Squid Game – Full Review of Season 1, 2, and 3
Squid Game – Full Review of Season 1, 2, and 3
There are shows that entertain you. And then there’s Squid Game — the kind of series that grabs you by the gut and doesn’t let go. What started in 2021 as a dark Korean thriller about desperate people playing deadly games for cash, turned into a full-blown cultural phenomenon. Now with three full seasons out, it’s time to sit down and really talk about what made Squid Game so crazy, intense, and honestly… unforgettable.
No fancy words here. Just one fan breaking it all down.
Season 1 – The Game That Changed Everything
Season 1 dropped out of nowhere and instantly took over the internet. The idea? 456 people drowning in debt join a secret competition. The prize? 45.6 billion won. The catch? You lose, you die.
Sounds simple, but the way it was executed was pure genius. Childhood games like “Red Light, Green Light” turned into murder machines. The sugar honeycomb challenge? That thing made cutting candy feel like brain surgery.
What really sold it though wasn’t just the games — it was the people. Gi-hun, Sang-woo, Sae-byeok, Ali… characters that felt real. You cared when they smiled, and you damn sure felt it when they died.
The ending? Gi-hun winning but walking away in disgust — not spending the money, not celebrating — just shows how broken the system is. That final shot of him dyeing his hair red and walking away from the plane? Iconic.
Season 2 – Fighting Back From the Inside
Season 2 came with higher stakes and a darker tone. Gi-hun is no longer a player, he’s a man on a mission. He wants to tear the whole system down — from the inside.
This season gave us more backstory on the Front Man, a few returning characters (some via flashbacks), and new faces like No-eul and Dae-ho who each bring something unique to the story.
But let’s be honest — some fans felt this season was a bit slower. It focused more on the politics behind the game rather than the games themselves. It wasn’t as punchy, but it was necessary.
It showed us how deep the rabbit hole goes, how global the operation is, and how impossible it is to kill a system built on power, money, and fear.
Season 3 – Blood, Betrayal, and One Final Move
Now Season 3… this is where things got wild.
We’re back inside the game, but this time Gi-hun isn’t there to win — he’s there to destroy it. But of course, nothing goes to plan. The new games are more brutal than ever. One of them, a sky-based hide-and-seek, literally had me holding my breath. Another one involves jump rope… but the rope? Yeah, it kills you.
There’s also a pregnant contestant this time (yep), and in one of the most emotional scenes in the whole series, she gives birth during the game. That baby ends up being the real “winner” by the end of it. I won’t spoil how, but trust me — it hits hard.
And Gi-hun? Man… he goes all the way. Sacrifices himself so the baby can survive. That moment was the end of his arc, and it felt… right. Sad, but right.
We also get a cameo at the end (yes, that one), and a setup for a potential U.S. version of the game. Some people loved it, some didn’t, but nobody was left bored.
Final Thoughts – What Squid Game Did Right
Let’s not act like this was just a regular series. Squid Game hit deep. It showed us how capitalism chews people up and spits them out. How far people will go to survive. And how winning sometimes feels worse than losing.
Each season had its own vibe:
Season 1: Survival and shock
Season 2: Control and rebellion
Season 3: Sacrifice and closure
Sure, there were flaws — CGI baby wasn’t great, some pacing issues — but overall, this was a trilogy that meant something.
TL;DR – Was It Worth It?
Hell yes.
If you’ve never watched it — start now.
If you’ve seen it — rewatch it. There are so many details you’ll catch the second time around.
And if Season 4 ever happens… I’ll be there, front row, popcorn ready.
