The reviews forSquid Gameseason 2 are in, and they show a particularly divisive response following the smash hit of Hwang Dong-hyuk’s dystopian survival thriller. Releasing in 2021, the Netflix series sees Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) in a bloodied battle against 400 other downtrodden folks in a series of traditional Korean children’s games for a life-or-death chance at an exceptional cash prize. After winning the competition and discovering the true nature of the shadowy organization behind it, Gi-hun teams up with police officer Jun-ho to infiltrate and end the games once and for all inSquid Gameseason 2.
Compared toSquid Gameseason 1, which boasts a 95% critic score and 84% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the dystopian horror series' sophomore season falls behind, particularly with viewers, with an88% critic score and 59% audience scoreonRotten Tomatoes. The mixed response comes as viewers process season 2’s violently dramatic cliffhanger ending, setting up the events forSquid Game’s final season, scheduled for release in 2025.
What Squid Game Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Score Means
The Opinions Of Critics & Viewers Are More Divided Than Season 1
The substantial gap between critic and audience scores forSquid Gameseason 2 mirrors similar patterns seen in other high-profile streaming series returns, particularly those following breakout first seasons. OtherNetflix TV showslikeStranger ThingsandWednesdayhave shown thataudience expectations tend to be significantly higher for sophomore seasons of viral hits, often leading to more biting viewer responses regardless of their critical acclaim.
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The current 29-point divide between critic and audience scores is particularly noteworthy when compared to season 1’s much narrower 11-point difference. However, with only 17 critic reviews and 100+ audience reviews counted so far,the critical consensus could shift significantly as more reviews are published. The relatively small sample size of both critic and audience reviews suggests these scores may not yet represent the dystopian thriller’s final reception of season 2.
The scoring pattern also reflects broader trends in streaming television, where highly anticipated follow-up seasons to global phenomena often face heightened scrutiny from audiences who’ve come to expect the same novelty and innovation.Squid Gameseason 1 became Netflix’s most-watched series everwith a record-setting 1.65 billion viewing hours in its first 28 days, setting unprecedented expectations for its return.
Our Take On Squid Game Season 2’s Rotten Tomatoes Score
Why We’re Still Betting On Squid Game’s Follow-Up
The early reaction divide likely speaks more to the challenges of following up on a cultural phenomenon than any measure of its quality.ScreenRant’s review ofSquid Gameseason 2gave ita glowing 8 out of 10 score,noting “the first season’s heavy-handed exploration of income inequality is still present,“while “new dynamics raise questions that allow the series to expand its scope.”
Season 1’s overwhelmingsuccess is partly due to its timing and novelty. It arrived during peak post-pandemic streaming and introduced many Western viewers to Korean drama conventions.Squid Gameseason 2 was always going to face an uphill battle against these heightened expectations.
While the initial audience response appears concerning, it’s worth noting that early audience scores can often skew toward extreme reactions from the most passionate viewers. The more measured critical response suggests that while season 2 may not capture the same lightning-in-a-bottle magic as its predecessor,it delivers a solid continuation of the series' core appeal. As more folks complete the season and additional critical perspectives emerge, the scores will stabilize, though they may not reach the astronomical heights ofSquid Game’s initial reception.
Squid Game
Cast
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
