Mixed Reviews for Netflix's Squid Game Season 3

The highly anticipated final installment of Netflix's Squid Game (오징어 게임) premiered on June 27, 2025, and international critics have offered a range of opinions. The New York Times (NYT) highlighted the repetitive story structure, stating, "For a second or third season to hold value, it needs to surprise us with something new." They noted that while many TV series follow a formula, recognizing a self-repeating formula can be challenging. The NYT criticized the one-dimensional and predictable characters derived from the long history of Westerns and war films, suggesting that director Hwang Dong-hyuk, while skilled in action coordination, lacks imagination.

Hollywood Reporter described the series as a once-thrilling Netflix hit that concluded with a disappointing finale, stating, "Unlike the first season, it remains bleak and hopeless until the end." They remarked that the new characters introduced in Season 2 felt underdeveloped, and Season 3 made no effort to enrich them, portraying them more like pawns on a chessboard than complex individuals.

Variety commented that Season 3 does not leave a lasting impression like its predecessors due to its repetitive game structure and lack of new characters. However, they acknowledged that the final six episodes contain some compelling twists that add value.

On a more positive note, Time praised the return of the director's control over the narrative, stating that the final season recaptures the series' original brutal charm. Collider called it an "overwhelming finale" that maximizes all strengths and goes beyond expectations.

As of 8 PM EST on the same day, Rotten Tomatoes reported that over 250 viewers rated Squid Game Season 3, giving it a score of 52 out of 100.