gripping Netflix show is a cross between Survivor and Squid Game.

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If you're looking for your next binge-watch obsession, this Japanese-produced physical survival series might just be it.

The premise of The Final Draft is brilliantly simple yet emotionally complex: 25 former professional athletes compete in gruelling physical and psychological challenges for a 30 million yen prize (roughly $300,000 AUD). 

But this isn't just about the money — it's about proving they've still got what it takes.

The contestants range from athletes who had to walk away from their dreams due to injury or circumstance, to those who retired on their own terms. What unites them is a burning desire to prove — to themselves and the world — that they're not done yet.

And the competition is absolutely brutal. 

Watch the trailer for The Final Draft. Article continues after video.

The production value immediately evokes memories of the Korean sensation that captivated audiences worldwide… Squid Game. The stark, clinical arenas where challenges take place, the ominous voiceovers and the psychological pressure-cooker atmosphere all feel distinctly familiar to anyone who's watched contestants navigate deadly children's games.

But there's also a strong Survivor element that becomes apparent as the show progresses. The top performers after each challenge are rewarded with better accommodation — proper beds, decent meals, and comfortable living conditions — while the bottom performers are relegated to sad tents and basic rations.

This creates two distinct camps based on performance, fostering both camaraderie within each group and fierce competition between them. It's brilliant psychological manipulation that adds another layer of complexity beyond just the physical challenges.

Image: Netflix

Unlike Squid Game's fictional horror, The Final Draft grounds its drama in very real human stories. These are athletes who've dedicated their entire lives to sport, only to face the inevitable end that comes for every professional competitor. 

As the series progresses, it becomes clear what The Final Draft is really about: second chances.

And the devastating reality that so many athletes face: what is life after retirement? For many… it's difficult. Going back to their day jobs, picking up side gigs in order to make ends meet, working long hours to try and kick-start a business. It's not the glamorous lifestyle we've so often been sold when it comes to professional sports. 

The show wastes no time throwing these contestants into the deep end. The opening challenge sees all 25 athletes driven blindfolded to the base of a mountain ski trail, then told they must climb to 1500 metres altitude wearing heavy backpacks. The twist? The last person to reach the gate will have their backpack explode — a dramatic signal of their elimination. 

Image: Netflix

Later challenges include a particularly gruelling test where contestants lie head-down on pink slides, forced to do crunches and hit buttons with their heads. Miss a round and you're literally sent sliding out of the competition.

What sets The Final Draft apart from typical reality competition shows is its diverse cast of athletes. We're not just talking mainstream sports here — there's a water polo champion, an ultimate frisbee national team member, and even someone who specialises in "street workouts."

This variety means different challenges favour different skill sets, keeping viewers guessing about who might have the edge in any given round. And can I say, this show has given me a newfound respect for (and knowledge about) so many minor sports. 

One thing I will say is that I was severely disappointed that many of the women in the show were eliminated very early on, mostly due to the structure of the show, rather than merit.

Here's where the show really gets you: the deeply personal backstories and family connections that drive these athletes. Watching grown competitors break down as they talk about disappointing their families, missing their children's milestones for training, or feeling like they've lost their identity after retirement — it's genuinely heartbreaking. 

Image: Netflix

The determination in their eyes when they speak about proving themselves one more time is palpable. You see athletes who've sacrificed everything for their sport, only to have it end abruptly through injury or age. Their connection to family members who supported them through years of training, who believed in their dreams, adds layers of emotional stakes that go far beyond the prize money.

When contestants are eliminated, it's not just about losing a game — it's about facing that final confirmation that their athletic chapter is truly closed.

If you enjoyed the psychological tension of Squid Game but want something grounded in reality, or if you're a fan of physical competition shows like Survivor or Ninja Warrior, The Final Draft hits that sweet spot perfectly.

The Final Draft is streaming now on Netflix — and yes, it's absolutely bingeable in a weekend.

Feature Image: Netflix.