Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the Netflix series Ozark and Squid Game.
The cunning, strategic, and sometimes terrifying characters in Netflix’s Ozark may be experts at money laundering and murder, but who among them has what it takes to survive and take home the prize in Squid Game?
It’s not hard to imagine the brilliant characters from Ozark in the deadly competition, as they’re already used to leading dangerous lives full of crime and death. To survive each lethal round, the characters have to be strong, brave, and incredibly smart. It takes a lot of strategy and a bit of luck to make it out as Gi-hun did, and characters like Ben and Charlotte may not be as fortunate.
Ben Davis
Ben may be one of the best supporting characters in Ozark, but he’d likely be among the first to die in Squid Game. Fans know how overwhelmed he can get when things become chaotic around him, which is a horrible characteristic to bring into the lethal competition.
The fan-favorite would likely lose his cool during the very first round of red light, green light, which would get him shot in an instant. The only way he would survive is if he were motivated to protect Ruth, but on his own, he’d likely get eliminated in a heartbeat.
Charlotte Byrde
Charlotte can’t be blamed for wanting to run away from the Ozarks, as she can’t stand her new situation and has trouble adapting to her new life. Unlike her world where she can hire a lawyer and attempt to get emancipated from her parents, she’d have no choice once she signs the contract in Squid Game.
Although Charlotte has occasionally shown that she can be sneaky, like when she steals cartel money and stashes it away, this isn’t exactly a skill that will help her win the dangerous contest. She may be able to sneak around like Sae-byeok does and gain information about future games, but without the intelligence, strength, and strategy to back it up, she’d be eliminated sooner than most players.
Omar Navarro
Fans may expect the cruel Navarro to go far in Squid Game, but his clear counterpart in the series is Deok-su. He’s an arrogant man who can influence others to do his bidding, which may benefit him for a while in the competition.
Navarro would definitely survive the riots and tug-of-war with his crew, but he likely lacks the intelligence and strategic thinking needed for rounds with the marbles and dalgona. Plus, he’d be targeted by other players who will eventually realize they don’t have to be bossed around in the life-or-death contest.
Jonah Byrde
Although Jonah may be the youngest character on the show, he’s proved that he’s capable of much more than what others may expect from him. He’s a quick learner, as evidenced by how he learns how to skillfully use guns and even launder money.
He’s still at a clear disadvantage because of his age and lack of strength in Squid Game, but he would likely make it through any rounds that require a high level of intelligence. Jonah would be among the first to figure out that players can lick through the dalgona candy and he would also probably come up with a brilliant way to win the marbles round.
Buddy Dieker
Buddy’s complicated past and experience with the mob would probably come in handy in the fatal competition. Fans may recall how Marty and Wendy often turn to him for advice, which underscores how smart and strategic he can be.
Of course, Buddy’s physical health will factor into how far he can actually go in Squid Game. Players could use his health against him, much like how Gi-hun uses Il-nam’s to beat him in the marbles round. It’s not too far-fetched to imagine that Buddy would have a similar heartbreaking death, but not without surviving a few rounds first.
Darlene Snell
Without a doubt, Darlene would do horrific things to get ahead in the deadly competition. Like Sang-woo, she doesn’t care who she has to kill if it means she gets to survive another day. She’s violent and strong, and sometimes even cunning.
That said, Darlene’s main weakness is an unfortunate one to have in Squid Game. Her recklessness will undoubtedly ensure that she never makes it to the last round. She may get overconfident in the glass stepping stones level or she may even be too brazen and end up getting hurt during the riots.
Ruth Langmore
Ruth is a brave character who never backs down from a fight. She’s feisty, ambitious, and strong, which are all advantageous traits in the twisted competition. Fans already know Ruth wouldn’t hesitate to murder whoever gets in her way, so the marbles round wouldn’t bother her at all (unless she’s paired with Ben).
Ruth’s main disadvantage in the contest would be her obnoxious attitude. She’d likely be a lot like Mi-nyeo, who’s usually rejected when players form groups. While that may save her from the marbles round, it would be bad news during tug-of-war and the riots.
Helen Pierce
As the lawyer for the Navarro cartel, Helen does more than practice her profession. She orders murders, tortures people, and intimidates members to keep them in their place. She’s smart and strategic on top of being ruthless, which will work in her favor in Squid Game.
Helen is also extremely careful, as she’s able to hide the nature of her work from her family and never gets close enough to the Byrdes to be attached to them. She likely wouldn’t trip in red light, green light and would be laser-focused through the rest of the rounds. The only reason she wouldn’t make it to the end is that Wendy would kill her before then, just like how Sang-woo murders Sae-byeok before the finale.
Marty Byrde
Marty may be one of the best characters in Ozark, but he won’t ever be able to beat Wendy in the Squid Game arena. The pair are an unstoppable force when they work together, but when they’re apart is when audiences see what they’re made of.
Marty’s main advantage is his incredible strategic thinking and ability to push down his emotions. He would never let the fear of dying in the competition overwhelm him, as he’d be too focused trying to find a way to win the round. He’d be smart like Sang-woo, but likely not as cutthroat as he is, which means he would lose to his more talented wife in the end.
Wendy Byrde
There’s no denying that Wendy is the most probable winner among the Ozark characters. She’s smart, cunning, cutthroat, and is willing to do anything for more power and to feed her ambition.
The fearless competitor would breeze through the rounds without breaking a sweat, likely coming up with brilliant solutions with Marty in games like tug-of-war and the marbles round. When it’s time for the finale, though, she wouldn’t hesitate to take Marty down, as she wouldn’t want to throw away all her hard work just for a relationship.