Is Squid Game USA Next? Here's what the season three finale's secret might mean for fans
Netflix
's
Squid Game Season 3
landed this week, ending the saga of
Seong Gi-hun
(
Lee Jung-jae
), Player 456, who first captured global attention in Season 1. Viewers watched Gi-hun enter the Games to clear debts but saw him become a rebel inside the blood-soaked competition.
This time, the final episode sees Gi-hun trapped in a last stand. He faces Myung-gi (Yim Si-wan) and Jun-hee's newborn baby, now Player 222. Both men kill the other contestants too soon. The cruel twist? At least one must die each round. Myung-gi's desperation ends in a fall off the platform, leaving Gi-hun with a choice — kill the baby or face the guards' guns.
Gi-hun defies the Games' cruelty. He ends his own life instead, shouting he is 'not a horse to be bet on but a human with a life.' He spares the child but seals his own fate. Player 456 is gone.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini
Limfoma
Baca
Undo
The Island burns but the Front Man escapes
As the final round breaks down, Lee Byung-hun's
Front Man
— In-ho — blows up the Games' island. Hundreds of bodies remain inside the flaming arena. Yet In-ho takes the baby and the winnings — 45.6 billion won (roughly £26 million) — and disappears before the police arrive.
The South Korean arena is finished. But the system that fed it? That flame flickers still.
Live Events
Jun-ho and No-eul walk away or try to
While Gi-hun's life ends, other faces from the
Squid Game
Season 2 cast — Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun) and No-eul (Park Gyu-young) — wrestle with their own escapes. Jun-ho, brother to the Front Man, reaches the island at the last moment. No-eul, torn by guilt over abandoning her own child in North Korea, helps another father flee and then tries to torch the Games' secrets.
In the chaos, the wealthy VIPs leave untouched. No punishment. No change.
Six months later: Money moves on
Half a year passes. Jun-ho's ally Mr Choi (Jeon Seok-ho) is out of prison. Jun-ho drops his fight. But the Front Man appears again — and hands him Jun-hee's baby and that mountain of won Gi-hun first won. The prize lives on. So does the question: at what cost?
Cate Blanchett and 'Squid Game USA'
And just when the story appears shut — one silent scene swings the door wide open. In the final minutes, In-ho rides through downtown Los Angeles. He spots a figure in a suit. Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett. She's playing Ddakji with a homeless man, echoing Gong Yoo's 'Salesman' from Squid Game Season 1.
Their eyes lock. No words. Just a nod. The Front Man closes the window. The camera fades.
Hwang Dong-hyuk
, the series creator, told Netflix's Tudum: 'We thought having a woman as a recruiter would be more dramatic and intriguing. And as for why Cate Blanchett, she's just the best, with unmatched charisma. Who doesn't love her? So we were very happy to have her appear.' He added, 'If Gong Yoo is the Korean Recruiter, I thought she would be the perfect fit as the American Recruiter, bringing a short but gripping and impactful ending to the story.'
Lee Byung-hun confirmed he never met Blanchett on set: 'We shot our parts separately with just a camera going back and forth.'
Is the American Squid Game next?
Blanchett's cameo fuels old rumours. For years, whispers have said Netflix might back a Squid Game USA. Deadline reported David Fincher might develop it. Dennis Kelly, of Utopia, is linked as writer. Sources suggest 'Squid Game: America' could start production in Los Angeles in December 2025. Netflix? Quiet for now.
Hwang Dong-hyuk told Entertainment Weekly: 'I'm not trying to say that I'm going to close the door to spinoffs or sequels altogether because they say never say never.'
Until then, the Squid Game cast stands frozen between an ending and a question mark.
For Netflix, Squid Game lives beyond Gi-hun's sacrifice. There's a mobile game. The reality spin-off Squid Game: The Challenge won a BAFTA. Philadelphia and Dallas will soon house permanent Squid Game venues.
