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Netflix is all set to end 2024 with a bang thanks to the upcoming second season ofSquid Game, but its potential ending may not sit well with the show’s fanbase. The blockbuster South Korean survival drama returns with more life-or-death games and new contestants, three years after the first season. However, there is cause for some concern about how it might turn out.
Created by Hwang Dong-hyuk,Squid Gameis Netflix’s most-watched series of all time. So, it goes without saying that all eyes will be on the upcoming season 2, as well as theconfirmed third and final season. It’s possible that the violent and dystopian satire on capitalism might fall victim to its own hype, and recent hints of a change of plans suggest as much.
Squid Game 2’sCliffhanger Ending
Show Creator Teases “Frustrating” Finale
As things stand, it looks likeSquid Game’ssecond season will be telling only half of the story. According to Hwang Dong-hyuk,Season 2 is set to end on a cliffhanger,which is bound to leave at least some fans upset, as they will have to wait for Season 3 to learn the fate of the characters and the game. Inan interview withDigital Spy,theSquid Gamecreator revealed this creative decision and how it would affect the series.
When [fans] watch the end of season two, they’re going to be very upset with me because they’re going to be like, ‘How can you do this to us? We want season three immediately.’
Splitting Season 2 Into Two Parts
It appears thatSquid Gameseasons 2and 3 were initially meant to be a single season, or one continuous story. However, over time, the showrunners at Netflix decided to split the story into two parts. As a result, Season 2 will end at the mid-point of what was originally intended to be one final season. This inflection point would drive the story in a different direction, with season 3 serving as the second half of sorts.
WhatSquid Game 2Stands To Lose
Will A Drawn-Out Finale Hurt The Series?
While no one’s likely to complain about gettingmore episodes ofSquid Game, this approach might impact the overall quality of the final product. The second and third seasons now run the risk of playing too much to the gallery. The story will likely feel either like it’s pushed to reach a conclusion that sells, or stretched out to fit into two separate seasons. This goes against what made thefirst season ofSquid Gamea true global success: its organic, honest storytelling.
ShootingSquid GameSeasons 2 & 3 Together
Once Season 2 is over,Squid Gamefans won’t have to wait three years for another season. Season 3 is scheduled to drop sometime in 2025, just a few months afterSeason 2 premieres on Jun 23, 2025. This shorter gap might make the cliffhanger ending more effective, keeping the anticipation fresh without being too drawn out. In fact, Hwang Dong-hyuk has also commented on this, explaining how the team approached both seasons as one continuous filmmaking project.
I actually wrote and shot seasons two and three in order at the same time so season two is almost done, as you know, and season three we’re almost done with the editing portion of it. We’re going to do our very best to make sure we get season three done as soon as possible so that it can be shown to the viewers.
Squid Game’sThird Season Might Need More Time
The Original Story Was Written 17 Years Ago
However, this approach comes with the risk of rushing the story and not allowing enough time for thorough revisions.Hwang Dong-hyukhad been trying to bringSquid Gameto life since 2008. Originally conceived as a film, it only expanded into a nine-episode series thanks to Netflix’s order. Given that the story demanded more than a simple 120-minute runtime, this decision worked inSquid Game’s favor.
When a story is in development for so long, it’s bound to evolve and enrich itself over time. Therefore, the time allotted for developingSquid Gameseasons 2 and 3is adequate, but it still pales in comparison to the extensive development time the creator had for the first season. While there’s no doubt about Hwang Dong-hyuk’s ability to deliver, it can’t be denied that an additional season could benefit from a few more drafts.
What Awaits InSquid GameSeason 2?
Simply put, just because the gap between seasons 2 and 3 is shorter than the gap between seasons 1 and 2 doesn’t mean the same level of quality will be maintained. At the same time, theSquid Gamecreator’s comments about upsetting fans don’t necessarily mean they won’t enjoy the cliffhanger ending. It could simply hint at a shocking creative decision, like killing off a main character such asSeong Gi-hun at the end of season 2.
Cliffhangers aside, it’s the shock value of these twists that makesSquid Gamethe phenomenon it is today. With Gi-hun returning to the game he first won in Season 1 as one of the 456 players, the premise itself has fans at the edge of their seats.Season 2’s trailerhas revealed returning classics like the red light, green light game and more twisted tasks ahead for the players. It’s safe to say thatSquid Gameseason 2 is going to be equal parts blood and betrayal.
