There’s a weird kind of sadness in watching a show you were once obsessed with start to fall apart. Squid Game used to be the show everyone was talking about, and for good reasons. It was sharp, intense, and had something real to say. But Season 3? It just doesn’t hit the same. It’s like the show is trying to outdo itself, but forgetting what made it work in the first place. And somewhere along the way, it loses the plot.
The Return of Gi-hun… But to What End?
Season 3 kicks off with Gi-hun now laser-focused on revenge. After everything he’s lost, you’d expect a deeper, more intense exploration of his transformation. But the story doesn’t really dig into what Gi-hun’s going through. It’s like the show wants us to believe he’s changed, but it doesn’t show us how. One moment he’s grieving, the next he’s on some dark mission, and it just… happens. There’s no slow burn, no emotional buildup. Just a lot of brooding looks and dramatic lines that feel like they’re trying too hard. It ends up feeling like the writers decided, “Okay, now he’s the angry hero,” and moved on.
The Games Are Deadlier, But Not Smarter
Visually, the games this season are on another level, huge sets, wild mechanics, and a clear jump in budget. But the creativity? Not quite. The first season made us think, made us tense. Now it’s just violence in high definition. There’s little tension, less meaning, and barely any payoff. At some point, it stops feeling like survival and starts looking like spectacle for spectacle’s sake.
Where’s the Emotional Core?
The thing about Squid Game Season 1 wasn’t just the games it was how real the people felt. You didn’t watch Ali or Sae-byeok just to see if they’d survive; you rooted for them, you worried about them. Even Il-nam, in all his mystery, left something behind. Those characters stayed with you.
But in Season 3? The new characters show up, say a few lines, and before you even learn their names, they’re gone. There’s no space to connect, no reason to feel anything when they’re killed off. It’s like the show’s too busy moving to the next twist to let us breathe.
Even the familiar faces don’t hit like they used to. They’re there, sure, but something’s missing. Their stories feel thinner, their choices more mechanical. It’s almost like the show forgot that the heartbreak was half the reason we watched in the first place.
Social Commentary or Spoon-Feeding?
One of the show’s strongest weapons used to be its commentary on capitalism, inequality, and human desperation. It made you uncomfortable in the best way. But now, that edge is dull.
Characters explain the metaphors aloud, as if viewers wouldn’t get it otherwise. What was once smart and subtle is now loud and obvious. It feels like the show is trying too hard to remind us how deep it is, except this time, it’s not.
Polished Look, Hollow Feel
There’s no denying the production quality has skyrocketed. The cinematography is stylish, the color palettes are striking, and the editing is crisp. But all of that can’t fix a weak narrative. No matter how expensive something looks, if it doesn’t feel right, it won’t hit home.
Season 3 is full of noise but low on meaning. The impact of the death scenes is gone. The stakes feel artificial. And most scenes pass without leaving anything behind.
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Final Thoughts: A Franchise on Life Support
Squid Game Season 3 isn’t a total disaster, but it’s far from what it used to be. It’s a reminder that even the boldest ideas can wear thin if they’re stretched too far.
Instead of evolving, the series is starting to repeat itself. And as viewers, we’re left wondering: how many more games before this stops feeling like survival, and starts feeling like a cash grab? Netflix might be planning more seasons, but maybe it’s time to stop playing.
Writer – Subham Choudhary