The final chapter of the acclaimed Korean thriller series, squid Game, has officially closed its doors, delivering a dramatic conclusion that left viewers reeling. While the original narrative arc, particularly the journey of protagonist Seong Gi-hun, has reached its intended end, the very final moments of the show’s third season finale didn’t just wrap things up—they strategically cracked the door open to reveal a stunning hint at the franchise’s global future, potentially ushering in a new era led by visionary director David Fincher and featuring Hollywood heavyweights like Cate Blanchett. This article breaks down the impactful ending and how it cleverly sets the stage for a potential american expansion of the deadly games.
The Final Season’s Shocking Conclusion
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk spent six years intensely focused on Squid Game, seeing his vision through three seasons. He confirmed that Season 3 was deliberately crafted as the definitive end to the core story, giving a resolution to Gi-hun’s tumultuous path. Hwang explored intense thematic territory throughout the final episodes, including the dangerous polarization fueled by modern divisive politics, mirrored in the players’ constant voting to continue despite worsening conditions. He also highlighted the increasing visibility of once-hidden elites, reflecting contemporary anti-oligarchy sentiments.
The finale dramatically raised the stakes with a storyline involving a pregnant player and the birth of a baby within the deadly competition. In a heart-wrenching turn, both the mother and the baby’s father perish. The infant incredibly becomes a player and wins the games. The ultimate sacrifice comes from Gi-hun, who gives his life to save the child, symbolizing the current generation’s duty to protect the future even at immense cost. This act deeply impacts the Front Man, In-ho, leading him to abandon his role in the games. He ensures the baby and prize money are left with his brother before traveling to California.
Gi-hun’s character arc was central to the finale. Hwang described the challenge of depicting Gi-hun’s fall into guilt and despair after his failures in Season 2, culminating in him committing murder in Season 3 – an “irreconcilable original sin.” While Gi-hun ultimately dies in sacrifice, his journey was meant to show how low a human can fall before striving for redemption. Hwang intentionally left Gi-hun’s final line, “Humans are…”, unfinished, prompting viewers to contemplate humanity’s nature, suggesting that Gi-hun’s final act exemplifies what humans should be: willing to sacrifice for a better future against a powerful, oppressive system. Hwang admits the show’s demanding production contributed to his decision to conclude the story, feeling a sense of relief mixed with loss after being consumed by the project for so long.
The System Expands Westward: Los Angeles Recruitment
Despite the definitive end to the Korean narrative and protagonist’s story, the series finale featured a pivotal scene that immediately ignited speculation about the franchise’s future. The final moments depict the former Front Man, In-ho, now in California. While there, he hears the familiar, distinct sound of the Ddakji game being played.
This leads him to witness a recruitment process in Los Angeles. Instead of the Korean recruiter (Gong Yoo’s character from Season 1), the person overseeing the game is a mysterious, charismatic woman, played by none other than Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett. She is shown playing Ddakji with a homeless man, complete with the signature slapping penalty for losing rounds. This brief but impactful sequence serves as undeniable visual confirmation: the “Squid Game” organization is operating internationally, specifically in America.
The presence of the Ddakji game, though a distinctly Korean element, in an American setting underscores the organization’s methods are being directly transplanted, signaling the arrival of the deadly competition on new shores.
The David Fincher Connection and Blanchett’s Cameo
Cate Blanchett’s surprising cameo in the Los Angeles recruitment scene is widely interpreted as a direct link to previously reported plans for an English-language American adaptation or series. Critically acclaimed director David Fincher is reportedly attached to this project.
Given Blanchett’s history of collaborating with Fincher on films like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Gone Girl, her appearance in the Squid Game finale, set in the US and teasing a new iteration of the game, strongly suggests her potential involvement in Fincher’s rumored series. While there has been no official casting announcement linking Blanchett specifically to the Fincher project, her prominent role in bridging the original story’s end with the hint of a US continuation makes her a key figure in this transition. Rumors circulating suggest that production for the Fincher-led Squid Game could potentially begin as early as December.
Hwang Dong-hyuk himself praised Blanchett’s performance in her brief appearance, telling Tudum she reminded him “of what true talent looks like,” finding her “mesmerizing” even with minimal lines. He also noted her surprising skill at Ddakji, successfully flipping the tile on her first attempt, allowing them to film the scene in a single long take.
Creator’s Intent vs. Audience Interpretation
It’s important to note the creator’s perspective on this final scene. Hwang Dong-hyuk clarified that while the scene features an American recruiter and location, it wasn’t specifically written with the sole intention of directly setting up an American spinoff at this exact moment. Sources speaking to The Hollywood Reporter also supported that the ending wasn’t designed primarily to launch future stories at this time.
