This review may contain spoilers
Aimless
It was pretty obvious after watching S2 that seasons 2 and 3 were basically one season split into two parts, and now that we've seen both of them, I felt like the set-up didn't end up paying off.I can kind of see what they're going with the nihilism theme, but it ultimately feels a bit shallow and not very coherent. There were a lot of character arcs that were randomly cut off because the story went for the route of everyone having to die, and side characters with originally really interesting roles, like the detective or the guard, ended up being really underutilized. It also felt everything started revolving around the baby once it was born — a trope that's always been a pet peeve of mine.
In terms of games, I think my favorite in this one was the jump rope because of its simplicity — I personally enjoy where there's no ill will in the game itself, and death only happens in terms of failure, which is when people start to sabotage others. The Keys and Knives one is a little too on the nose for me.
Ultimately, I think the first season is still the best. The second and third feel like a rehashing of it, with characters and games that are far less engaging.
And yes, the VIPs are still horrible.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Why did I insist on watching this?
Curiosity can be quite treacherous. I didn’t like the ending of season 2. The protagonist’s plan was so bad and unrealistic that it ruined my entire experience with the rest of the season. I still believe they should’ve stopped at season 1, but money always talks louder. So, I decided to watch season 3 out of curiosity — and the experience got even worse, to the point that I couldn’t finish it.The protagonist’s plan ruined season 2 for me, but that happened at the end. What made me quit season 3 was the ending of episode 4 (if I’m not mistaken). Here’s the point: the protagonist starts season 3 wanting revenge on player 388 for not bringing back the ammo (smart move, actually, because the plan was terrible). He dedicated himself to killing him during the hide-and-seek game — and he did it (detail: he murdered him with his bare hands). Now cut to the end of episode 4: when the Front Man gives the protagonist a dagger and says he can kill everyone plotting his and the baby’s death, episode 5 opens with player 067 from season 1 appearing in his vision and telling him that he’s “not that kind of person,” which makes him give up. Now I ask: how is he not that kind of person? Just a few episodes ago, he strangled someone to death out of revenge. Why wouldn’t he be capable of killing out of self-defense, which is a much more legitimate motivation? This attempt to re-humanize the protagonist made no sense at all.
Another point that bothered me — although less than the previous one: the Front Man constantly tries to prove to the protagonist that no one is 100% honest, as if honesty depended on the circumstances. That’s why he puts the protagonist in the same situations he went through as a player, believing he was forced to commit atrocities to save his sick daughter (like killing those who wanted him dead while they were asleep). When he talks to the protagonist alone before the final game, he asks: “Do you still have faith in humanity?” Here I see more inconsistencies. First, the protagonist had already been corrupted when he decided to coldly murder someone out of revenge (which contradicts his supposed moral principles, because someone who doesn’t have the courage to kill in self-defense certainly wouldn’t kill for revenge). Second, player 120 already proved that good people exist regardless of the circumstances when he chose to lose the hide-and-seek game to save a woman who had just given birth, a newborn, and an elderly lady — even though he was wounded and his life was at risk. Player 222 did too, when she told the protagonist to prioritize taking care of her daughter instead of going back to help her cross the bridge. So, if I was able to spot these glaring inconsistencies so quickly, I’m sure the writers noticed them too. Why weren’t they fixed? I’m sure they could’ve been worked around. A show with that kind of reputation can’t afford these kinds of errors.
Unfortunately, I didn’t finish the last two episodes. I shouldn’t have even started.
Was this review helpful to you?
Despite flaws, it is still exciting and addictive
Okay, S3 has several glaring moles and holes, but it's worth watching it if you are a fan. No matter how good the story or ending is, if a show or movie fails to entertain me, I call it boring and won't waste my time on it. S3 kept me intrigued, surprised, and eager to binge-watch throughout the entire episodes. The 6 hours flew by like only 3 hours. I like that the plot takes an unexpected turn every chance it gets, away from our prediction. My biggest gripe is the downgraded quality of the entire VIP part. It was criticized so much from S1, and it could have been improved fairly easily by hiring a native English translator and real actors. Everything about it is embarrassingly bad and not up to global standards.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Very strange season finale
This Season 3 had the impossible task of closing one of the most globally successful shows of the decade and while it had flashes of brilliance, I walked away feeling a bit conflicted. The intensity was still there, and the emotional stakes felt heavier than ever, but the pacing and structure felt rushed. The season picked up right after Season 2 but jumped between plotlines so quickly that some scenes lost their impact. The new games were brutal, but compared to the psychological edge of Season 1, this felt more chaotic than suspenseful. I could see what the writers wanted to say, but it didn’t always land with the same weight.Character-wise, this season gave some good moments, but others felt badly handled. Gi-hun remained a strong emotional core, but his arc started to feel repetitive and forced by the final episodes. The Front Man (In-ho) a character I was hoping would be explored more but ended up sidelined again, with barely ten minutes of screen time. That was a huge letdown, especially after the buildup around his story. Jun-ho’s subplot? Wasted. I was also disappointed by how quickly some characters were reduced to stereotypes especially like Myung-gi/ player 333 turning evil with barely any build-up. Jun-hee and the baby twist added emotional layers, but the “symbolism” felt heavy-handed and left many wondering if the ending leaned more into messaging than coherent storytelling.
