Before we dive into the final moments of Season 3, let’s set the stage: Squid Game has captivated audiences worldwide with its high-stakes drama and shocking twists. As fans eagerly devoured each episode, speculation soared about how—and if—the story could continue. Then came the very last scene, dropping a bombshell that nobody saw coming and opening the door to a whole new chapter.
A Surprise Cameo by an A-List Icon
It’s not every day that you spot an unexpected twist in the final moments of a series, but that’s exactly what happened when two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett appeared as a recruiter for what seems to be a U.S. iteration of the macabre games that defined Squid Game. I remember watching the finale with friends, hearts pounding as we thought the season had drawn to a close—only to be stunned by Blanchett’s impeccably cool entrance.
Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk told Netflix’s Tudum that swapping in a female recruiter added a fresh layer of drama—and that nobody commands the screen quite like Blanchett. “We needed someone who could captivate the audience in just a few lines,” he explained, adding that her charisma was “unmatched.” It was a clever nod to the series’ global phenomenon status and a clear signal that the story is far from over.
An Open-Ended Finale That Teases a Spin-Off
Despite the high stakes and emotional farewells throughout Season 3, Gi-hun’s ultimate sacrifice feels almost open-ended, suggesting that the game goes on, no matter who fights back. Lee Byung-hun—the actor behind the enigmatic Hwang In-ho—praised this ambiguous wrap-up on Netflix’s promotional site, calling it “the perfect ending for a show like this.” He sees it as a commentary on how, despite noble efforts, the world “continues to spin as before.”
For viewers, it’s reminiscent of that car ride home after watching a thriller with your best friend—questions swirling, theories bouncing back and forth, and a shared excitement for what might come next. And with David Fincher reportedly developing an American spin-off and Netflix tallying nearly 3 billion hours of viewing across the first two seasons, the stage seems set for more twists, more intrigue, and perhaps more familiar faces crossing borders.
