This has been long overdue, but I’m finally here with my Squid Game Season 3 review. I watched this season back in June and had very high expectations going in, and it definitely ended up biting me in the butt. Scroll down to read more.
What happened in Squid Game Season 3?
The season picks up where it left off, with Gi-hun and his allies in the midst of a plot to take down the game – although things quickly spiral out of control.
As a result of the unfolding consequences, he is thrust back in with his teammates, and together they are forced to decide whether to continue or walk away.
We see that Gi-hun is really struggling here – after his plan goes horribly wrong. He also isn’t the same after one particular death, which has left him shaken.
Elsewhere, Detective Jun‑ho is still chasing the truth behind the scenes, after setting out once again on a quest for the island where the games are held.
My honest thoughts
As I mentioned earlier, I was ready to dive into this season and binge-watch what I hoped would be an incredible ending. But what I got instead felt completely subpar.
The games – which are a huge part of what makes Squid Game unique – were unfortunately underwhelming. They lacked originality and felt more like Western-style challenges rather than ones rooted in Korean culture and tradition.
This is a noticeable shift from the earlier seasons, which featured memorable games like Red Light, Green Light, Tug of War, Marbles, and the Glass Bridge.
Another disappointment was the number of character deaths, especially how much focus was given to less relevant characters while more compelling ones were sidelined.
Some of the game rules also didn’t make much sense, and that really pulled me out of the experience. The pacing was off, too long, awkward pauses, and scenes where not much happened made the episodes drag. It seemed like a lot of screen time was wasted.
That said, I did enjoy the “baby” twist, as it sparked tension between the players.
Did I enjoy the ending? No.
I would’ve much preferred a different direction. The execution felt rushed, poorly thought out, and ultimately disappointing.
Rating
Will There Be a Squid Game Season 4?
After the Squid Game Season 3 finale, many fans are wondering if there’s going to be a Season 4.
The short answer is no.
While there was a surprise Easter egg hinting at a possible American edition of Squid Game, and a high-profile celebrity cameo in the final episode sparked rumors of a spin-off, the show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, has confirmed there are no plans for a continuation.
In an interview with Variety, Dong-hyuk stated that the cameo is “not related to that.”
He went on to explain the message behind the season in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, saying: “What I hope people take away is that we all get hurt and betrayed by others, which can lead to hatred, but we still have to carry on and live together in society.
“We have to try to understand each other, to keep our dignity and work towards harmony. If we can do that — work together with others, no matter what we’ve been through — we may see a future with less division and conflict. That’s where hope lies.”
Dong-hyuk had always planned to end the series with Season 3.
Last July, he confirmed this in a letter to fans, writing: “I am beyond excited to be writing this letter to announce the date for season 2 and share the news of season 3, the final season.”
“I am thrilled to see the seed that was planted in creating a new Squid Game grow and bear fruit through the end of this story.”
The goal was to bring closure, especially to Gi-hun’s character arc, and leave the audience with a final message.
In a separate interview with Netflix’s Tudum, Dong-hyuk explained: “As I began to write and develop the storylines for seasons 2 and 3, I realised I needed a resolution that would bring both the game and Gi-hun’s journey to a close.
“I need to wrap up Gi-hun’s journey and convey a message to the audience right now. The message I wanted to communicate was that if we solely pursue our immediate self-interest, and refuse to self-restrain, sacrifice, or bear any costs, and if we don’t put our heads together, we have no future.”
So while future spin-offs aren’t completely off the table, the main story of Squid Game officially ends with Season 3.
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