Why “Squid Game” Season 3 Divided Fans: 6 Key Reasons the Final Installment Fell Short
Squid Game Season 3 premiered June 27, 2025—but why did fans feel let down? From Gi‑hun’s blunted arc to cartoonish VIPs, discover the six reasons viewers say the final chapter missed the mark
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The highly anticipated third and final season of Netflix’s global hit “Squid Game” premiered on June 27, 2025, but left fans deeply divided. Here are the six main reasons viewers felt let down:
1. Weak Character Development
Fan-favorites like Detective Jun‑ho and Kang No‑eul were sidelined, with their subplots lacking depth or payoff—leaving audiences feeling disengaged
2. Gi‑hun’s Diminished Arc
Seong Gi‑hun, once the emotional anchor, regressed into passive behavior, fading into the background rather than driving the narrative.
3. Rushed, Underwhelming Finale
The controversial ending—where Gi‑hun sacrifices himself to save a baby—felt predictable and emotionally hollow to many, lacking the unexpected impact of earlier seasons.
4. Caricatured VIPs & Villains
The VIP characters, once threatening and mysterious, were criticized as cartoonish distractions—poorly acted and tonally off compared to Season 1.
5. Inconsistent Subplots
Multiple story threads—from Front Man’s backstory to Jun‑ho’s mission—were left unresolved or faded abruptly, causing narrative fatigue.
6. Technical Missteps
Poor CGI (especially the baby sequence), questionable pacing, and overuse of action clichés diluted the immersive brutality fans loved
