The internet is spiralling over the mess that was Squid Game season 3
This article contains spoilers for Squid Game Season 3.
Squid Game, the South Korean survival drama where 456 contestants play to win a cash prize, is back with its third season and it has caused an uproar online. The Netflix show was popularised for its exploration of social and economic inequality, which struck a chord with many with the first two seasons.
The internet’s in survival mode
Reactions to the new season are rather binary, with viewers either getting emotionally wrecked or being aggressively underwhelmed by the show, compared to season 1 and 2, and these reactions have no in-between. With over 60 million views in three days of releasing, Squid Game 3 is breaking both expectations and records…it just depends on who you ask.
Most people agreed that watching it was like making yourself suffer — on purpose.
The American spinoff confusion
Many fans have noticed a self-contradiction within the show, with many viewers accusing Netflix of “missing the point” and people responding with comments like “congrats to Netflix for franchising poverty”.
The show was originally a critique of capitalism, class inequality, and desperation turning survival into entertainments — it wasn’t meant to be franchised, but since season 1’s success, Netflix expanded and turned it into a brand, with a reality show (Squid Game: The Challenge), and rumours of a prequel series.
The American spinoff teased at the end of the show makes each step feel further away from its original purpose.
Fans on X are calling out Netflix for milking trauma and turning an emotional story into a cash cow. Ironically even though the show critiques capitalist exploitation, it is now being capitalised.
Many felt the ending was awful.
On the other hand, there were a few who were intrigued by how far the American version goes (or flops).
Love it or hate it, there’s no middle ground
The response to the show was divided, with some people extremely disappointed and others liking it.
Kill off spree
X is still processing the unexpected deaths that no one saw coming, with spoilers flying faster than the marbles in episode 6.
The CGI baby is haunting everyone
Amongst betrayal and blood a CGI baby appeared and confused most fans of the show, with people comparing the baby to a PS2 cutscene.
X users are busy debating and asking questions; was it symbolism? Was it budget friendly? Was it cursed?
Cate Blanchett shows up?
As far as surprises go, the most unexpected one has to be screenshots of Cate Blanchett’s cameo, with people asking “what are you doing here?”
It’s safe to say Blanchett being in Squid Game 3 was not on any of our 2025 bingo cards.
Squid Game season 3 has fans divided, with some hooked and others feeling it has been lost to a franchise machine. Between CGI babies and surprise deaths, season 3 felt like entertainment built on exhaustion, and whether vievers are crying, raging, or rewatching the show, one thing is clear: everyone is still playing the game.https://images.dawn.com/news/1190861/korean-cinematic-rise-years-in-the-making-says-squid-game-star-lee-jung-jae
Comments