By the time the finale came, I was both moved and frustrated. The emotional scenes hit especially the sacrifices but the wrap-up didn’t feel like a true conclusion. A lot of plot threads were left hanging or rushed through. I've read some reviews and some fans found it “bittersweet,” but for me, it felt more like a spin-off setup than a satisfying end. That said, it wasn’t a bad season just uneven. The cast delivered strong performances, and I respect the creators for not playing it safe. But overall, Season 3 felt like it aimed high and hit halfway. It’s a decent farewell with standout moments, but one that could’ve been much more with tighter writing and better use of its characters.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Give us a Squid Game prequel for the Frontman
For storytelling purposes, I will treat season 1 and season 2 & 3 as two separate arcs.I strongly believe that season 1 was an outstanding masterpiece that could have ended the series like that. The raw nature, the new elements and the plot twists where seemingly "good" people become selfish as the game progresses - this is the core of humanity, egoistic after all.
I was truly hoping for season 2 & 3 to keep up in a similar manner. I believe that the second arc purposefully implemented comedic elements (looking at you Jeon Seok Ho) to reach an even broader audience. But that did kind of harm the cruel atmosphere that was supposed to reign on the island.
The games were exciting, the ones in season 3 re-taking some elements from season 1 (the VIP stage, the big arenas, the suits in the final game, the music etc.) and made them more thrilling than in season 2. My only concern was the shallowness of some support characters from the final game. They were supposed to have the most screen time (being alive the longest) but most of their characters lacked proper development. I could not find myself being attached (loving or hating) characters in the same way as in season 1.
I truly had mixed feelings, ups and downs throughout season 3 but I was generally really happy to see some elements that really worked in season 1, resurface in this season. The side arc with Detective Hwang was also dragged on, eventually leading to an anti-climatic encounter ("Why?") with his brother.
While I really appreciated the last episode's parallel development that could have lead to a big climatic finale, I do feel like the last 15 minutes (aka the real ending) felt a bit rushed and undecided. I personally do not have a problem with seeing Squid Game recruiting in Los Angeles, because I don't really believe as US adaptation makes sense anyway.
The thing that left me the most curious though were the scenes with the Frontman / Player 132 in his first games where he was handed the knife, the same way he handed it to player 456 in 2024's games.
I was genuinely curious about the older editions of Squid games and believe this could be a huge success if a prequel to Squid Games could be announced - with Player 132 in a very grim scenario and to go deeper into his backstory, possible with his brother too. That could further depict his character development and how it lead to him being who he is today, alongside his morals that changed immensily among the journey.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
it was not a story of a warrior. it's the reality of the society.
I was pretty disappointed with the ending, but after giving it some thought, I realized that it reflects reality. The show was trending globally, so we all expected much more — maybe even a happy ending. But how can we call it a happy ending after so many characters were killed? Still, I wished the detective would catch the VIPs.But we forgot that the show was about harsh realities, raw emotions, and the vulnerability of human beings. Till the end, they were fighting for money. Nobody trusted each other; it was all betrayal. That’s what life is.We wanted the detective to arrest or kill the bad people and stop the game forever, but in reality, that’s never going to happen. The rich are always protected, and the poor are always exploited. We can’t change a corrupt system unless everyone understands the situation and stands against it. That was the theme from season 1.How many times did they vote to continue the game? They never came together to stop it. In-ho wanted Gi-hun to act like him by killing everyone else, but in the end, he realized that not all humans are the same.Gi hun sacrificed his life for a baby.We can blame fate for forcing us to do something bad, but in reality, it is we who commit those acts not our fate.
episode 2 was portrayed really well. After the birth of the baby the episodes were little draggy but that was because we expected some cliffhanger and adventurous twists but they show was emotionally wrapping up.it was not a story of a warrior. it's the reality of the society.
It was an emotional rollercoaster. it showed reality but we wanted more fun , more plot twists like the vips . may be here we were the vips.
Was this review helpful to you?
Human is...
The story is the continuation of the 2nd season, where the main character is still alive and has to finish the game. He failed to sabotage and now He must survive with a little support from his people. It's ended this season, but it seems like there is another season in another country if you watch the extras. There are several new games that are quite interesting to see how they end.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
MESSY WRITING
The plot follows the usual Squid Game formula, so there’s not much to say about it. The writing, in my opinion, is a bit messy. They just kept adding random elements and then left the rest hanging.The best part of this series is the casting. I think the cast did a great job portraying their characters, even with the lack of proper storytelling. A great example is Player 333 — the actor did a fantastic job making him look sympathetic despite the ridiculous choices his character made. The writers could’ve explored his character more and given us more of his point of view, but instead, they just left it at that.
