Squid Game's Bleak Finale The Real Reason Will Blow Your Mind!

‘What’s the world’s best actor doing there?’ The Real Reason the Squid Game Finale is So Bleak

Spoiler warning: If you haven’t seen the end of Squid Game, stop reading now. Seriously. This delves deep into the finale.

The second season of Squid Game promised a dark conclusion, and it certainly delivered. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, who has openly discussed the immense stress of the production, warned us that a happy ending wasn’t in the cards, labeling it “bleak.” But the true extent of that bleakness wasn't fully realized until the final moments.

Up until those final minutes, one could argue that the series ended on a somewhat optimistic note. While the show centers around the horrific murder of hundreds for entertainment and profit, the protagonist, Gi-hun, seemingly triumphs over the system.

Let's break down the almost-happy ending:

• Gi-hun's Sacrifice: Gi-hun, the season one winner, returns to dismantle the Squid Game organization.
• The Newborn: The introduction of a baby as a numbered player brings out the worst in everyone, highlighting the depths of human desperation.
• Gi-hun's Redemption: He protects the baby and ultimately sacrifices himself to ensure her victory and a future of wealth, partially atoning for his failures as a father.
• Ideological Victory: Gi-hun's selfless act challenges the Front Man's cynical view of humanity, seemingly prompting him to ensure the baby's safety and well-being.

It appeared that Gi-hun's belief in the inherent goodness of people prevailed. Hope remained. A happy ending… almost.

Then Came Cate Blanchett

Just as the Front Man drives away, he witnesses a familiar scene: someone in a suit throwing a cardboard square and slapping a stranger – the recruitment method for Squid Game. But this time, the recruiter is none other than Cate Blanchett.

Yes, Cate Blanchett. The Oscar-winning actor, seemingly out of nowhere, is recruiting for the Squid Game. This unexpected cameo leaves viewers grappling with its implications.

The questions arise:

• Are Squid Games happening globally?
• Are we all pawns in a game controlled by wealthy elites?
• Did Cate Blanchett really need the money?

The Hollywood Encroachment

The possibility of Hollywood's involvement in Squid Game was always anticipated. Initially, there were expectations of A-list cameos from actors like George Clooney or Brad Pitt. Instead, the show opted for a brief, jarring appearance from one of the world's most recognizable actresses.

The Real Reason: Exploitation

Blanchett's cameo signals Netflix's plans to expand the Squid Game universe. Squid Game: America, an English-language remake written by Dennis Kelly and directed by David Fincher, is on the horizon.

And that, my friends, is the truly bleak ending. Squid Game, a global phenomenon and Netflix's most-watched show, isn't allowed to simply conclude. It must be exploited, milked for all it's worth, until audiences grow weary and resentful.

That's why Cate Blanchett showed up. And that's why the ending feels so profoundly unsatisfying. It's a stark reminder that in the entertainment industry, even the most original and impactful stories are ultimately subject to the relentless pursuit of profit, often at the expense of artistic integrity.

The brilliance of Squid Game was its commentary on societal inequality and desperation. The cameo of Cate Blanchett cheapens the brand to an extent.

Tags: Squid Game, ending explained, Hwang Dong-hyuk, bleak ending, series finale, Netflix, Korean drama, spoilers, plot twist, TV show, Cate Blanchett, Squid Game America, Dennis Kelly, David Fincher

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jun/30/whats-the-worlds-best-actor-doing-there-the-real-reason-the-squid-game-finale-is-so-bleak