Netflix's global sensation, the South Korean thriller series Squid Game, is set to return with its highly anticipated third and final season on Friday, June 27, 2025. Fans worldwide are gearing up for the release of all six episodes, which will drop simultaneously on Netflix at 3 a.m. ET (12 a.m. PT) in the United States and at 8 a.m. BST in the United Kingdom, with release times varying across the globe.
The series, which first captivated audiences in 2021, has become Netflix's most successful non-English language show, amassing nearly 600 million viewers across its first two seasons. The gripping narrative revolves around 456 players who risk their lives competing in deadly childhood games for a massive cash prize. Season three promises to intensify the stakes with even deadlier challenges and a deeper exploration of the characters' struggles.
This final chapter picks up immediately after the bloody cliffhanger of season two, where Seong Gi-hun, also known as Player 456 and portrayed by Lee Jung-jae, is at his lowest ebb. The loss of his closest friend Jung-bae, killed during Gi-hun's failed rebellion against the Squid Game, leaves him engulfed in despair. As Netflix describes, "A failed rebellion, the death of a friend, and a secret betrayal — Squid Game Season 3 picks up in the aftermath of Season 2’s bloody cliffhanger. Although Gi-hun is at his lowest point yet, the Squid Game stops for no one."
Gi-hun's journey this season is one of redemption and resolve. Series director, writer, and executive producer Hwang Dong-hyuk explains, "Gi-hun is overwhelmed with a profound sense of defeat and remorse. In Season 3, we’ll see how Gi-hun returns to the game arena and faces the challenges ahead." The narrative will follow his attempts to end the game after losing his best friend and being driven to utter despair by the Front Man, Hwang In-ho, played by Lee Byung-hun.
The rivalry between Gi-hun and the Front Man lies at the heart of the season's drama. Hwang In-ho resumes his role as Front Man, welcoming mysterious VIPs to the deadly games. Meanwhile, his brother Jun-ho, portrayed by Wi Ha-jun, continues his search for the elusive island where the games take place, unaware that a traitor lurks among them. The tension escalates as surviving players face increasingly grave consequences with each round.
Season three introduces new characters and challenges, including Cheol-su, a giant doll teased in the post-credits scene of season two. This new doll plays a significant role in the "Jump Rope" game, reminiscent of the iconic doll Young-hee from the "Red Light, Green Light" game in the first season. The addition of fresh faces such as Yim Si-wan as Myung-gi (Player 333), Kang Ha-neul as Dae-ho (Player 388), and Park Sung-hoon as Hyun-ju (Player 120) enriches the cast and the story's complexity.
Despite the excitement, the series creator has tempered expectations regarding the show's conclusion. In a candid interview with The Guardian’s Shaad D'Souza, Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed that the ending would not be a traditional happy one. "People like a happy ending… I’m like that too. But some stories, by nature, can’t have one. If you try to force one, the essence is compromised. If a story is holding up a mirror to something, then it’s not always a happy ending. Squid Game is no exception," he said.
Hwang added that the finale was unexpected even to him and anticipates diverse reactions from fans, stating, "The finale was something even I didn’t expect, so I’m sure a lot of fans will not see it coming. I think a lot of people will have different reactions. It’s definitely going to spur a lot of conversation. I’m looking forward to listening." This revelation has stirred mixed feelings among fans, some expressing frustration at the spoiler on social media platforms like Discussing Film’s Twitter, while others brace themselves for a thought-provoking conclusion.
The third season, consisting of six episodes, is the shortest yet, following seasons two and three being filmed back-to-back, effectively forming two halves of one larger story arc. This structure allows for a seamless continuation of Gi-hun's quest to dismantle the Squid Game from within, navigating through heavily armed guards and a host of unruly contestants.
With the stakes higher than ever, the final season promises to delve into the core theme of preserving humanity amidst brutal competition. Hwang Dong-hyuk told Entertainment Weekly, "I wanted to focus on how [people] have to preserve their humanity amidst this intense competition." This thematic depth, combined with the show's signature suspense and emotional weight, sets the stage for a gripping conclusion to the global phenomenon.
As the countdown to June 27 ticks away, fans worldwide prepare to immerse themselves in what promises to be a thrilling, heart-wrenching finale. Whether Gi-hun will triumph over despair and the Front Man remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Squid Game season three will leave a lasting impression as it bids farewell to its devoted audience.