Character development, overall, is where the series most noticeably stumbles. Given that viewers are already familiar with the structure of the game, this season had a unique opportunity to pivot toward emotional exploration — to humanize the contestants and reveal how trauma reshapes them. Some characters, like the mother who chooses to save another player over her own child, are presented with dramatic potential that ultimately goes unexamined. These moments could have elevated the series, but instead feel hollow without context or introspection
The introduction of the so-called “true villains” — largely white, wealthy spectators — feels unsubtle and politically charged. Their portrayal veers into caricature, lacking complexity or nuance. Strikingly, the group is devoid of any Black characters, a choice that raises questions about representational intent. The inclusion of a token Asian character among them appears more like a safeguard against criticism than a meaningful decision.
Cate Blanchett’s cameo, while star-studded, adds little to the narrative. Her presence feels like a marketing move rather than a story-driven choice, and the final episode suffers from poor pacing and an abrupt, unsatisfying conclusion.
In the end, it's the actors — particularly Hyunjun — who keep this season afloat. Their commitment to their roles compensates for much of the narrative's inconsistency. Without such strong casting, the season would risk being forgettable.
Was this review helpful to you?
a Saga comes to an End - or does it?
Review of Season 3 & Series Overall➥ About Season 3:
Seasons 2 and 3, for me are one story split in two, and Season 3 offers a somewhat satisfying conclusion. It was not perfect - I don't think it ever can be, but it at least concludes by answering major questions & storylines, while diving deeper into the show's grim theme: Do you still believe in humanity? Gi-Hun seems to give us hope—until the final scene flips that, leaving us questioning if real change is ever possible. It’s haunting, smart, and uncomfortably close to our own reality.
➥ Downside of Season 2 and 3:
While Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3 offered deeper emotional themes and philosophical reflections, they lacked the razor-sharp focus that made Season 1 unforgettable. The thrill of the games—the unpredictability, the nail-biting tension, the gut-punch reveals—was replaced with slower pacing and broader commentary. Unlike Season 1, where every game, scene and character is etched into memory, these later seasons faded quicker, more subdued in impact.
Characters like Thanos, Hyun Ju (#120), and Myeon Gi (#333) had intriguing setups but never got their full arc. The addition of the baby felt more odd than impactful, we all knew how the story would end given the baby's entry. And the unresolved arc of Jun Ho, after everything he endured, left a sense of disappointment - I mean he still did not get the answer from his brother. While Seasons 2 and 3 asked meaningful questions, they traded too much of the original's brilliance for introspection, resulting in something that felt more like a quiet epilogue than a worthy continuation.
➥ Overall:
Like many fans, I feel Seasons 2 and 3 were ultimately unnecessary. The story could have a fitting conclusion in Season 1 with Gi-Hun reuniting with his family, detective brother being lost having realized where his missing brother was.
The creators made good use of the show's hype to earn more money, which makes sense from a business point of view—but as someone who cared about the story, it feels disappointing. From what we’ve seen in the final scene, it looks like there will be more spin-offs and the Games might continue outside South Korea. I’m not too excited about that, but let’s be honest—anyone who has watched Squid Game, whether they liked it or not, will probably watch the next one too, just to see what’s different. And that’s exactly what the makers are counting on - it is a cash-cow for them at the end.
Was this review helpful to you?
Big names but no story
The story picks up from season 2 and goes nowhere at all. So many good actors with great potential but the story messed it all up. First season was very good i loved the ending most of all. Season 2 althought disappointing gave us hope of a better story in season 3. We all thought loose ends will come together and things will make sense. But Nope it goes nowhere at all. Don’t waste your precious time and don’t bother watching it. It is one of the worst kdramas in history despite having a stellar cast.Was this review helpful to you?
Crazy how hated this is
Whilst it's definitely true that it missed out on some development, it was by no means bad show. The way some people think that this was a 1-2/10 just seems like an emotional outburst of a pubescent teen rather then a legitimate criticism.At the end of the day, the show was pretty good, with the first few episodes especially shining, with great symbolism and tension. The ending too, whilst it is criticised, I feel it tied nicely with the cynical themes of the show.
Was this review helpful to you?
Highly disappointed with such an ending!
Sadly my expectations were beyond high after last two seasons that somehow they were not being met after watching the last season... it was pretty dry. Out of subject and there were too many loopholes. You can say they didn't give any perfect end to the storyline... not justified that 6 to 7 people are being killed for some ordinary child who was not even in this world yet and trying to save her for human ground.. comeon you're putting your own life on the line for her.. in the end they gave her to Hwang as if he was married or wanting the child badly since long lol... His mother wasn't even present in any scene. Frontman played the game we know though why he is organizing them for no reason? He should go take a therapy or something man. I won't say more as it would give away spoilers but ending wasn't justified for all the characters somehow I felt lack of essence!! Won't recommend season 3 for a re-watch... Still as any other Squid game fan I want the series to come up with more seasons.. but they better should be good ones not alike to season 3!!Was this review helpful to you?
