‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Explores Greed, Trauma, and Polarization

The new season deepens its critique of capitalism and human nature, introducing a revised voting system and new moral dilemmas.

Season 2 of Netflix's global hit 'Squid Game' premieres on December 26, continuing the story of Gi-hun as he seeks to dismantle the deadly games.
The season introduces a new voting mechanism where participants vote after each game to either continue playing or split the prize money and leave alive, raising questions about greed and morality.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk uses the series to critique global political and economic polarization, exploring themes of majority rule and societal division.
Gi-hun, now grappling with deep trauma, is portrayed as both driven by revenge and possibly addicted to the adrenaline of the games, reflecting the psychological toll of his experiences.
The show retains its minimalist aesthetic and symbolic storytelling, with returning sets and costumes reflecting its themes of entrapment and systemic inequality.