The 7 Reasons Why 'Squid Game Season 2 Sucked'—And What Went Wrong After The Hype

The highly anticipated return of Squid Game, which premiered on December 26, 2024, has ignited a firestorm of controversy and disappointment among its global fanbase. Now, in December 2025, a year after its debut, the consensus for many viewers is clear: Squid Game Season 2 simply failed to capture the magic, tension, and social commentary of its predecessor, leading to widespread claims that the second season "sucked." The initial hype quickly devolved into a chorus of criticism, with fans and critics pointing to everything from a creatively bankrupt plot to a controversial cliffhanger that left a sour taste.

The original series was a groundbreaking phenomenon, but its follow-up struggled under the weight of expectation, delivering a repetitive narrative and characters who felt predictable and shallow. This deep dive explores the seven most prominent reasons why the sequel to Netflix’s biggest-ever show became one of its most divisive releases.

The Complete Breakdown: Why 'Squid Game Season 2' Failed to Deliver

The core intention of the sequel was to expand the universe and follow Seong Gi-hun's (Player 456) journey to dismantle the organization. However, the execution was widely criticized for lacking the originality and sharp socio-economic commentary that defined Season 1. The general sentiment is that the show became a frustratingly recursive, stretched-out echo of the first season, prioritizing spectacle over substance.

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1. The Repetitive and Creatively Bankrupt Plot

One of the most frequent complaints leveled against Squid Game Season 2 is its lack of creative originality. Many viewers felt the season was "creatively bankrupt," offering little new in terms of narrative or thematic depth. Instead of introducing a fresh dynamic, the plot felt like a frustratingly recursive retread of the first season’s structure, simply recycling the core premise with a new set of characters and slightly altered games. This repetition led to a feeling that the episodes were "stretched out," diminishing the propulsive, do-or-die stakes that made Season 1 so compelling.

2. Underwhelming and Fewer Games

The games themselves were a major source of fan disappointment. Season 1 featured six iconic, high-stakes children's games, but Season 2 reportedly contained fewer games—some sources cite only three—over a seven-episode run. Furthermore, one of the games was a near-identical repeat of a previous challenge, and the new additions were deemed "weak af" and "meh" by many viewers. The lack of inventive, culturally resonant, and psychologically torturous new games stripped the series of its most unique and thrilling element, leaving the audience with an anticlimactic experience.

3. Predictable and Shallow Character Development

The success of the first season hinged on the complex, morally grey character arcs of individuals like Kang Sae-byeok, Cho Sang-woo, and Oh Il-nam. In contrast, the new ensemble cast of Season 2 was widely criticized for being "predictable shallow characters." The characters often felt like thinly written stand-ins for familiar archetypes, lacking the nuanced backstories and desperate motivations that made their predecessors so sympathetic. Even the returning protagonist, Gi-hun, was unable to carry the narrative, with his journey feeling less about moral redemption and more about a generic revenge plot.

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4. Slow Pacing and Excessive Exposition

The pacing of Squid Game Season 2 was a significant point of contention. Many fans found the first episode, and subsequent segments, to be "slow" and bogged down by "so much nonsense dialogue." The writers were accused of relying heavily on "exposition at every turn," forcing characters to explain the plot and their motivations rather than letting the story unfold naturally through action and tension. This narrative choice contributed to a feeling that the plot was "stuck in a really dissatisfying way," failing to maintain the breakneck, suspenseful energy of the original series.

5. The Controversial and Hollow Ending

The ending of Season 2 sparked a major backlash, with many describing it as "terrible," "horrible hollow," and "controversial." Instead of providing a satisfying resolution to Gi-hun's conflict with the organization, the season concluded with a divisive cliffhanger. This finale left the series feeling "incomplete and ultimately disappointing" for many viewers who had waited years for a payoff, suggesting the writers were more focused on setting up a third season than delivering a cohesive, self-contained story for the second.

6. Undermining the Theme of Season 1

A deep-seated criticism from long-time fans is that Season 2 "undermines the point of Season 1." The original series was a powerful allegory about capitalism, debt, and the moral compromises people make under extreme duress. Gi-hun's choice at the end of Season 1 was a powerful statement against the system. By immediately thrusting him back into the conflict with a clear, almost superhero-like mission to take down the organization, the sequel pivoted away from the complex social commentary toward a more conventional action-thriller narrative. This shift diluted the show’s philosophical core.

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7. Poor Writing and Plot Holes

Overall, the season was widely deemed "poorly written" by critics and the community. Beyond the repetitive nature, fans pointed out numerous "plot holes," questioning the logic of certain character decisions and the organization's security measures. For example, the rationale behind contestants wanting to fight one another outside of the games, or the ease with which the Front Man's operations were accessed, strained the suspension of disbelief. This lack of narrative rigor made the entire season feel less grounded and more like a rushed attempt to capitalize on the franchise's success.

Topical Authority: The Core Entities and Criticisms

To fully understand the fan disappointment, it is crucial to recognize the key entities and concepts that were handled poorly in the sequel:

• Seong Gi-hun (Player 456): His character arc was criticized for being generic and lacking the moral complexity of Season 1.
• The Front Man: The exploration of his backstory and motivations was deemed insufficient or uninteresting.
• The VIPs: The return of the wealthy benefactors felt less impactful, becoming a mere backdrop rather than a vehicle for social critique.
• The New Contestants: Lacked the memorable, compelling backstories of their predecessors (e.g., Sae-byeok, Ali, Il-nam).
• Socio-Economic Commentary: The sharp critique of capitalism that defined the first season was largely replaced by a standard revenge plot.
• The Games: The core mechanics were less inventive, leading to "underwhelming games" that failed to generate the same level of suspense.
• The Cliffhanger Ending: A major source of "Netflix backlash," frustrating viewers who expected a more conclusive narrative.

The overwhelming consensus that Squid Game Season 2 sucked is a result of these creative choices. The show seemed to sacrifice its unique identity—a brutal, character-driven social critique—for a safer, more conventional thriller structure. While some viewers still found elements to enjoy, the widespread criticism suggests that the sequel will be remembered less for its thrills and more for its profound disappointment.

Looking Ahead: Can Season 3 Redeem the Franchise?

Despite the negative reception, the controversial cliffhanger ending does set the stage for a potential Squid Game Season 3. However, the writers face an enormous challenge: winning back a skeptical audience. To redeem the franchise, a third season would need to reintroduce the creative originality and moral depth that were conspicuously absent in Season 2. This means more inventive, culturally specific games, compelling and complex new characters, and a return to the powerful socio-political themes that initially made Squid Game a global phenomenon.