The series draws on themes of economic disparity and class division to give the message that, with the wrong power, money makes people evil. At the same time, money makes people so desperate that they are willing to vote “yes” for another game just for a chance to win more money, even though there’s a high chance of death. At the basis of its story is a criticism of the dehumanizing and unequal effects of capitalism that many people face in real life. So why do people want more of Squid Game past its first season, especially since doing so risks contradicting its larger message?
The Squid Game Universe Defeats the Series’ Entire Purpose
Squid Game became a surprise success after its first season in 2021 that Netflix sought to take advantage of the show’s hype. The series was renewed for a second and third season, which will definitely end the series. Beyond that, Netflix produced a British reality show titled Squid Game: The Challenge, in which real-life participants play the games inspired by the show, but without the murder. David Fincher is rumored to be adapting an American version of the series, and showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk has shown interest in continuing the universe himself. Not to mention, there’s an official mobile game called Squid Game: Unleashed.
It’s fair to say Squid Game isn’t ending anytime soon. But that reality almost feels discomforting. In the real world, people watch Squid Game — a show where people wish for the deaths of others to win money — and think, “That sounds fun to do in real life.” Of course, murder is left out of the equation. There is still some good in humanity. But Squid Game: The Challenge and knockoff versions that promise money prizes or other forms of compensation require the suffering of others to provide entertainment. In every reality, someone is a loser.
That loser isn’t Squid Game or Netflix. The show is making the money that Netflix had hoped for when it was renewed for a second season. While the first season ended in a spot that was completely fine to stop forever, it also left a tiny crack open just in case it needed more story. Curiosity into that tiny crack made Squid Game the very capitalist that it very much criticizes. The continuation worked for the most part, although the series certainly didn’t pick up the same traction as it did in the first. Viewers are like little children grasping for colorful shiny games to play with because of how bright and exciting the aesthetic is. But just because people want more doesn’t mean they need it.
Season 2 Is Great, But Doesn’t Have the Same Punch as Season 1
By all means, Squid Game Season 2 isn’t a bad season of television. It increases the drama and stakes, adding several new characters that are just as good as the first batch in Season 1. The season works because it’s less about surviving the games, and more about ending the games. But the second season also proves that Hwang more than likely had no intention of continuing the series past Season 1.
Season 2 refuses to depart from the established formula that made people love the series in the first place. Notably, nearly every new player in Squid Game Season 2 is a counterpart to Season 1’s players. Seong Gi-hun reunites with another old friend in the game (Season 1: Cho Sang-woo, Season 2: Park Jung-bae) and is deceived by Player 001, an important person controlling the game (Season 1: Oh Il-nam, Season 2: the Front Man).
The elements of the show that are different are put on the back burner once the games are in session. Jun-ho’s search for the games’ location is a cool, detective mystery that turns into a B plot with hardly any recognition as Gi-hun is reinstated into the games again. The voting process within the game’s plot is dry, dragging viewers through long scenes that end up making very little difference to the overall story.
To make people a nervous wreck as they were watching Season 1, Squid Game pushes the violence and gore, at times coming off as distasteful. The whole point that Season 2 tries to make is that people are predictable animals. They will play, be shocked by the deaths, get over the deaths, and repeat the cycle because they want money. But in telling this age-old tale, Squid Game rehashes the sweetness of Season 1, and loses its sparkle in Season 2.
At the Core of Squid Game’s Problem Is Netflix
“Even though the first series was such a huge global success, honestly I didn’t make much. So doing the second series will help compensate me for the success of the first one too… The stress I feel now is much greater.”
In a way, Hwang is living his own creation. Netflix is the Front Man and he’s a player, and the viewers are the VIPs, just waiting for the next game to start to get their fill of excitement that can’t be achieved in real life. Netflix’s urge to continue Squid Game isn’t unexpected, however. The streaming service is notorious for wringing out the potential of every smash hit they have, but canceling any series that doesn’t have astounding success.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Netflix and fans have failed to learn the easy lesson Hwang tried to teach them through Squid Game Season 1. Every little crumb the average person fights for, the wealthy elite gets the whole cake. By Season 3 and many spinoffs later, viewers will be echoing Hwang’s words: “I’m so sick of Squid Game.”
Squid Game Seasons 1-2 are available to stream on Netflix. Season 3 will premiere in 2025.
