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.
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.
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