The third season of Squid Game has finally arrived, bringing a wave of mixed emotions. With ratings around 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, the sequel has sparked a storm of reactions. Some praise the emotional depth and intensity of scenes, while others argue the series has lost the original magic and sharp social critique that made it a global phenomenon.
A large number of new characters were introduced, but many remained underdeveloped, making it hard to connect with them. The pacing is often too fast and jumpy, leaving little room for deeper understanding of key events. Instead of psychological tension, spectacular action scenes now dominate, which some see as an attempt to expand the franchise at the expense of quality.
The story follows Gi-hun, who tries to sabotage the game system from within, though he is broken in spirit after the deaths of many, including his longtime friend. The games are more brutal than ever, with players turning against each other, revealing the worst sides of their personalities. The emotional highlight is the bond between Gi-hun and Jun-ho, a pregnant girl he protects at all costs.
The ending is shocking: Gi-hun sacrifices his life so the baby can become the winner, while the Front Man, previously a cold organizer, switches sides and helps Gi-hun. The game island is destroyed, and the series ends with the appearance of American actress Cate Blanchett as a recruiter, clearly hinting at a spin-off and commercialization of the franchise.
Fans are divided — some see this as a worthy end to the saga, others claim the series lost its identity and became another Netflix attempt to cash in on popularity, sacrificing quality. Is this the end or just the beginning of a new Squid Game era? Drop your thoughts, maybe your theory will clear it all up!