Hwang’s main goal with the final scene was thematic. He wanted to convey that despite the events in Korea potentially disrupting that specific branch of the games, the overarching system of ruthless, limitless competition inherent in late capitalism is incredibly powerful and globally entrenched. Its appearance in America underscores that the system will “always repeat itself” and requires ongoing, strong-willed effort to challenge it worldwide. So, while it serves as a powerful hint for viewers, the creator’s primary drive was to reinforce the series’ core message about the system’s resilience.
Despite the creator’s narrative intent, the scene featuring Blanchett and the US setting is undeniably being interpreted by many as a clear setup for the announced English-language adaptation. Hwang himself has expressed personal interest in watching a potential American version, particularly if directed by David Fincher, stating he would “definitely click on it immediately.”
Fan Theories and Criticisms Emerge
The American recruitment scene in the finale has sparked numerous fan theories about the potential direction of the US Squid Game project. The most prominent theory, circulating on platforms like Reddit’s r/SquidGame, centers on the Front Man, In-ho.
Given that In-ho travels to California in the finale and is present when the American game operations are revealed, the theory suggests he could become the protagonist of the US spinoff. Proponents believe that seeing the American recruiter and the game continuing in the US, influenced by Gi-hun’s sacrifice, could “set something off inside of him,” leading him to regain his humanity and turn against the organization he once served. With no remaining ties in Korea after leaving the baby with his brother, a continued presence in the US and a mission to stop the games there is seen as plausible. This theory suggests the spinoff could be a direct sequel linked by an original major character, potentially drawing in the original show’s massive fanbase.
However, the setup has also faced criticism. Some viewers felt using Ddakji, a distinctly Korean childhood game, in an American setting was “lazy” or “unfitting,” arguing the spinoff should incorporate an American game instead. Others expressed indifference towards a spinoff that doesn’t feature the original protagonist Gi-hun, with some negatively comparing the concept to fan-made recreations like the viral MrBeast video.
Beyond the Main Story: Other Spinoff Possibilities
While the Korean series starring Gi-hun has reached its planned conclusion as per Hwang Dong-hyuk’s creative vision, the immense global success of Squid Game and the hints dropped in the finale suggest that Netflix is likely to explore the universe further through various spin-off projects.
Beyond the highly anticipated American version, Hwang has stated he is not interested in continuing the main timeline directly. However, he has mused about potentially exploring the time gap between Season 1 and Season 2 or delving into the backstories of other intriguing characters, such as the Front Man (In-ho), the original Recruiter (Gong Yoo), or Captain Park. He emphasizes these are currently just ideas being “tossed around.” Interestingly, actor Lee Byung-hun, who portrays the Front Man, has also hinted at the possibility of a spin-off centered around his character, aligning somewhat with fan theories about In-ho’s future role.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Squid Game finale ending mean for the American series?
The Squid Game finale strongly hints at the franchise’s future with an American series. The final scene shows the deadly Ddakji recruitment game happening in Los Angeles, overseen by a US recruiter played by Cate Blanchett. This directly connects to reports of an English-language adaptation directed by David Fincher, signaling that the game’s operations are expanding globally, specifically to the United States, setting the stage for a new story in that location.
Where does the Squid Game finale hint at the US games taking place?
The series finale specifically shows the American recruitment scene taking place in Los Angeles, California. The Front Man character travels to California and encounters a recruiter playing the Ddakji game in a US setting, explicitly showing the game’s presence and operation established in that city.
Will the original Front Man character appear in the new Squid Game American show?
The finale shows the Front Man, In-ho, traveling to California and witnessing the American recruitment. While not officially confirmed for the American series, a popular fan theory suggests that In-ho, influenced by the events of Season 3 and now present in the US, could become a central figure, potentially turning against the organization and acting as a protagonist trying to stop the American games.
Conclusion
The Squid Game series finale delivered a powerful and definitive end to Seong Gi-hun’s story and the primary Korean narrative arc, fulfilling creator Hwang Dong-hyuk’s thematic goals about sacrifice, humanity, and the pervasive nature of capitalism’s cruel systems. However, in its final moments, the show masterfully pivoted, using a striking scene featuring Cate Blanchett as an American recruiter in Los Angeles to signal that the game itself is far from over. This clever transition directly points towards the highly anticipated English-language American series, potentially spearheaded by David Fincher, ensuring the Squid Game universe will continue to explore its brutal themes on a global stage, even as the original story finds its hard-won conclusion. The precise direction of this new American chapter and whether original characters like the Front Man will play a direct role remains subjects of speculation and excitement.
