Squid Game’s Rotten Tomatoes score drops 33 per cent as fans slam Season 3 ‘sloppy, hollow, and unsatisfying’

Squid Game returned with its third and final season—only to face a wave of unfavourable audience reviews, particularly on Rotten Tomatoes. Season 3 brings Gi-hun’s journey inside the deadly game complex to a close, where desperate participants compete in twisted versions of childhood games for a massive cash prize—losing means death. What began as a global phenomenon in 2021 ended in disappointment in 2025, with many viewers criticising the finale for its lack of compelling characters, the questionable deaths of key players, and an ending that failed to deliver the emotional payoff fans had hoped for.

Moreover, the badly-handled baby plot has also confused viewers, as the baby has emerged as the winner in the game.

Rotten Tomatoes score

As Squid Game wraps up its third and final season, the gap between critics and audience reactions has grown wider than ever. While critics have generally remained favorable toward the series, audience sentiment has taken a sharp downturn, especially for Season 3, which received some of the most negative feedback to date.

The show has always been unafraid to make bold, often heartbreaking choices, frequently killing off fan-favorite characters. But while that formula once shocked and captivated audiences, it seems to have lost its impact. With each season, both critics and fans have reported a steady decline in satisfaction. Even the critics’ average has dropped by 14 points from Season 1, while the audience score has plummeted by a staggering 33%. One user wrote, "There are so many plots and most of them are unnecessary because they don't play a big part in the story's resolution. The baby plot is ridiculous and the ending is really childish. Not the best way to end a good show."

Another added, "Squid Game Season 3 ended up being a bit of a disappointment, missing the mark on the storylines and character arcs that were so carefully developed in the first two seasons." The user also referenced detective Hwang Jun-ho's journey, which once had so much promise, fizzles out as he arrives late to the island to confront his brother, who is the puppet master of the games. It adds nothing to the plot.

Worse, there has been much backlash about player Kang Dae-ho, who had a panic attack, during Season 2, after Gi-hun decided to storm the building and kill the masked murderers. He is killed in Season 3, and seen as a coward, instead. Furthermore, the VIPs that are meant to satirize the rich, are more cringeworthy than usual, delivering stiff dialogues, and serve no purpose. "The season as a whole feels narratively sloppy, emotionally hollow, and ultimately unsatisfying."

There appears to be a promise of an American spin-off, as the final scene shows Cate Blanchett taking on Gong Yoo's role as the recruiter.