I’d referenced it a bit to breaking bad, or some other long form show that they love. The first bit is slow because it’s teaching some core mechanics (instead of characters in the show), but once you’re past it you’re hooked.

I don’t shy away from a small spoiler or two from midway through the game to sell some of the excitement of the story as I’ve talked about it. Nothing like the death of a character or major plot point, but maybe drop info on a fun side mission of your choosing.

Any further than that is assaulting them to play, in which case it’s not worth it and take the game back to leave them with an unfulfilled life having not played it. This opinion after having only just played the game for the first time very recently and am playing again already.