Netflix released the third and final season of “Squid Game” on Friday, bringing an explosive end to one of the most globally successful survival dramas ever.
Returning to the dystopian game arena, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) reenters the deadly competition, not just to survive, but to dismantle the system from within.
The stakes are higher than ever, and the games are even more brutal. And the ending, no one saw it coming.
Plot: Gi-hun’s revenge and a new class of players
Season 3 picks up right after the Season 2 cliff-hanger. Gi-hun, broken but burning with purpose, is back to fight the corrupt organisation behind the games.
He’s no longer a passive player. This time, he’s a disruptor. But the path to justice is lined with blood, betrayal, and mind-bending new challenges.
Fan favourites like the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) return to oversee the carnage, joined by a new lineup of desperate characters played by Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, and Jo Yu-ri.
One of the biggest reveals is a major betrayal lurking within the system itself—by someone Gi-hun least expects.
The show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, reveals this season centres on Gi-hun’s transformation and explores how pain, guilt, and resilience can shape a person’s fate.
Lee Jung-jae, who plays Gi-hun, noted, “All you can do is go on living.” This theme echoes powerfully through each of the six intense episodes.
Squid Game’s final twist
In an ending that’s left viewers speechless, the ultimate winner of the final Squid Game isn’t an adult, but the newborn child of contestant Kim Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri).
The baby’s survival is interpreted as a metaphor for innocence enduring even the worst horrors. The moment has ignited passionate debates online, with #SquidGame3 trending worldwide since its release.
This philosophical and emotionally charged finale has earned Season 3 a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many calling it the show’s best season yet. Critics praise its bold storytelling, deeper themes, and powerful character arcs.
Cast, characters, and global reaction to Squid Game 3
Squid Game Season 3 brings back familiar faces and introduces compelling new ones. Alongside Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, this season stars Wi Ha-joon, Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Kang Ae-shim, and Yang Dong-geun, among others. Each actor delivers raw, unforgettable performances that elevate the show’s dark, emotional core.
The show remains stunning visually, with eerie set pieces, surreal visuals, and disturbing challenges. The new VIPs bring their own twisted flair, while the game’s deeper layers are finally exposed.
As the curtain closes on the franchise, fans and critics agree Squid Game didn’t just stick the landing—it redefined what an ending can be.
Now streaming globally, Squid Game Season 3 is a brutal, beautiful farewell to one of Netflix’s most daring originals.