Squid Games Season 3 Review: A rigged world and undying faith in humanity

As I finished the final chapter, it became clearer how Squid Games was more about humans than a game to win money.

It’s rare to come across a show that captures the entire world's obsession! Squid Games was exactly that, giving people reasons to look forward to the final season. The show became a cultural phenomenon because of its blunt, dramatic, and brutal portrayal of people’s suffering, which often seem to amuse the rich. Staying true to its theme, the show, which was not even supposed to air, went on to have three seasons with the hype never diminishing. While viewers were drawn to the thrill of the bloody games and curiosity to see the winner, the ending revealed that the deeper story was about human nature and the choices we make in an unjust world.

Picking up from where it left off in season 2, the final chapter follows Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) on his journey to return and end the game for good. We saw him attempt and fail in his rebellion against the people who run the game, all while being manipulated by the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), who pretended to be one of the players. We see Gi-hun and his surviving allies having to regroup and endure the game, despite their wishes. Watching a very devastated Player 456, who lost hope after the death of his dear friend, and The Font Man's question to Gi-Hun about whether he still has faith in people, encapsulates the main idea of the entire season. 

The final season was more than just finishing the game; it served as a constant reminder that the events unfolded because we are all human, with each character embodying this truth. You realise humans can be manipulative, like Seon-nyeo (Chae Kuk-hee), the shaman who creates her own cult through the game. She preys on people's vulnerabilities, convincing them to believe in her, which allows her to exploit them later. Seon-nyeo ultimately benefits from their weaknesses, until she doesn’t. Her greed, a theme prevalent among many involved in the game, contributes to her downfall. While everyone is motivated by money, some, like Im Jeong-dae, an older man participating to clear his debts, display an even greater willingness to betray and harm others for the prize. Despite pleas from those who wanted to quit the game, he remained unfazed and chose to vote in favour of continuing.

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While some individuals prey on the weaknesses of others, some find a way to benefit from others' evilness. This is particularly true for self-righteous people like Lee Myung-gi (Im Si-wan), who see themselves as the "good guys" while making questionable decisions in the name of protecting their loved ones. He justifies his actions within the game as a means to ensure the safety of Jun-hee and the baby, so they can escape together with a large sum of money at the end. Meanwhile, we have people like Woo-seok whose loyalty towards his boss and friend makes him want to put all his effort in making sure the games never happen. He works with people constantly trying to find evidence that will bring the evil guys to justice.

Amid all the darkness, it’s characters like Geum-ja (Kang Ae-sim), Cho Hyun-ju (Park Sung-hoon), and Kim Jun-hee who emerge as rare beacons of hope. Despite carrying the weight of their own trauma, they go out of their way to protect their fellow contestants, quietly proving that compassion and care can survive even in the bleakest circumstances. Their actions remind us that the human instinct to nurture, protect, and persevere doesn't vanish under pressure, but it only intensifies. Through them, the season answers In-Ho’s lingering question about whether faith in humanity is still worth holding on to. And people like Kang No-eul (Park Gyu-young) reiterate this faith, showing how people don't always looks for reasons that will benefit their individual needs, to use their bravery, especially if it helps save someone else's life.

Most importantly, the finale served as a brutal reminder that no matter how difficult or unsettling the ending may seem, the world will inherently remain unfair. Our desperation that makes us want to scheme, betray, or even die so that we can pursue money, something that we unfortunately consider to be the sole purpose of our survival, becomes entertainment for the powerful. For the filthy rich, our suffering is sport. Yet, within this darkness, a single act of goodness is all it takes to shake that cynicism and restore our faith in humanity. The season finale doesn’t just tie up the narrative; it circles back to the raw, uncomfortable truth that hooked us to Season; it's a reminder that the system is rigged and we’re all just players in someone else’s game.

Squid Games Season 3 is now streaming on Netflix

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