The highly anticipated finale of Squid Game season 3 has dropped on Netflix, wrapping up much of the show’s ongoing storylines.
But could this really be the end? The show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, has hinted it might be, but the shocking cameo at the end of the episode has sparked new theories that the franchise could continue.
Warning: Spoilers for Squid Game season 3 ahead!
In the final moments, viewers are introduced to a new recruiter for the Squid Games, located in Los Angeles, signaling that the games have gone global. And who is behind the recruitment efforts in LA? None other than Cate Blanchett, an Oscar-winning actress known for roles in *Thor: Ragnarok* and *The Lord of the Rings*. The surprise cameo came as a shock, as Netflix had kept Blanchett’s appearance under wraps until the finale aired. However, the appearance had already been leaked by industry insider MyTimeToShineHello earlier in the week, who suggested that the cameo was setting up a potential American spin-off of Squid Game, which could be in the works with director David Fincher at the helm.
Although Netflix has yet to officially announce the future of Squid Game, the involvement of Fincher would make sense given his successful collaborations with the platform on *House of Cards*, *Mindhunter*, and *Love, Death & Robots*.
Squid Game star Lee Byung-hun, who portrays Front Man, also hinted earlier this week that the series may not be done yet. “Director Hwang keeps saying it’s a finale, but when I first read it, I felt it could be a finale, but at the same time, it could be a new start,” Byung-hun teased. “It’s my personal opinion, but if the audience’s love and support increase, we’ll never know what happens.”
Meanwhile, Hwang Dong-hyuk himself remains more certain about the show’s conclusion. “It’s the finale for the whole series. The whole show. It’s time to say goodbye,” Hwang stated.
Despite Hwang’s comments, Netflix seems to be leaving the door open for future stories in the Squid Game universe. And while this final chapter may have its flaws, it still retains the suspense and cinematic quality that made Squid Game a global sensation.