Cast: I would love to be able to add the English Dub cast as that is how I experienced this series.

Streaming Service: Netflix

Release Year: 2025

Length: 6 episodes

Audio Description Produced By: International Digital Center

Written By Liz Gutman

Narrated By Sri Gordon

What Is It?: the thrilling conclusion to the popular South Korean series about a sadistic game where players struggle to survive, in the hopes of being the last one standing and winning a huge cash prize.

What Works: This is going to be an odd review. So, why do I like Squid Game? Because it is inventive, creative, and feels like nothing else on TV right now. There are shades of Hunger Games and Battle Royale, but this one has a far larger player base, and isn’t afraid to get bloody. It is one of those shows that ironically works, in that we’re supposed to be appalled at the idea that the wealthy watch this for entertainment… as we watch this for entertainment. Even with an English dub cast, there are a few really well fleshed out characters whose emotional contribution to the story keeps you watching, despite the likelihood that they will all die. Season 2 actually took a bold step in the season finale, trying to change that assumption, to no avail. So, Season 3 became about watching the best parts of the second set of games amount to an endless stream of death. They kept it fresh by changing up the games, showing us more of the wealthy VIP’s, and getting us invested in those who are on the exterior trying to shut the games down.

In its final moments,n Squid Game makes the right choices, leaving us with a statement on the hopefulness of humanity, and pushing back on the idea that the VIP’s have about anyone beneath them. They believe these insignificant chess pieces will do anything for money, and characters surprise them often.

Oddly, despite the danger, Squid Game can seem fun at times, like you might be successful at surviving a challenge. Other ones seem impossible. The final challenge is so simple, yet they can’t seem to make it work the way they want, leading to a shocking conclusion. There’s a rumored version coming from David Fincher, and I’m intrigued by what he might do.

What doesn’t Work: Honestly, I hated the ending to Season 2, as it felt like we were doing a Part A/B thing, instead of two seasons. It was a bit of a cop out, and the thrilling attempt to take back control,really only gave us a surprising twist from one character, and a ton of disappointment. And if we’re being honest, I know this dub cast isn’t as deep as the actual cast. It then hurts the ability to distinguish between characters, because too many sound like they are voiced by the same actor. Considerint we reach the final with a lot of characters known only by their numbers, they need all the originality they can get. It’s actually a testament to the audio description that I can follow the show at all, since everyone either has a Korean name, or is a number, and all are sharing voice talent. If the show was any weaker, it wouldn’t be able to hold up to the format. Sometimes even American shows fall under the weight of too many, too much, and not enough time. Dune: prophecy certainly felt that way.

The Audio Description: Like I said, with a weaker AD track, this show would fall on its face. It starts with over 400 players, not to mention guards, and other extraneous characters. If there were more than 8 voice actors here, I’d be shocked. I’m thinking it might be only 6, with three male voices and three female voices trying to change their qualities for each character. The problem is the volume, and the nameless factor. So many never get developed as characters, but end up in pivotal scenes, where it can be a struggle. Liz Gutman’s script really tries to make up for this, which is the only reason any of us can ever follow this. Also, there are these words written on the wall in Korean, and they make no sense to us, but Sri reads them out letter by letter, fully spelling out the word so if you want to try and figure out what it means, you at least have a chance. I love how the audio description here really tries to elevate what is truly just an inadequate dub track. it isn’t tht the voice actors are bad, it is the cost cutting measure that forces actors to voice multiple people, which in this case, with this big of a cast, needs at least double what it has to really land the character work. We need to feel the difference between 232 and 317 and 405, because characters like that keep surviving, and the show isn’t really interested in giving us details. If we could see, facial recognition would click in, and there’s only just so much the AD can do to make up for it. Good luck remembering what over 400 cast members look like even if they did all get description.

Why you Might Like it: If you haven’t started Squid Game by now, it’s a life choice. the show is, I believe, still Netflix’s #1 show worldwide. It’s like finding someone who is a grown adult, and hasn’t seen Star Wars. It isn’t due to lack of opportunity, r time, it is an actual choice.

Why You Might Not Like it: it is pretty brutal. it is also bleak, as everyone you fall in love with dies. The format is set up that way, to constantly crush your soul.

Final Thoughts: Season 3 is a satisfying conclusion to a series that likely only ever needed one season. But, I have to admit, as much as I personally love this show, the way we receive it as blind people is at a cost cutting measure, but then supported by actual human audio description, which is a rarity for Netflix’s international content. You would think hitting number one would be reason enough to spend the cash to make every experience the best it can be, but I guess not.

Fresh: 8.9/10