Since its debut in September 2021, Squid Game has become a cultural phenomenon. The South Korean thriller exploded in popularity worldwide, breaking Netflix records and sparking discussions about capitalism, inequality, and human nature. Its unique concept and gripping story hooked millions. After two intense seasons, the third and final season launched on June 27, 2025, with sky-high expectations.
But did it live up to the hype? The answer, surprisingly, is mixed. While some praise its emotional depth and bold choices, many fans and critics found the latest season disappointing.
Gi-hun returns to the deadly games with a mission to dismantle the system. New challenges like the “Hide and Seek” game mix with familiar deadly contests. The season dives into the fates of new characters like Jun-hee, who gives birth during the games, Geum-ja’s tragic sacrifices, and Gi-hun’s ultimate, controversial decision.
One of the biggest reasons fans felt let down by the latest season was its controversial ending. Unlike the first season, which closed with a clear and emotionally resonant resolution, Season 3 opted for a much darker and more ambiguous finale. The plot culminated in Gi-hun, the protagonist, making the heartbreaking decision to sacrifice himself to save a newborn baby who ultimately becomes the game’s champion. This choice divided audiences. Many criticized it as emotionally forced and unconvincing, arguing that it stripped away the agency and significance of adult characters, particularly women, who had been largely sidelined by that point in the story.
Another major disappointment for fans was the apparent shift in tone and focus. The original Squid Game was praised for its sharp social commentary on economic inequality, capitalism, and the lengths people will go to survive in an unjust system. The games themselves were deeply symbolic, and each challenge carried thematic weight that reinforced the story’s critique.
By contrast, Season 3 leaned heavily into graphic violence and shocking twists but lost much of the original’s incisive social critique. Critics pointed out that the new games lacked the creativity and meaningful symbolism that made the first season so compelling. Instead, the series sometimes felt like a typical survival thriller, relying on gore and spectacle rather than the thought-provoking narratives that had earned it acclaim. This tonal drift disappointed viewers who had hoped for a more profound continuation of the themes that initially set Squid Game apart.
Character development, a strong suit in earlier seasons, suffered in the final installment. Many new characters introduced in Season 3, such as Jun-hee and Geum-ja, had dramatic and tragic storylines but lacked the depth and emotional buildup to make their fates truly impactful. Some viewers felt rushed through key moments, which weakened the emotional payoff.
The pacing also came under fire. With only six episodes, the season struggled to balance action sequences, character arcs, and world-building. This led to some rushed plotlines and underexplored motivations, leaving audiences confused or disconnected. Fans expressed disappointment that the final season didn’t take enough time to develop its complex ideas and characters fully.
The response to Season 3 on social media and review platforms highlighted the dissatisfaction. On Reddit and Twitter, many viewers openly criticized the ending, calling it “stupid,” “anticlimactic,” or “forced.” Some accused the show of prioritizing shock value over storytelling coherence.
Critics offered mixed reviews. While many acknowledged the season’s high production values and emotional moments, they noted that the story sometimes felt uneven and lacked the powerful critique that defined the earlier seasons. Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 83% critic score but highlighted the polarized audience reactions.
Squid Game revolutionized television with its fresh concept and social relevance. The final season, however, revealed the difficulties of sustaining such a complex narrative and meeting massive audience expectations.
Despite the backlash, Squid Game remains an important series that sparked global conversations about inequality, survival, and human nature. The final season may have disappointed many, but its legacy as a groundbreaking phenomenon is undeniable.
Leave a Reply