Squid Game Season 3 Review: A Dark, Emotional Finale That Ties the Threads — Imperfect Yet Satisfying

Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-shim, Jo Yu-ri, Lee David, Roh Jae-won

Creator: Hwang Dong-hyuk

Netflix’s global sensation Squid Game returns for one last outing with Season 3, and while it doesn’t quite reach the soaring highs of its debut, it brings the dystopian tale to a close in a way that is both thematically powerful and emotionally resonant. After a shaky second season that raised concerns about narrative fatigue and tonal inconsistency, the third and final season comes across as a worthy send-off — flawed but impactful.

The Setup

Season 3 picks up after the failed rebellion led by Seong Gi-hun, who finds himself broken and withdrawn. But as the brutal games persist under tighter scrutiny, Gi-hun is forced to re-engage. Elsewhere, Detective Hwang Jun-ho inches closer to the mysterious island, and a disillusioned guard plots an audacious escape. The season unfolds as these storylines converge in high-stakes fashion.

A Faster, Riskier Pace

Clocking in at just six episodes, the season adopts a brisker pace, which adds tension but also limits the depth it can explore. While this keeps the momentum alive, it results in a trade-off — there are fewer games this time, and as a consequence, the novelty that once defined Squid Game starts to wear thin. Some segments drag or feel too familiar, while others move too quickly to fully register.

The Emotional Core: Gi-hun’s Arc

What elevates the season is Seong Gi-hun’s deeply personal journey. Lee Jung-jae once again anchors the show with a nuanced performance that makes the viewer care not just about survival, but about redemption, grief, and conscience. His emotional arc adds substance to the spectacle and reminds us why we got hooked in the first place — the humanity behind the horror.

Bolder Themes, Sharper Message

Season 3 is also Squid Game’s most direct critique of capitalism, class warfare, and the voyeurism of wealth. It ditches subtlety in favor of sharp commentary, almost mocking modern consumerism with its bloody satire. While this may feel heavy-handed at times, it’s undeniably effective.

Final Verdict

Is Season 3 perfect? Not quite. It leans on gore a bit too often, suffers from moments of predictability, and stretches believability in parts. But it succeeds where it matters most — giving a meaningful conclusion, provoking thought, and delivering one last round of emotional punches. It may not be as groundbreaking as Season 1, but it’s a finale that respects the story it started.

Squid Game may be ending (for now), but with the door left ajar for possible spin-offs or continuations, it’s clear this isn’t a full goodbye. And for fans, that’s not a bad thing at all.