‘Squid Game’ Season 3 Hits Netflix with Mixed Global Reactions
Netflix dropped Season 3 of its hit original series ‘Squid Game’ on June 27th, and the response has been mixed both in Korea and overseas. The new season follows Seong Gi Hun (Lee Jung-jae), who returns to the deadly game with his own agenda. It also deals with the downfall of his closest ally, the FrontMan (Lee Byung-hun), who had kept his identity hidden while infiltrating the game.
This final season was supposed to tie up the unresolved stories from Season 2, which came out on December 26 last year and got less favorable reviews than Season 1. As expectations ran high, fans were hoping for a strong conclusion—but reactions suggest otherwise.
“Netflix’s once-feverish mega-hit struggles to a disappointing conclusion,” said The Hollywood Reporter. The New York Times also pointed out, “Director Hwang Dong-hyuk still deftly orchestrates the action, but his imagination is lacking.” Variety added, “Season 3 is not as profoundly memorable or grand as the previous two seasons, due to the repetitive structure of the games and the absence of new characters.”
Still, some international media outlets offered positive takes. The Telegraph wrote, “A satisfying conclusion, beautifully tied up with a blood-stained ribbon.” German outlet F.A.Z stated, “If one views it as a satirical twist on ‘Squid Game’s’ unique sharp criticism of capitalism, it becomes another interesting turning point in itself.”
Rotten Tomatoes gave Season 3 an 83% score, reflecting the divided fanbase. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk addressed the mixed feedback in an interview on June 30th, saying he hadn’t been able to monitor reactions closely due to health reasons. He said, “I heard from people around me that some like it and some have complaints, and I understand their feelings.” He also noted, “During Season 1, everyone had no expectations, so there was a shock and freshness. Seasons 2 and 3 already had expectations, and everyone wants something different, don’t they? It seems that no matter what comes out, there are people whose expectations were met and those who felt betrayed.”
Despite some criticism, the show is still pulling strong numbers. ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 recorded 152.5 million cumulative viewing hours by its third week, ranking third among Netflix’s all-time biggest shows behind Season 1 and ‘Wednesday.’
According to FlixPatrol, Season 3 topped the Netflix charts in 93 countries on June 29 and held that position for two days straight. With solid viewership and plenty of buzz, all eyes are on whether ‘Squid Game 3’ can overcome the criticism and cement its legacy.
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