Squid Game Season 3 Shocks Fans with Dark Twists and Brutal Games You Won’t Believe!

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Note: This review is based on Squid Game season 3 episodes 1-5.

If you worried that the intensity of Squid Game might have diminished following its somewhat lackluster second season, brace yourself for a chilling conclusion that’s so grim it will leave even the most hardened audience members breathless.

Absolutely, stories that rely on elimination, such as The Hunger Games, The X Factor, or The Traitors, tend to gain momentum and become more engaging as they progress. This is because the tension increases with higher stakes, and viewers have had time to develop firm preferences towards the contestants.

Despite the fact that the deaths in season 2 didn’t seem as impactful as those in the first season (except for the tragic demise of our favorite rap monarch, Thanos, whom I deeply miss), it’s still heartening to know that Squid Game can still provide those shocking, emotional blows we were initially captivated by.

It could be argued that some of the exceptional episodes from the recent release should not have been excluded, as they seem to align more with season 2 continuation rather than a genuine third installment. However, their high-quality presentation effectively counters any concerns about deceptive marketing tactics.

Starting with episode 2 in season 3, Squid Game will keep you guessing and tugging at your heartstrings, landing powerful emotional punches that range from jabs to uppercuts, all the way up to its gut-wrenching second-to-last installment – a situation that leaves only a handful of players in a terrifying dilemma.

If you’re eagerly seeking an opinion on the final episode, unfortunately, your search continues: At the moment I’m composing this critique a week prior to its release, and there’s no sign of the last installment just yet. Given that Netflix is holding it back for as long as they can, it’s not surprising that they’re keeping it under wraps.

If the third season finale of Squid Game maintains the high quality of the previous five episodes, I won’t hesitate to uphold this 4-star rating – and might even consider elevating it to a perfect 5-star review.

Following the climactic events at the end of season 2 (or midway through, if we’re being precise), we find ourselves back with Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) – a man who has been significantly shattered. He bears little resemblance to his former self, struggling to summon even minimal energy for interaction with the other players, except for one exceptionally rare occasion.

When the initial match of the season significantly alters things, it reignites Gi-hun’s flickering hope – revealing too much more at this point would be a spoiler (trust me, there are many surprises yet to unfold).

In a striking display of suspenseful storytelling, the mastermind behind the series, Hwang Dong-hyuk, has meticulously stockpiled an abundance of unsettling plot twists for this climax. These dark and genuinely startling revelations are consistently sprung on the remaining characters in every episode.

In simpler terms, the actors in Squid Game delivered powerful performances, showing intense anguish with great dedication. Although I can’t fully appreciate the nuances since I don’t understand Korean, the emotional impact was strong enough to resonate universally.

Notable characters reappear, such as Park Gyu-young playing Pink Guard No-eul, Park Sung-hoon as Hyun-ju (a character portrayed as a trans woman), Kang Ha-neul as Dae-ho (previously a deserter), and the duo of Kang Ae-shim and Yang Dong-geun as Geum-ja and Yong-sik, who share a mother-son relationship.

As the story unfolds, characters Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun and Lee Byung-hun as In-ho (also known as The Front Man) remain fascinating mirrors of each other. Their struggle for dominance remains unforeseeable even after five episodes.

It’s unfortunate that the quality of the supporting actors in the series seems to detract rather notably, with some English-speaking actors appearing uncomfortable to an extent that surpasses even the discomfort portrayed by Thanos in season 2.

Perhaps long-term watchers recall a playful or exaggerated vibe from these unsavory characters during the first season. However, it seemed to me that after the initial criticism, the casting team might have aimed for more capable actors in future seasons.

By potentially reducing the flow and coherence, it undoubtedly added an element of excitement; however, abruptly introducing these flamboyant, golden-ornamented, martini-sipping super villains seems to douse the suspense and intensity that the game had built up.

Regarding the games, they have significantly improved upon the rather unimpressive collection from season 2, which featured Mingle as the standout game compared to the fragmented six-legged pentathlon and the rehashed version of Red Light, Green Light.

In the initial match, we have an intriguing twist on the classic game of Hide and Seek, which proves to be mentally exhausting as it pushes players into tight spots, both physically and symbolically, fostering intense character exchanges and dramatic climaxes.

Moving forward, we delve into a fantastical domain crafted by creator Hwang, who introduces some rather unsettling machinery – almost reminiscent of Saw under the influence of LSD. The CGI employed in this context effectively materializes the idea, although it’s important to note that it occasionally lacks the smoothness one might expect.

Significantly, the underlying message of violence in Squid Game continues, with Squid Game season 3 appearing to offer a harsh critique of toxic masculinity as a group of ruthless men attempt to assert dominance over events.

In the teenage years, there’s a trend that values disrespect towards women, indifference towards those in pain, and disregard for traditional social norms. This shift is championed by certain influential figures, often referred to as “alpha males,” who operate within harmful digital communities.

It’s hard not to feel like some characters in Season 3 of Squid Game have perhaps spent a tad too much time on platforms where narcissistic views are prevalent, and, just as in reality, they seem to be unwittingly supporting an exclusive few.

Regardless of how the last episode turns out, Hwang’s work deserves acclaim for maintaining the series as pertinent, engaging, and thrilling till the very end, and for mustering the boldness to bring a conclusive end to his involvement in it.

Although Netflix could potentially continue the Squid Game storyline via an anticipated American remake, Hwang’s version seems to be heading towards a suitable conclusion as the last six episodes unfold. These closing installments effectively round up Gi-hun’s tale in haunting and unforeseen manners.

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2025-06-27 11:05