Season 3 was not quite what I thought ˎˊ˗ 

07/06/25  

❛ Squid Game S3 Review ❜ 

Contains spoilers

Squid game season 2 topped off season 1 quite nicely, raising many fans' expectations higher. The fact that season 3 was mostly a plateau in quality and plot to season 2 led to overall disappointment. However, I didn't find the season particularly unpleasant. It may not have been the over-the-top masterpiece to further top off the previous season, but it was doable, and aligned quite well with the franchise overall.

I would give the 3rd season itself about a 3.5/5 rating. The cinematography, angles, colour grading, and general quality was quite pleasing to the eye; nearly on par with the previous season (though I definitely enjoyed the subtle play on colour and visual elements more S2). The notorious CGI baby was not the best, and the dubbing for the VIP was not the best either, though. Speaking of the VIPs, I enjoyed the extra screen time on them. The acting was excellent overall, albeit a bit more awkward for the VIPs. I especially liked the last scene, when 456 made his statement to the VIPs, and the lighting dawning on them as they stood in silence. That was quite cool. The ending of the season was pretty on point with the show's identity as well; implying that Squid Game is never quite over — in fact the ideology spreads on forever. 

I do think the plot, though consistent with season 2, played it a bit safe, though. The season was expected to exceed the same content as season 2. From the start of season 3, with the failed coup d'état, I already felt myself gradually drifting from the show. It wasn't as engaging, for sure, and failed to immediately capture my attention. I kept watching solely due to the fact that I enjoyed the last two seasons. 

The rebel had a lot of potential to grow into something more significant. The extensive screen time on the boats also had humongous potential to be used in a larger scheme. A lot of factors could have been fleshed out, but weren't. 

A lot of characters seemed to have died for the sake of the plot, and this was especially unhelpful considering the underwhelming screen time in season 2 to develop emotional connections to the new set of players. If this season was going to be the same as the previous, then I believe the players should have been a lot more nuanced and took up more screen time. For example, with the trans girl, her character was given these super cool military skills and athleticism. I don't think the death she got was fitting of her. As such a powerful character, she could have definitely contributed to the plot further. I also felt like they just got rid of the old lady. This was already a previous problem when they got rid of Thanos so early in season 2 as well, I think (and the bee girl, I half-jest). 

The issue with this is that at the very end, we're stuck with 6 finalists who are — I'm going to be brutally honest — just a bunch of randos. This does not help with the retention of viewers. It would have been so much more intriguing if characters we developed stronger attachment to were finalists, like in season 1. In this season, we're left with a group of unfamiliar players whom we unconsciously wish to be eliminated en lieu of the three familiar characters we know within the finalists; it's just not ideal. 

On the topic of this wasted potential on certain characters' screen time, let's talk about where it went in the plot. I'll give you a hint: two boats. Two nuisance boats that genuinely did not ultimately contribute anything meaningful. I wonder: was this just a way to give Wi Hajoon more screen time? They ended up mostly dying too, for nothing. This side mission was futile and took away from more important scenes in the main plot. Why donate screen time to another branch of the story when the trunk of the story so far is not thick? I really do wonder.

Squid game was never optimistic. We knew this from the start, when 067 died. Similarly, when Jung Bae died in season 2. When fans had hope for several characters surviving in season 3 (the trans player, the mother and son, 222 and 333 and their baby, and 456), it was already doomed from the start. Having such positive expectations set for season 3 ultimately made the reality seem a lot harsher, which contributed to a general negative reception of that new season, I believe (it was unlikely for the show's core identity). 

There actually was a possibility for several characters to have survived, but it was a risky move for the plot, and honestly, I think the writers decided to play it safe this round (no pun intended!!), much to my (and many others') disappointment.

The season plateaued, in my opinion. It wasn't the best, but I guess it wasn't a total flop either.

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