So the slap of Ddakji may ring next in American streets. Squid Game Season 1 shocked the world. Seasons 2 and 3 — messy as they were — kept the fight alive. If there's more, it begins with Blanchett's nod on that Los Angeles pavement.
One last question for fans: ready for the next slap?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Did you know Shefali Jariwala made her Kannada debut alongside the late actor Puneeth Rajkumar in Hudugaru?
Television actor and model Shefali Jariwala passed away at her residence in Andheri on Friday (June 27) night. Her family and friends were seen performing the last rites at her residence a few hours ago, and her last rites are to be held today at Mumbai's Oshiwara Crematorium. Did you know that the actress made her Kannada debut with Puneeth Rajkumar . Shefali Jariwala's Kannada debut Shefali Jariwala Dies At 42, Devastated Husband Parag Tyagi Breaks Down Outside Hospital Shefali first gained widespread recognition with the popular music video "Kaanta Laga" and later appeared in several television shows and films. She made her debut in the Kannada movie Hudugaru alongside the late actor Puneeth Rajkumar. In Hudugaru, Shefali grooved to the song "Pankaja," sung by V Harikrishna, Mamta Sharma, and Naveen Madhav. The film itself is a Kannada remake of the Tamil hit Naadodigal, originally starring Sasikumar, Vijay Vasanth, and Bharani. The Kannada version featured Puneeth Rajkumar alongside Yogesh, and Radhika Pandit. Shefali Jariwala about her popularity with 'Kaanta Laga' In an old interview with TOI, Shefali opened up about the breakthrough she got after her appearance in the "Kaanta Laga" song. "Today, whatever I am is because of 'Kaanta Laga'. I was outside my college when the directors of the song, Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, saw me and instantly offered me the song. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo I was in college then and I come from a family of academicians, so my parents told me to focus on my studies. But I wanted to do it because I was getting paid for it. I earned Rs 7,000 from that song, and I wanted to see myself on TV. But my father was completely against it. So first, I took my mum into confidence and then, we both convinced my father. And that song turned out to be such a hit that it was like a fairy tale for me. It changed my life completely," she said. Shefali Jariwala's demise On Friday night, Shefali was found unresponsive at her home and was immediately rushed to hospital. A Mumbai police official shared with ANI, "Her body was found at her residence in the Andheri area. Mumbai Police received information about this at 1 am. Her body has been sent to Cooper Hospital for postmortem. The cause of death is not yet clear."
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
5 style lessons we can totally steal from Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani, the Assemblyman from Queens, is redefining political style by blending his South Asian heritage with modern fashion. His approach emphasizes tailored fits, smart casual layering, and a muted color palette, proving that politicians can dress with authenticity and flair. Mamdani's style showcases how personal expression and cultural roots can be seamlessly integrated into a polished and practical wardrobe. Zohran Mamdani is doing more than just shaking up NYC politics,he's making a quiet (but very cool) case for how politicians can actually dress with style. The 33-year-old Assemblyman from Queens, who just beat Andrew Cuomo in New York's mayoral primary (yes, really), is giving us fashion that feels real, thoughtful, and honestly refreshing. Here are five fashion lessons from the future Mayor of NYC (maybe!) that are subtle, smart, and easy to try IRL. Desi heritage but make it chill One of the coolest things about Zohran's style is how he blends his South Asian roots with everyday fits. Sometimes it's a Nehru-collar shirt under a blazer, other times it's an embroidered kurta with sleek pants. It's not loud or costume-y, it just feels authentic. Lesson? You don't need to ditch your roots to look polished. Incorporate heritage pieces in subtle ways, maybe a jamdani scarf, or just a kurta-style button-down with jeans. Culture is always in style. Tailored, not stiff Whether he's debating in Albany or out meeting locals in Queens, Zohran knows the power of a good fit. His jackets sit right, his pants have that just-right taper, and nothing looks off-the-rack. Takeaway: Tailoring is magic. Even your most basic clothes, like a plain shirt or blazer, can look 10x sharper if they fit you right. