Squid Game season 3 begins in familiar territory. The new episodes start right after the end of Squid Game season 2, which saw Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) fail in his mission to kill the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) and stop the games. However, his participation is far from over; being brought back into the dormitory, he continues to be a contestant in the rest of the games. But, after having failed to put an end to them with his rebellion, his mindset has shifted from where it once was. This change is a defining attribute of how season 3 plays out.
As the series promised with its premise, the show offers more high stakes as the games continue, bringing with it plenty of dire scenarios and dark moments. But it also keeps up the momentum with its other important storylines. This includes Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) continuing his search for the island, unaware Captain Park (Oh Dal-su) is working with his brother. There’s also a more defined mission for No-eul (Park Gyu-young) in the aftermath of the season 2 finale. All these stories coalesce into Squid Game season 3, harboring some of the darkest developments of the entire series.
Squid Game Season 3 Jumps Right Back Into The Action & Never Stops Moving
Episode 1 Hits The Ground Running & Doesn’t Stop
From the high-tension opening scene of episode 1, Squid Game season 3 establishes its six-episode run won’t slow the pace of the games to come. It doesn’t take long for the show to expertly navigate the aftermath of Gi-hun’s failed rebellion, exploring how the show’s memorable core characters are coping with their loss. There’s a dour, depressing tone that emphasizes the hopelessness of the scenario after everything the group has lost. As season 3 continues, this tone evolves, but it’s a first impression whose undertones never truly go away.
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Squid Game season 2 introduces new dynamics with engrossing new set pieces, and proves that three years was worth the wait for another round.
This is coupled by the cast of Squid Game delivering stellar performances, jumping off their character portrayals in season 2. Lee Jung-jae offers a compelling performance as Gi-hun, whose character arc twists in a very new direction after his personal loss. He expertly displays a unique side to the protagonist that emphasizes how the Front Man’s actions have affected his mindset. On the other side of the coin is Lee Byung-hun; his portrayal of the Front Man in season 3 adds new layers to the character, offering surprising depth that scaffolds off his season 2 storyline.
This includes a harrowing Jump Rope game that challenges the players physically, continuing to increase the stakes of the game in the process.
Of course, Gi-hun’s fellow contestants continue their stories in various ways. While everyone gives striking performances, Kang Ae-shim’s Geum-ja and Park Sung-hoon’s Hyun-ju are notable scene-stealers, especially when the games start back up again. But of all the contestants, it’s Jo Yu-ri’s Jun-hee that shines the brightest. Season 3 rectifies any lack of development she had in season 2, with Jo delivering a powerful performance as her struggles in the game grow more difficult. This includes one sequence early in the season where something memorable she does becomes central to her story ahead.
As for the games themselves, the Front Man’s next preparations immediately telegraph just how much danger Gi-hun and the other contestants are in. Their new challenges are even more dangerous than anything that’s come before. This includes a harrowing Jump Rope game that challenges the players physically, continuing to increase the stakes of the game in the process. With an approach that makes even the simplest of moments feel intense, Squid Game season 3 utilizes its characters and games to expertly deliver some of the most intense moments the show’s ever offered.
Squid Game Season 3 Continues Gi-hun & The Front Man’s Battle, But With One Small Caveat
There’s A Big Difference Now That The Front Man Is Out Of The Games
Alongside the games and players in Squid Game, season 3 also delivers its intrigue through Gi-hun and the Front Man’s battle. This comes in the form of what’s happening on the island and Jun-ho’s search at sea. With Captain Park’s true intentions being revealed to the audience in season 2, every scene between him and the detective has an added layer of intensity. It’s clear he doesn’t intend for Jun-ho to find the island, resulting in a game of their own being played on the water. This character-driven section layers the larger conflict with more personal stakes for both parties.
Squid Game seasons 2 and 3 were written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, and filmed back-to-back.
As for Gi-hun and the Front Man’s direct confrontations, there is a level of disconnect between the pair now that the antagonist is no longer in the games. While there’s still plenty of tension that comes from their different viewpoints on the world, that lack of personal interference does leave something to be desired at first. Luckily, with the inclusion of new elements not seen in prior seasons, that issue is circumvented, offering a vehicle through which their ideological battle can continue.
In fact, the only problem Squid Game season 3’s story has is a consequence of how the episodes were split up. While season 3 graciously keeps the action going from the end of season 2, a lack of real breathing room makes its premiere feel more like season 2, episode 8. Given the six-month break between episodes and a lack of re-establishment that takes place, there’s a slight emotional disconnect that happens when the show begins. While this is rectified as episodes play out, there are some events early on that don’t hit as hard because of this approach.
Squid Game Season 3 Offers A Fitting Batch Of Final Episodes For Netflix’s Popular Thriller Series
It Stays Engaging Despite Its Darkness From Beginning To End
Luckily, the show manages to draw from just how engaging its darker turns are this season to balance out the wait with hard-hitting twists and turns. There’s much about season 3 that’s difficult to watch unfold, but the show manages to justify even the most emotionally tumultuous events with its broader storyline. Everything the show does feels like a purposeful, justifiable action that builds atop its hardships. This makes every character’s story strong in how they’re approached, while still keeping Gi-hun and the Front Man in the center of it all.
With high-octane games and a compelling story that picks up where season 2 left off, Squid Game season 3 is a powerful sendoff to the popular Netflix thriller. The season maintains focus on its core themes and characters, offering a final stretch that’s just as engaging as it is ominous. Thanks to its unflinching approach to the difficulty of the final episodes, the show creates effective final episodes whose influence will echo long after its closing minutes.
All episodes of Squid Game season 3 are now streaming on Netflix.
8/10
- Release Date
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2021 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Hwang Dong-hyuk
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Lee Jung-jae
Seong Gi-hun / ‘No. 456’
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Jeon Young-soo
Game Guide
- Gi-hun and the Front Man’s conflict continues to be a compelling anchor for the story.
- Every main contestant has a chance to shine, with Jun-hee being a standout.
- The new games are fraught with danger and high-octane scenarios.
- The show doesn’t shy away from some of its darkest moments ever.
- Season 3 wastes no time getting back into the action, which is a slight detriment to emotional connections to characters after a six-month wait.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
