The hit series quickly became a global phenomenon after the very first season premiered on Netflix back in 2021.
By ALESIA FIDDLER - TRAVEL REPORTER
Published: 12:02 EDT, 27 June 2025 | Updated: 08:54 EDT, 28 June 2025
Squid Game's finale season has been hailed as 'harrowing and heartbreaking' by critics - with an ending 'so jaw-dropping it beggars belief'.
The hit series quickly became a global phenomenon after the very first season premiered on Netflix back in 2021.
While fans had to wait three years for the second season, the third and final hit screens on Friday, June 27.
Squid Game season three has been praised by critics and received some raving reviews for its thrilling tale, which scores a whopping 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Metro rated the show 4.5 out of five stars and gushed how the ending made their 'jaw drop' and described the season as 'darn near-perfect'.
While the Guardian rated a more average three out of five stars but raved the ending was so surprising it is 'entirely beggars belief'.
Squid Game 's finale season has been hailed as 'harrowing and heartbreaking' by critics - with an ending 'so jaw-dropping it beggars belief'
The hit series quickly became a global phenomenon after the very first season premiered on Netflix back in 2021
While fans had to wait three years for the second season, the third and final hit screens on Friday, June 27
Gizmodo dubbed the season 'harrowing' and 'heartbreaking' noting Squid Game ends 'this vicious final chapter in a memorable, very terminal way'.
However, it notes that there also seems to be a 'tease for more to come' at the end.
Meanwhile Indie Wire praised director Hwang Dong-hyuk's 'unflinching vision that carries Squid Game over the finish line'.
However, not everyone was so impressed and the Hollywood Reporter dubbed the ending 'unsatisfying'.
While fans have already shared their verdicts online and one penned on Rotten Tomatoes: 'So far so good, just watched the first episode! I’m still deeply connected to all the characters and can’t wait to see what happens next. Will update my review as I keep watching.'
Another added: 'The suspenseful directing, story, music, and emotional acting by the actors were all great, and the ending was also excellent. It was so fun that I regret not seeing it again.'
'Eps 2 and final eps were my favs. Had me on edge throughout. Final game was epic, couldn't guess what was gonna happen. Love! Heartbreaking but an apt ending,' someone else said.
Though it didn't escape criticism and one viewer penned: 'Rushed season, lackluster writing, horrible ending. This season was so anticipated and the tools were there for a really good season, but went completely off the rails.
While fans have already shared their verdicts online and penned their takes on Rotten Tomatoes
Squid Game writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk has revealed the real reason why the upcoming series of the Netflix hit has been split into two parts
'The character building, suspense, and drama brought people back. All you’re left with at the end of season 3 is people who you don’t recognise. Do better Netflix.'
Squid Game writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk previously revealed the real reason why the season has been split into two parts.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline at the Squid Game season three premiere, Hwang Dong-hyuk, 54, said: 'I originally didn't plan for it to be split into two seasons.
'I was thinking that it'd be a single one, but in the process of writing it, it came out to about 13 episodes, which I thought was too long to put out as a single season.
'And I also thought it was too long when you look at current trends.
'So I thought that we wanted to split it, and if we were to split it, at the end of episode seven, when Seong Gi-hun hits rock bottom after his rebellion failed...
'I thought that was the just the right moment to sort of dividing into two chapters.;
All seasons of Squid Game are available to stream exclusively on Netflix.