Movies

What to Watch After Squid Game Season 3

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The popular series “Squid Game” concluded recently, adding six fresh episodes to its sophomore season which were filmed consecutively last year. This was a treat for viewers worldwide who eagerly waited after the suspenseful cliffhanger of Season 2. In this installment, the character Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) or Player 456, attempted an unsuccessful rebellion against his masked captors in a deadly competition that offers the chance for debt-ridden Koreans to win potentially life-changing sums of money, offering them a way out from the degrading cycle of insolvency.

In today’s context, there’s a comforting aspect to viewing dystopian series, not because they divert our attention from real-world issues, but because they mirrors back to us our own feelings of powerlessness within a dramatic narrative, potentially providing understanding, empathy, and healing in the process. For example, shows like Squid Game explore the brutality inherent in entertainment, the unattainable promises of overcoming human flaws, and ultimately find hope through shared values such as camaraderie, kindness, and unity. Dystopian series are born from the convergence of social turmoil and science-fiction, serving as a reflection of the threats and shadows cast by the contemporary world. The only defense against it lies in our very nature as humans.

If you’re yearning for more tales of oppressive regimes, societal decay, and advanced technologies driving us toward a struggle for existence, following the thrilling end of Squid Game, here are ten series suggestions for dystopian viewing.

Should the world of authoritarian rule, social degeneration, and technology dominating our survival instincts still captivate you post-Squid Game’s climax, I present to you ten dystopian series recommendations for your continued exploration.

If you want more mazes: Westworld

Drawing inspiration from an engaging yet subtly Michael Crichton movie of the ’70s, Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy crafted a world where powerful corporations hold the ultimate decision-making authority over what constitutes humanity in its technological aspect. The series is set within a replicated Wild West-themed amusement park where visitors interact with almost perfect robots, but the sophisticated, unpredictable programming of certain unique robots propels them out of their intricate sanctuary and past the boundaries of creation. It’s an exciting, emotional, and intellectually stimulating journey away from dystopia.

If you want relationships: 12 Monkeys

In a twist of events, a SYFY remake of a ’90s cult sci-fi movie might seem like a catastrophe waiting to happen, but for four captivating seasons, the series “12 Monkeys” defied assumptions by weaving an engaging tale about a thrilling time-travel endeavor aimed at correcting a virus-stricken, post-apocalyptic future. Throughout its 47 episodes, characters from both the past and the future, such as scavenger James Cole (portrayed by Aaron Stanford) and present-day virologist Cassie Railly (played by Amanda Schull), become relatable figures who remind us that our seemingly secure present is not as stable as it appears.

If you want violent secret societies: Utopia

This could be one of Britain’s most thrilling additions to dystopian sci-fi in the past century, surpassing even “Black Mirror.” In the show, followers of a popular graphic novel seek answers on how it seemed to foretell global events, only to find themselves pursued by deadly agents from the ominous “Network.” Despite being cut short after just two seasons and suffering a lackluster American adaptation, this dystopian series is rich with unexpected turns, psychopathy, and hidden manipulators.

If you want rebellion: Andor

Several popular series exploring themes of injustice and unity have emerged since the sensation surrounding Squid Game, and the Star Wars saga featuring Cassian Andor (played by Diego Luna), as he ascends through the Rebel Alliance ranks, mirrors the unstable alliances and intense emotions portrayed in Squid Game across its three seasons. Specifically, the prison arc “One Way Out” in Season 1 of Andor closely resembles the transition Players undergo from isolated suspicion to deeply felt camaraderie during the games.

If you want weird prison vibes: Severance

One key similarity between Apple TV+’s psychological sci-fi series and Squid Game lies in the fact that both the Players and the Innies (employees confined to a secluded, windowless facility who only remember work hours with no knowledge of their personal lives) grapple with a complex feeling of belonging within their bleak, enclosed settings. The Players are drawn to the prospect of significant monetary rewards despite the insurmountable odds and brutal violence, and many show a willingness to continue participating in a contest that offers them false hope. Similarly, the safety and comfort of the sterilized severed floor often prevents Innies from venturing beyond their permitted areas.

If you want class struggle: Snowpiercer

The four-season TNT sci-fi series “Snowpiercer” has a Korean link: it marked the English-language debut of Korean director Bong Joon-ho, who was also behind the original film. This series, based on a French graphic novel and an American production, takes place aboard the Snowpiercer train, humanity’s last refuge in a frozen, post-apocalyptic world. The train is strictly divided by class and serves as a backdrop for a linear narrative leading to a class rebellion among the newly oppressed. Actors like Daveed Diggs, Jennifer Connelly, Sean Bean, and others portray passengers from various social strata caught up in the struggle to maintain the precarious Snowpiercer on course.

If you want twisted contests: Dead Set

Previously, Charlie Brooker critiqued the blend of entertainment and violence through a miniseries where a zombie epidemic invaded the Big Brother house in Britain. Similar to “Squid Game,” “Dead Set” combines familiar cultural icons and backdrops with chilling, unavoidable outbursts of violence, balancing between captivating, dark drama and a stark reflection of the violence that exists within our contemporary world.

If you want old-school conspiracy: The Prisoner

British literature often delves into dystopian themes, such as “1984,” “Brave New World,” and “A Clockwork Orange.” However, this fascination with darkness has also manifested in less obvious ways on television. One notable example from 1967, a one-season series, follows a spy (Patrick McGoohan) who is mysteriously imprisoned in a village by shadowy forces seeking something from him. Much like “Squid Game,” “The Prisoner” keeps viewers guessing as it transforms conventional symbols of peaceful familiarity (in this case, an idyllic coastal town) into unsettling tools that keep the characters on edge.

If you want more social criticism: 3%

In this gritty Brazilian thriller set in a dystopian future, society is partitioned into two distinct realms: the impoverished “Inland” and the affluent “Offshore,” with the latter enjoying a superior quality of life. At age 20, individuals have the opportunity to undergo a grueling procedure known as “The Process.” However, only a third of those who apply are successful in securing their future safety. Similar to the contestants in Squid Game, the participants in this process display distinct personalities and emotions, making their journey captivating to watch as they confront the mental and physical trials of The Process. But what’s intriguing is why these individuals are made to compete against each other initially.

If you want more games: Alice in Borderland

Hailing from a manga that made its debut in 2010, “Alice in Borderland” is a survival sci-fi series that premiered on Netflix just nine months prior to “Squid Game”. In an alternate version of Tokyo, a group of youths find themselves compelled to participate in grueling games reminiscent of card suits. The characters, portrayed by Tao Tsuchiya and Kento Yamazaki, navigate the intricate puzzles and battles using intelligence and dexterity, much like “Squid Game”. And similar to “Squid Game”, a third season is slated for release on Netflix in 2025.

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2025-06-27 11:06

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