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Find a good tailor, and suddenly you've got a power wardrobe without spending a fortune. Smart casual is the vibe You won't find Zohran overdressed. He's more about smart layers, like a crisp button-up under a cozy sweater or a clean tee paired with a structured coat. It's politician-core, but make it low-key. Style move: For days when you want to look put together but not too try-hard, think 'elevated basics.' A structured jacket + plain tee + good shoes = effortless and polished. Play with colour (Not chaos) Zohran doesn't do neon or wild prints, but he's also not stuck in a sea of grey. Earthy greens, deep blues, and warm burgundies make regular appearances in his wardrobe. It's the kind of colour palette that quietly says 'I've got good taste.' Your move? Ditch the all-black uniform and try softer shades. Olive pants, a rust sweater, or even just a camel jacket can completely change your look without screaming for attention. Accessories = Function meets flex Let's talk accessories. Zohran's not flashing gold chains or designer logos, but his choices are still smart. Leather satchels, sturdy shoes, simple watches - they're functional, but still fly. What to copy: Pick pieces that do the job but look great doing it. A quality bag, a sleek belt, or classic boots are worth the investment. Think 'quiet luxury,' not hypebeast. So, why is his style so good? Because it's real. It's not curated for Instagram. It's not overdone. It's just a guy being true to who he is, dressing for his day, and still looking sharp while doing it. He's showing that you can bring your culture, your politics, and your personality into your wardrobe without looking like you tried too hard. That's rare. That's cool. And yes, that's fashionable. What you can learn from Zohran's closet Mix tradition with modern basics. Tailoring > trends. Smart casual is the ultimate flex. Earth tones are your friends. Accessories should be both practical and stylish. At the end of the day, Zohran Mamdani's style is proof that fashion doesn't have to shout to make a statement. Sometimes all you need is a great fit, a little thought, and a whole lot of confidence in who you are. That, my friends, is how you serve looks, politics or not.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
What is the real reason behind WWE SmackDown's Netflix blackout in Saudi Arabia?
As WWE hosted the June 27 edition of SmackDown in Saudi Arabia, the show was a hit, however, it went through some abrupt technical issues related to blackout for the viewers who were watching the show on Netflix. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Reports suggest that WWE's latest international broadcast didn't just glitch, but the entire production lost power. However, the real explanation behind the Netflix "blackout" during June 27th's WWE SmackDown in Riyadh has nothing to do with Netflix at all, but everything to do with the venue, and rather it was an issue of power outage at the Riyadh Kingdom's arena stadium. Let's now find out the real reason behind the blackout episode. The real reason explained about WWE SmackDown's Netflix blackout in Saudi Arabia The June 27th edition of , airing live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was supposed to be another global moment for WWE's Netflix deal. Instead, fans watching internationally were hit with a brutal 30-minute outage, and now the real reason is out. According to the issue had nothing to do with Netflix. The entire venue lost power, bringing WWE's production to a standstill. They have also issued a statement related to it, which reads, ' can confirm that there was a power loss in Riyadh that affected WWE's entire production, including the control room and the gorilla position.' Further, PWInsider stated, 'WWE lost all power, and with that went any ability to control the different facets of the show. They are working to get everything back online, but again, it was not a Netflix issue, it was an issue originating at the actual venue.' Even Fightful Select also provided an update on what went on in the arena while the malfunction continued for the fans. It was clarified that a power disruption in Riyadh affected WWE's entire production, including the control room and the gorilla position, and it was not an issue from Netflix's side. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Several reports suggest that despite the 'blackout' episode during the promotions, stars continued to keep the audience entertained. Stars like and later Cody Rhodes kept the live audience engaged. It was noted that Orton mingled with fans while his entrance music played, and about 25 minutes in, Rhodes joined to entertain the crowd until the screens returned. Also Read : Once the power was restored, production resumed, and commentators Michael Cole and Wade Barrett wasted no time apologizing to international Netflix viewers. As the feed resumed, fans witnessed a thrilling match between Guilia and Zelina Vega in the Women's United States Championship segment.
