When Squid Game first premiered in 2021, it quickly became a global phenomenon, captivating audiences with its dark satire of late capitalism. Its return for a second season promises more of the same intense violence and shocking twists, making it poised to be just as successful as the first.
In 2021, the show’s mix of grotesque, high-stakes games and colorful, bizarre sets captured the world’s attention. Players in matching tracksuits participated in childhood games, unaware that losing meant death. This horrific contrast, paired with the show’s sharp critique of wealth inequality, struck a universal chord, propelling it to become Netflix’s most-watched series, with over 265 million views. Squid Game is infamous for its brutal violence, but it’s all a part of creator Hwang Dong-hyuk’s social commentary on the divide between the rich and the poor.
The second season opens with a chilling scene of Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), the protagonist from season one. He’s seen removing tracking chips from his body in a public bathroom, his calm demeanor offering some dark humor amidst the tension. This set-up shows that the new season will balance its trademark horror with moments of levity.
While Gi-hun tries to track down the recruiter behind the games, the bloodshed quickly resumes. The tense atmosphere builds as he gathers a group to help him hunt down the mysterious man in the suit. But the humor is fleeting—soon enough, the familiar, deadly stakes of Squid Game take over once again.
As Gi-hun is drawn back into a fresh round of games, this time to expose the mastermind behind them, the new season explores fresh characters and intense backstories. We meet a mother and her son, a former Marine, a troubled influencer, and a rapper who loses everything to crypto. But one of the standout additions is No-eul, a woman who escaped North Korea but was forced to leave her baby behind. Her secret role as one of the game’s guards adds a layer of intrigue to the plot.
Gi-hun’s return to the game serves as a warning to the new contestants, but, much like in our own world, they are divided. Some believe his warnings, while others dismiss him. The game forces them into groups with opposing views, leading to devastating violence—a metaphor for our own fractured society. A brutal scene of strobe-lit chaos underscores how people are manipulated into fighting each other rather than confronting the system that oppresses them.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk has said that Squid Game reflects the increasingly harsh realities of today’s world. The show doesn’t offer solutions, but rather highlights the way those in power manipulate others to ensure they remain in control.
While season two has its flaws—some scenes feel repetitive, and the reveal of a double-crossing character is too predictable—there’s no denying the show’s powerful impact. The gruesome games are just as disturbing, the violence as shocking, and Lee Jung-jae’s performance remains compelling as the lone voice of reason in a world gone mad.
With the show’s signature surreal games, bloody confrontations, and intense character moments, season two of Squid Game is a welcome return to the dark world fans love. The season ends with a cliffhanger and a teaser for a third season in 2025, ensuring the story isn’t over yet. It’s a tense, frustrating ending that encapsulates the show’s relentless cruelty—after all, that’s the name of the game.
★★★★☆
Squid Game season two is now available on Netflix, released on December 26.
