Squid Game 3: A flawed but fierce farewell

The wait is finally over. After endless theories, cryptic hints, and fans all over the world holding their breath, Squid Game is back with its third season — and it might just be Netflix's most hyped series ever. Since its explosive start, the Korean survival drama has grown into a global obsession, not just a show. 

Now, the game returns with even deadlier stakes and darker secrets, forcing players to gamble with their morals as much as their lives. Released on 27 June, this final season wraps up director and screenwriter Hwang Dong-hyuk's addictively brutal show. 

The six-episode finale picks up right where season two left off, delivering sharp social critiques, stunning performances, and jaw-dropping visuals — a gripping, if slightly flawed, goodbye to a game that shook the world.

Deadlier games, deeper stakes

'Squid Game 3' continues the series's core premise: a group of financially desperate players compete in deadly children's games for a massive cash prize, but right after a major rebellion.

The narrative introduces new games while escalating the stakes with brutal rules.

The plot explores themes such as sacrifice, greed, and the human capacity for hope, all while drawing parallels between reality and fiction.

In 'Squid Game 3', the dialogue hits hard, and Hwang Dong-hyuk's writing shines brightest when characters are forced to face impossible choices, their words trembling with fear or burning with defiance. 

The script really shines when it throws characters into tough moral corners, pushing them to question what they truly stand for, often at a heartbreaking cost. 

The best example of this is perhaps in the episode, 'Humans Are…' where Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) says, "We are not horses." 

The line is simple, but it carries the weight of the whole show. All of Gi-hun's anger and grief lie in those words. 

Perhaps one of the memorable moments is during the final game, where the players create a faux democratic system. While the old men bicker and debate who to kill first, it feels like the show takes a step out of fiction and begins to mimic reality, and how the lives of innocent people cling to the whims of self-proclaimed leaders.

However, the show is not perfect. The subplots felt half-baked, and at times, the lines felt more like lectures rather than genuine dialogues. 

Viewers love this series because each player felt human, and their back stories made you care. Even though we only get a glimpse of the Front Man's past, we don't quite get to see his story from his lens. Ultimately, the show failed when it came to its biggest strength.

A new side to beloved characters

The only aspect that makes season three feel like an independent season is the sudden yet palpable shift in many of the beloved characters from season two. 

Early on in the season, Seong Gi-hun is weighed down by guilt and barely talks. This side to him–mute and hopeless–feels like a huge contrast to the determination he enters the second games with. Yet, the actor encompasses all his anger in his silent expressions.

Im Si-wan, as Lee Myung-gi (Player 333), delivers a perfect mix of charm and selfishness, turning his character into someone you can't help but understand, even as you hate his choices. 

Jo Yu-ri brings tenderness and vulnerability to Kim Jun-hee (Player 222), creating one of the most touching storylines this season. 

However, the best performance perhaps goes to Kang Ae-shim as Jang Geum-ja. When Gi-hun's flame goes out, Geum-ja becomes the torchbearer and takes up the role as the protector and leader in her own way.

She protects Jun-hee, begs people to end the games during votes, and looks after Gi-hun, giving him the final lecture that gets him back on his feet. 

Sets that feel alive

The cinematography, led by director of photography No Ju-han, is a standout, elevating 'Squid Game 3' into a visual masterpiece. 

The colour palette—dominated by stark contrasts of neon greens, pinks, and sterile whites—amplifies the dystopian atmosphere, while dynamic camera movements heighten the tension during action sequences.

The framing of key emotional moments is particularly striking, with close-ups that linger on characters' faces in their final moments, conveying unspoken pain or resolve.

Perhaps the most clever scene was when the group of players looked between Min-su and Gi-hun, pondering who to sacrifice first. When they stare at Min-su, the whole group is in frame. However, when they turn to Gi-hun, Myung-gi is hidden behind another player, showing that he is not against Gi-hun.

The action scenes in 'Squid Game 3' are a total rush, carefully choreographed and packed with real danger.

The visual effects are just as strong as the arenas — from towering structures to maze-like traps — look terrifyingly real. While most of the effects are impressive, there are a few sloppy computer-generated additions that catch you off guard.

Even though the season feels darker and more violent than ever, it pushes those extremes and ends up losing some of the sharp social commentary that made season one so iconic. 

Some plot twists feel forced, and side stories feel rushed, distracting from the main story instead of enriching it. The script can get preachy at times, and certain side characters don't get the love they deserve, leaving the whole thing feeling a bit messy. 

Compared to the tight and shocking first season, this finale can come off as repetitive, like it's desperately trying to recapture old magic.

Still, with its gripping performances, jaw-dropping games, and gorgeous cinematography, it's a brutal yet memorable send-off.