From the moment the credits rolled on Squid Game Season 3, fans flocked to social media in shock, disbelief, and debate. The ending—marked by a shocking sacrificial twist and an unexpected teaser—divided audiences globally. Here’s an in-depth look at why the internet is genuinely losing it over the finale.

The Shocking Final Moments

In the climactic “Sky Squid Game,” only three remain: Gi-hun (Player 456), Myung-gi (Player 333), and a newborn baby (Player 222). The game forces a brutal choice.

Gi-hun defies expectations. After eliminating Myung-gi, he refuses to kill the infant. He declares, “We are not horses. We are humans.” Instead, he sacrifices himself—pressing the button and allowing the baby to win the ₩45.6 billion prize—dying in the process indiatimes.com+15tomsguide.com+15indiatimes.com+15indiatimes.com.

But the twist continues. As authorities destroy the game site, the finale ends on a grim note: Cate Blanchett appears as a recruiter, teasing Squid Game: America. The implication is chilling—the deadly games are far from over theguardian.com+1indiatimes.com+1.

Internet Reactions: Shock, Praise, Backlash

1. The Game of Thrones Comparison

One of the most common refrains? “It’s like the Game of Thrones finale all over again.” Fans felt misled, arguing that the ending was rushed, emotionally empty, and disconnected from the emotional depth of earlier seasons indiatimes.com+1indiatimes.com+1.

“Finale… never seen a series end that badly. Is that how the GoT fans felt?” indiatimes.com

2. Outrage Over the Baby Twist

Critics slammed the decision to make a baby the winner. They saw it as forced, manipulative, and undermining the drama that fans had invested in .

“What a STUPID fu*king ending… Is Squid Game pro‑life?” navbharattimes.indiatimes.com+15koreaboo.com+15indiatimes.com+15

Several upset fans accused the show of pushing a “pro‑life” or misogynistic agenda by privileging the newborn over grown characters and sidelining women indiatimes.com+1indiatimes.com+1.

3. Praise for Symbolism and Message

Not everyone hated it. Some praised Gi-hun’s death as a poignant anti-capitalist statement—saying the system always wins, no matter the sacrifice indiatimes.com+15tomsguide.com+15indiatimes.com+15.

Others lauded the emotional rawness: calling it “heart‑wrenching,” “epic,” and a “masterstroke” of storytelling .

What’s Fueling the Controversy?

Several factors contribute to the uproar around Squid Game 3 ending:

A. Clashing Expectations

Gi-hun’s arc was the emotional backbone of the series. Fans wanted him to dismantle the system—not die for it. His sudden self-sacrifice left many feeling hoodwinked vg.no+15ca.style.yahoo.com+15indiatimes.com+15.

B. Forced Symbolism

The baby winning felt like a blunt metaphor for society’s youngest inheriting the world’s evils—but many saw it as ploy, not poetry. The disbelief was palpable online .

C. Rushed Pacing

Fans and critics felt the finale marched to its conclusion, leaving characters underdeveloped and themes half-explored—betraying the narrative richness of Season 1 .

D. Sequel/Spin-off Gimmick

Cate Blanchett’s cameo, teasing a U.S. spin-off, felt to some like a cash grab—sacrificing artistic payoff for franchise potential zapzee.net+6koreaboo.com+6skjbollywoodnews.com+6.

Reddit & Twitter: Raw Fan Sentiment

On Reddit, fans voiced frustration at pacing and lack of closure:

“The ending DIS-APP-OINTED ME… the pace was GOD AWFUL!” koreaboo.com+6triviakorea.com+6zapzee.net+6indiatimes.com+4reddit.com+4indiatimes.com+4

Another user lamented:

“Feels like Netflix butchered it… for the cash.” reddit.com

Some even compared Netflix’s strategy to Game of Thrones parting—stretching the story thin .

But supporters found power in the bleak outcome:

“Most brutal yet… traumatising yet epic.” indiatimes.com

What This Means for Fan Engagement

This heated split—between those who call it the worst finale and those who view it as bold—engenders viral engagement. Articles, memes, hot takes, and video essays are flooding in.

For content creators, this is prime territory: reactions, explainers, theory breakdowns, and opinion pieces are trending. And controversy = clicks.

Use This for Traffic-Winning Articles

Here are article ideas that can capture and dominate traffic using this buzz:

  1. “Why the Internet Is Losing It Over Squid Game 3’s Ending” – This piece.

  2. “Squid Game 3 Ending: Game of Thrones Syndrome?” – Compare backlash patterns.

  3. “Baby Wins?! Breaking Down the Polarizing Finale of Squid Game 3* – Analyze criticism.

  4. “Gi-hun’s Death: Anti‑Capitalist Symbolism or Lazy Writing?” – Debate creative intent.

  5. “Cate Blanchett Cameo Explained: Is Netflix Setting Up ‘Squid Game: America’?” – Explore spin-off implications.

Each can rank for both the main phrase and related long-tails like “Squid Game 3 ending reactions”, “Squid Game 3 baby twist reaction”, “Squid Game finale backlash”, etc.

Is Squid Game Really Over?

The biggest question fans have after that controversial ending: Was Squid Game Season 3 the final season?

Yes — But Also No?

According to series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, Squid Game Season 3 was indeed designed as the final chapter of Gi-hun’s personal arc. In interviews following the Tudum 2025 event, he confirmed that Gi-hun’s story is now complete — emotionally, thematically, and narratively.

“Gi-hun’s journey is finished. What happens next is no longer his fight.” — Hwang Dong-hyuk

So yes — there will be no Squid Game Season 4 continuing the same storyline or cast.

Final Take

The Squid Game 3 finale has become a digital flashpoint because it upended expectations. By killing the hero, giving victory to a baby, and teasing more for the franchise, it generated fan fury and fascination—both catalysts for massive online attention.

If you want to harness this buzz, lean into the debate. Build content that explores both sides, uses raw fan quotes, and addresses core questions. With controversy still hot, your website can ride the wave and capture a surge in traffic.

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