Squid Game Season 3 Review: A Brutal Farewell That Hits Hard

A Realistic and Raw Final Chapter

When Squid Game first dropped, no one could’ve guessed how much it would change conversations around class, greed, and survival. Season 1 was unforgettable, and Season 2 tried to pick up the pieces. Now, Season 3 arrives as the last stretch — and while it's not flawless, it ends the story in a grounded and meaningful way.

Let’s be honest — third seasons usually struggle. Think about any big show. The first season grabs you. The second tries to deepen the world. And by the third, creators either try something bold or play it safe. Squid Game 3 does a bit of both.

A Shorter Season, But Still Intense

With only six episodes, Season 3 moves fast. Sometimes too fast. You blink, and a major character arc has already shifted gears. Much of the story happens outside the games, which gives the plot some breathing room but also makes you miss the twisted creativity of the challenges from earlier seasons.

Still, the tension is there. You never feel like anyone is safe. The Sky Squid Game — a new version of the deadly games — adds fresh drama, even if it lacks the shock factor of the original red light-green light sequence from Season 1.

Gi-hun’s Journey Comes Full Circle

At the heart of it all is Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), the face of the franchise. This time, he’s no longer playing just to survive — he’s protecting something bigger: a baby. That one detail changes everything. He becomes less of a player and more of a father figure, even when it means facing death.

His final moments — choosing to sacrifice himself instead of harming a child — aren't dramatic in the blockbuster sense. But emotionally? They hit hard. It's the kind of moment that makes you pause and think about how small, personal choices can be revolutionary.

In a world where we’re constantly told to put ourselves first — at work, on social media, in relationships — Gi-hun’s decision feels almost rebellious.

What Doesn’t Work

That said, this season isn’t perfect. The pacing feels uneven, especially around the mid-point. There’s a lot happening, but not everything sticks. Some character decisions feel rushed or underdeveloped. The games themselves, once the highlight, now feel like background noise to the larger story.

Also, there’s some reliance on gore to shock viewers — something we’ve already seen enough of in the earlier seasons. At times, you wish the show would just slow down and sit with its emotions a bit more instead of jumping to the next twist.

An Emotional Aftermath

The finale isn’t just about death and winners. It’s about legacy. What happens after the games end? Who remembers the players? We get time jumps, reunions, and even quiet scenes that show how trauma lives on.

No-eul’s story is a standout. She’s a guard trying to reclaim her life after doing terrible things. Her silent moment at the amusement park, giving a lollipop to a child she once helped, says more than any dialogue could.

And then there's the last scene — In-ho spotting a familiar game being played in an alley. It’s not flashy. But it tells us something big: The game may be over for now, but the cycle continues.

Final Thoughts

Squid Game Season 3 doesn’t try to outdo its earlier seasons with flashy twists or high production. Instead, it narrows in on people — their regrets, choices, and small acts of kindness or cruelty. It reminds us that real change doesn’t always come from fighting the system with fists. Sometimes, it’s about protecting one person when it matters most.

Is it a perfect season? No. But is it a fitting end to the story Squid Game has told in the last Two Seasons? Absolutely.