One of the greatest series, Squid Game, returned with its highly anticipated second season on December 26, 2024. The Netflix series’ new season quickly captivated both critics and viewers with its thrilling narrative. At the moment, its receiving rave reviews which is reflected in its high scores on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. Critics have ultimately praised the second season for its exceptional quality.
In terms of critical reception, Squid Game Season 2 holds an impressive 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 42 reviews. It also boasts a score of 61 out of 100 on Metacritic, which aggregates ratings from 23 professional critics, indicating a generally favorable response.
Michael Ordoña of the San Francisco Chronicle describes Squid Game as “smart,” “provocative,” and “twisted.” He highlights how the new season deepens character development, intensifies the action, and pushes the storyline forward, all while preserving the dark absurdity that defined the first season.
William Goodman of The Wrap praises Lee Byung-hun’s portrayal of the Front Man in Season 2, calling it a “remarkable standout.” He notes that the season is not only “more brutal and haunting” but also highly effective—and, in its uniquely twisted way, even more entertaining than before.
Ben Travers of IndieWire takes a more measured approach in his review of Squid Game’s second season, noting the contrast between the previous ones. He explains that while the first season was marked by a sense of exploration, the second one thrives on the understanding that there is less to uncover.” Travers points out that the second season relies heavily on viewers’ anticipation, occasionally subverting it with unexpected twists, yet often fulfills those expectations, delivering a familiar yet engaging experience.
Annabel Nugent from The Independent acknowledges that Season 2 may not have the same level of “shock” as its predecessor, but provocatively asks, “Isn’t that the point?” She praises the second season for expanding beyond the limitations set by the first.
After the immense success of its first season, Squid Game became one of Netflix’s most popular series. While it’s still unclear if the second season will match that level of viewership, the positive feedback it has garnered from critics has gone to show that there is a strong possibility it’ll be successful in capturing the audience’s attention once again.
