Netflix's Squid Game Season 3 receives mixed reviews from overseas media... ”Shocking ending in one dimension”

Amidst the global release of Season 3 of the hit series Squid Game, overseas media reviews are divided.

The third season of the Netflix series Squid Game, released on the 27th, tells the story of Gihun (played by Lee Jung-jae), who lost his closest friend in the game he re-entered with his own purpose, the Frontman (played by Lee Byung-hun), who entered the game while hiding his true identity, and the final fate of the participants who survived the brutal game.

The New York Times, a daily newspaper in the United States, expressed disappointment, stating, “There needs to be something surprising for viewers in either Season 2 or Season 3.”

It continued, “While Gihun's process of resolving his fate feels contrived, it does provide the tension that was lacking in Season 2. However, the characters, which originated from Western films and war movies with a long history, are more one-dimensional and predictable. In particular, Juno's (played by Wi Ha-jun) search of the island remained the most meaningless plot point until the end. The VIP scene with the masks was a cartoonish setting with no real meaning.”

Additionally, it was noted that “Director Hwang Dong-hyuk continues to skillfully balance the action, but his imagination falls short in the final few games.”

Variety noted, “Netflix's most-watched series, Squid Game, ended with a cruel conclusion,” and added, “The final season is also inconvenient and violent, but it feels more like an extension of Season 2 than a completely new story.”

It continued, “Season 3 is less vibrant than the previous two seasons due to its repetitive game structure and lack of new characters,” but still praised it, saying, “It's still worth watching for its multiple compelling developments.”

The Hollywood Reporter, a film industry magazine, criticized the series, stating, “The Netflix hit that provided temporary thrills ended with an unsatisfying conclusion. The appearance of VIPs and the continued delivery of strange and awkward dialogue attempt to persuade viewers, but the tension unique to Squid Game has vanished. It seems as though the creators believed that if the VIPs shouted, ‘It's getting more interesting!’ loudly enough, viewers would believe them.”

It also noted, “Director Hwang Dong-hyuk had hidden multiple plot twists,” and stated, “The moments of surprise and emotion are brief, while the sense of tragedy and the runtime are very long.” However, it added, “At times, it offers a concrete and sharp perspective on how to justify the unspeakable cruelty lurking behind what appears to be democracy.”

The Guardian in the UK criticized it, saying, “The ending is unbelievably shocking. The cruelty becomes more severe, the violence is repeated endlessly, and the satire has almost disappeared. The remaining participants gradually turn into ruthless murderers. It feels more like a simple spectacle than a sharp message.”

It continued, “Rather than feeling as meticulously crafted as Season 1, it feels like an appendix to a loosely unfolding story,” and noted, “It leaves the impression of having transformed from its original satirical drama into a traditional action thriller.”

Of course, there are also positive reviews. Time magazine praised it, saying, “In the final season, it once again showcased its original brutal charm and delivered a powerful finale.” Coriander praised it as “an overwhelming finale that maximizes all its strengths and shows even more.”

The Financial Times noted, “It maintained its addictive quality with fast-paced storytelling and sharp direction,” while Bloomberg described it as “a series that poses questions about what remains of our humanity.” Additionally, Decider explained the season's conclusion, stating, “Season 3 includes the most shocking twist, but ultimately it encompasses the inherent dignity of humanity.”

Squid Game has sparked an unprecedented global phenomenon and is known as Netflix's most popular series of all time. Seasons 1 and 2 combined have recorded approximately 600 million cumulative views (the total viewing time divided by the total runtime of the series). Season 2, released in December last year, set a record for the highest number of views in its first week of release, charted in the top 10 non-English series within three days of release, and became the third most popular series in Netflix history.

Season 3 of Squid Game, released on the 27th, is now available to stream on Netflix.