Squid Game Season 3 Review: A Disappointing Ending For An Inventive Story

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Netflix has been secretive regarding the distribution of the last episodes of “Squid Game” to critics – a sensible move considering the show is now the most-watched series ever on their platform. As I’ve watched all but one of the final episodes (I was given access to 5 out of 6 episodes in Season 3 for review), it’s challenging for me to fully evaluate the season as a whole, although I can certainly express some initial thoughts on it.

Following the unsuccessful uprising at the conclusion of “Squid Game” Season 2, Gi-Hun (Lee Jung-jae), who was thought to be the sole survivor, is transported to the remaining players in a casket adorned with a pink ribbon. Though the man is still breathing, he appears severely battered. He refrains from engaging with anyone and merely sits, desolate, as if all hope has vanished.

In the meantime, Guard 011, also known as No-eul (Park Gyu-young), has made extraordinary efforts to ensure Player 246, Gyeong-seok (Lee Jin-wook) – the father of the sick girl – escapes the rebellion unharmed. On the other hand, Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) and his group are still searching for the island from a boat captained by Park (Oh Dal-su). However, Choi Woo-seok (Jeon Seok-ho), the lone survivor of the Salesman’s (Gong Yoo) lethal rock-paper-scissors game, is growing wary that Captain Park might have hidden intentions.

There’s quite a bit happening here, yet the main attraction remains the games, and this season offers some truly intriguing contests, such as the game featuring the enigmatic boy mannequin that we encountered in the final credits of Season 2. The sets are grand, new, and teeming with energy, which makes it almost a pity that they’re utilized for such lethal activities. Honestly, if these games weren’t so gruesome, I’d delight in exploring them at length, especially the initial one, as it appears to be an extensive, immersive adventure. However, it wouldn’t feel like “Squid Game” without some violent action.

Catching up with last season’s players

As a devoted viewer, I find myself reflecting on Gi-hun’s emotional turmoil post his setbacks, which seems to amplify the significance of other narratives, particularly that of Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri) and her baby. It’s intriguing how, despite no time passing in the show’s universe, Jun-hee’s pregnancy appears full-term in the second season, a detail that initially seems implausible. The fact that she gives birth to a full-term baby in the very first episode of this season is even more questionable, and the dramatic timing of her labor during the game, which lasts only 30 minutes, adds another layer of improbability. These elements, among others, have left me feeling less than enamored with this storyline, yet it has been given significant emphasis in the final episodes of the series.

Attention is also shifting towards Jun-hee’s former boyfriend Myung-gi, played by Im Si-wan, and his alliance with Nam-Gyu, portrayed by Roh Jae-won, as they now possess the drugs once belonging to the late Thanos (Choi Seung-hyun). Additionally, Seon-nyeo, played by Chak Kook-hee, is garnering attention due to her leadership of a group of four devotees who are following her path throughout the games.

However, the developing animosity between Gi-hun and Kang Dae-ho (Kang Ha-neul) might be the most intriguing narrative in the initial stages of the series. When Gi-hun discovered Dae-ho’s treachery during the rebellion, it ignited a deep resentment within him, believing Dae-ho to be responsible for its collapse. It’s unfortunate that they seem unable or unwilling to communicate, maintaining their distance until their confrontations in the games. Dae-ho offers some insights, addressing one query from the second season, but mainly we witness their brutal altercations as they retaliate against each other.

Where’s the social commentary?

The battle between Gi-hun and Dae-ho is exciting, yet it fails to compare with the intensity of the first season. This could be due to the fact that Gi-hun appears to have a protective plot device, making his survival more predictable. Unfortunately, this pattern carries over to many subsequent episodes, as the potential death of Gi-hun seems unlikely, leaving more room for other characters to take center stage. Even when Gi-hun encounters the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) again for what is supposedly a prolonged conversation, his dialogue falls flat. The outcome feels underwhelming and lacks the expected impact.

In summary, this current season presents a mix of various narratives, with the storyline of Jun-hee and her baby being particularly prominent. If you find this storyline engaging, you might enjoy the season more than I did, but if you, like me, feel that the baby’s presence is implausible, you may share my frustration. The baby appears to serve as a device for exploring the extremes of human behavior, both good and bad. While there are some intriguing aspects related to the infant, they don’t quite justify this storyline. Regrettably, this plotline seems to overshadow the main purpose of the show in this season. In Season 2, we learned each character’s motivation for being there, but in the final season, it seems that the showrunner, Hwang Dong-hyuk, has opted for more graphic violence and tragic deaths instead of continuing to develop those character motivations.

To fully understand Season 3, I believe watching the final episode is essential. Although I have my theories about its outcome, I won’t know for sure until the last credits play. The finale could significantly impact the series’ ending, potentially wrapping it up in a memorable way. I’m hoping for that outcome, but I anticipate it may resemble the rest of Season 3: top-notch entertainment, though perhaps not as thought-provoking or commentary-rich as the first two seasons.

The highly-anticipated third season of “Squid Game” will debut on Netflix on June 27th. For those who might want to brush up on the series before diving into its climax, feel free to watch our summary video as a helpful reminder.

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2025-06-27 10:00