Netflix’s Squid Game & Alice in Borderland Share an 86% RT Score After Their Finales, But 1 Is Definitely Better

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Both *Alice in Borderland* and *Squid Game* have finished their third seasons, and many viewers are debating which series had the stronger ending. The two shows have been constantly compared since they first became popular on Netflix, leading to an unintentional rivalry. Which one offers a more satisfying conclusion, delivers a greater emotional punch, and leaves more room for future stories remains a key question for fans.

Netflix has become well-known for its high-quality original shows and movies, but creating these projects takes a significant amount of time. For example, it’s taken nearly a decade for *Stranger Things* to reach its final season. While *Squid Game* had a relatively quick turnaround between seasons 2 and 3 (less than a year), there was a three-year gap between the first two seasons. Fans of *Alice in Borderland* waited three years between seasons 2 and 3. Now that all three shows have released their final episodes, it’s a good time to compare how each series concluded, especially since they all share a similar Rotten Tomatoes score of 86%.

How Similar are Alice in Borderland & Squid Game?

Both *Alice in Borderland* and *Squid Game* have a lot in common, which is why people often compare them. *Alice in Borderland* is based on a manga and tells the story of Arisu, a young man who’s unexpectedly forced to compete in dangerous games in a deserted Tokyo. Throughout the series, Arisu develops a connection with another player, Usagi. *Squid Game*, a Korean thriller created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, follows Gi-hun, a man struggling with gambling debt. He joins a competition where players risk their lives to win a huge cash prize, and he’s too focused on survival to pursue any romantic relationships.

Both *Alice in Borderland* and *Squid Game* feature players fighting for their survival through a series of games reminiscent of those played in childhood. However, because these shows are set in Japan and Korea, the games—and the consequences of losing—are quite different. *Alice in Borderland* presents complex, mind-bending challenges symbolized by playing cards. *Squid Game*, on the other hand, focuses on simpler, more physical games like Tug of War and the Dalgona Candy challenge, demanding strength and stamina. Failure to complete a game in either series results in immediate death. A key difference is how players are recruited: in *Alice in Borderland*, they are taken by force, while in *Squid Game*, players willingly participate, unaware of the deadly risks.

When it comes to gripping survival thrillers on Netflix, both *Alice in Borderland* and *Squid Game* are strong contenders. They share a lot in common – thrilling, high-stakes games, plenty of action and violence, and a dark, unsettling atmosphere. However, the shows differ in their core themes. *Alice in Borderland* focuses on personal struggles with freedom, morality, and the impact of individual choices, while *Squid Game* is more concerned with broader issues like social injustice, greed, and the ruthless nature of competition.

Alice in Borderland Season 3 Has a Better Finale

Season 3 of *Alice in Borderland* puts Arisu and Usagi to the test once again, but this time they’re part of separate teams. Usagi teams up with players like Ryuji Matsuyama (played by Kento Katu), Sōta Itsuki (Joey Iwanaga), and Yuna Itsuki (Akana Ikeda), while Arisu’s group includes Rei Morikage (Tina Tamashiro), Nobuaki Hida (Kotaro Daigo), and Kazuya (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi). The season begins with Usagi’s kidnapping, and she chooses to re-enter the Borderlands. This new batch of episodes is set five years after the events of Season 2, revealing that Arisu and Usagi are now married. Notably, Season 3 features an entirely original story, as Season 2 concluded the adaptation of the source manga.

The season ends with Arisu attempting to sacrifice himself to save Usagi and their friends. Both Banda and Ryuji try to kill him and Usagi, but fail. Then, the Watchman reveals the Joker is just a figurehead and warns of an even bigger disaster coming to Japan. The final scenes include brief appearances from beloved characters from earlier seasons, and show Arisu and Usagi expecting a child. The very last shot reveals news reports of an earthquake in the United States, with a server’s name tag visible that reads “Alice.”

The ending of *Squid Game* Season 3 mirrored a similar outcome seen in *Alice in Borderland* Season 3, and viewers noticed the connection when the latest season of *Alice in Borderland* was released. Early in *Squid Game* Season 3, a player named Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri) has a baby. After Jun-hee’s death, the baby becomes a participant in the game, and Gi-hun dedicates the rest of the season to protecting it. In the final scene, with only Gi-hun and the baby remaining, Gi-hun sacrifices himself to save the baby, powerfully declaring to In-ho and the VIPs that the players are people, not objects. In-ho then rescues the baby as the island is destroyed. The final shot reveals that these deadly games aren’t limited to Korea; they are also happening in the United States.

When comparing the finales of the Netflix thrillers *Alice in Borderland* Season 3 and *Squid Game*, *Alice in Borderland* delivers a more impactful conclusion. While Gi-hun’s attempt at heroism is admirable, his final speech feels emotionally flat and doesn’t quite justify the ending. *Squid Game*’s choice to have a child win the games feels like a convenient way out after everything the characters endured. In contrast, *Alice in Borderland* uses the idea of an unborn child as a motivating factor, but ultimately focuses on Arisu’s love for Usagi as the driving force behind their survival, making for a more satisfying resolution.

Both the third seasons of *Alice in Borderland* and *Squid Game* aim for hopeful endings, but they share a common weakness. Instead of keeping the dangerous games limited to Japan and Korea, the shows hint at expanding the story to the United States and potentially even further. While an international scope sounds interesting, it weakens the original stories and feels more like a way to make more money than a natural continuation of the plot.

Squid Game’s Characters are More Developed

Both *Alice in Borderland* and *Squid Game* have many characters, but while *Alice in Borderland* Season 3 has a stronger finale, *Squid Game* does a better job of developing its characters. The main character in *Squid Game*, Gi-hun, changes a lot throughout the series. He starts as someone who seems naive and out of touch, but he becomes brave, smart, thoughtful, and dedicated to what he believes in.

As a big fan of both shows, I’ve been thinking about Arisu from *Alice in Borderland* and Gi-hun from *Squid Game*. Arisu really grows throughout his series – he starts off kind of lost and not particularly impressive, but quickly becomes a really resourceful and morally grounded person. Honestly, I think Arisu is the more effective survivor when you just look at skills. But when it comes to who’s a more compelling *character* – someone you really feel for and understand – Gi-hun definitely has the edge. He’s just a much more fleshed-out and emotionally resonant person.

The supporting characters in both *Alice in Borderland* and *Squid Game* share similar roles. Characters like Usagi are likable, but her main defining trait is arguably the death of her father. Similarly, Mira Kanō, the Queen of Hearts in Season 2, is a strong and commanding figure who runs intense games, yet she feels more like a tool to move the story forward than a fully developed character.

Unlike some shows, *Squid Game* consistently features characters – both major and minor – who feel important and make you care about what happens to them. In season 3, the character of MG Coin (played by Im Si-wan) is particularly compelling and captivating. While the showdown between MG Coin and Gi-hun is difficult to watch, Im Si-wan’s performance is a highlight of the series. Ali Abdul (Anupam Tripathi) and Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-yeon) are other excellent examples of well-developed characters who add depth beyond the main storyline.

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2025-10-11 04:37