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Lee Jung-jae appears in a scene from Squid Game Season 3. / Courtesy of Netflix

Despite divided reactions, Netflix original series Squid Game Season 3 surged to No. 1 in Netflix’s global TV rankings just one day after its release.

According to streaming analytics site FlixPatrol on June 29, Squid Game 3 ranked No. 1 in all 93 countries tracked by the service, including the U.S. and the U.K. However, analysts suggest that this is largely due to the lingering popularity of the previous seasons and the cliffhanger ending of Season 2 leading directly into the new installment.

The series currently holds a “Tomatometer” score of 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on critics' reviews, but has a significantly lower “Audience Score” of 51%, indicating that nearly half of viewers rated it negatively. For comparison, Season 1 had a 95% critic score and 84% audience score, reflecting its broad critical and popular acclaim.

Released on June 27, Squid Game 3 brings the four-year saga to a close. Themes such as faith in humanity, systemic violence, and institutional critique remain consistent. While many viewers praised the powerful performances and stylistic epilogue sequences, others criticized the repetitive game structure, lack of new characters, and predictable plotline.

The New York Times called the season “one-dimensional and predictable,” singling out the storyline of Jun-ho (played by Wi Ha-jun) as a meaningless subplot and mocking the return of the masked VIPs as cartoonish and hollow.

The Hollywood Reporter criticized the lack of development for new characters introduced in Season 2, adding that Season 3 doesn’t even attempt to give them depth. The review noted that rather than portraying complex, active individuals, the characters feel like passive chess pieces.

The Guardian echoed similar concerns, saying, “The satire that defined the earlier seasons has faded.” While the visuals remain impressive, the outlet remarked that the season lacks the sharp messaging that made Season 1 a global phenomenon.

The final scene featuring Cate Blanchett also drew criticism. The Washington Times described her cameo as “lacking emotional weight,” arguing that the ending fails to deliver the resonance expected of an Emmy-winning series.

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Jo Yu-ri features in Squid Game Season 3. / Courtesy of Netflix

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A scene from Squid Game Season 3. / Courtesy of Netflix