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Squid Game fans have major theory about American spin-off link to original Netflix series after finale twist
Home>Entertainment>Netflix
Published 12:47 30 Jun 2025 GMT+1

Squid Game fans have major theory about American spin-off link to original Netflix series after finale twist

The finale set up a major theory for the upcoming American Squid Game series

Michael Slavin

Michael Slavin

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Squid Game fans have shared a major theory on Reddit about how the show is set to link to the American spin-off following a huge twist in the show’s finale.

Netflix’s Squid Game is arguably their most successful show ever, with season one being the most watched of any single season of the platform ever.

Season one of the series is the only show on Netflix to have ever been watched for over 2,000,000,000 hours, with season two sitting in third place overall, beaten only by Wednesday.

The newest season, series three, concludes the story of Gi-hun and the games in Korea.

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It has already been announced by Netflix that an American spin-off is in the works, set to be helmed by Mindhunter creator and Fight Club director David Fincher, who is directing the project instead of returning for the upcoming Social Network sequel.

While details are sparse about what the American version of the series entails, the season three finale has given a better idea of what is set to come next and has spawned an interesting theory about how the two shows may be linked.

Spoilers for the Squid Game season three finale that sets up major theory

Netflix's Squid Game season three finale sparked controversy and theories about the upcoming spin-off (Netflix)
Netflix's Squid Game season three finale sparked controversy and theories about the upcoming spin-off (Netflix)

The Reddit theory directly links to an incredibly spoiler-heavy moment from the final two minutes of Squid Game.

Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, dies sacrificing himself for a young baby born during the game who wins the prize money.

The frontman, In-ho, leaves the games behind and lets the baby live, leaving it with his brother along with the prize money from the games.

He travels to California to give the remainder of Gi-hun’s fortune to his daughter and stops as he hears the sound of Ddakji being played.

Rolling down his window he sees a recruiter, played by Cate Blanchett, playing the game with a homeless man, slapping him whenever she wins in a sign that the games have made it to America.

Whilst many had assumed that an American version of the game would be a remake or reboot, this signifies that it might actually be a direct sequel.

The Reddit theory on how Squid Game sets up the upcoming American spin-off

The Front-man goes to America and fans think he will bridge the shows (Netflix)
The Front-man goes to America and fans think he will bridge the shows (Netflix)

The Reddit theory explains that they feel that In-ho, having left the games behind after the death of Gi-hun, may actually look to oppose the American version of the games.

They posted to r/SquidGame, saying: “So In-ho sees the American recruiter in LA. And I think that sets something off inside of him.

“I think In-ho got his faith in humanity back because of Gi-hun, and is now going to become the ‘new Gi-Hun’ (our leading man) and attempt to stop the games in the states.

“He’s given the baby to his brother and has now nothing else to come back to. Also there would be a link between the Korean and American shows. More people might want to see it if one of the original cast is part of it.”

One fan chimed in to agree, saying that the theory is ‘exactly what [they] said to my friend after we both finished watching it'.

Another, however, chimed in to say they hope this isn’t the case, claiming there is no need to link the two.

Criticism of the upcoming Squid Game spin-off has began already

Blanchett appeared in the last couple minutes of Squid Game season three (Netflix)
Blanchett appeared in the last couple minutes of Squid Game season three (Netflix)

Several have hit out at the scene with Cate Blanchett teasing the potential upcoming spin-off or sequel series set in America.

One viral Reddit post saw someone saying ‘f**k Squid Game USA’.

They stated that the use of Ddakji, a Korean game, was ‘lazy’ and should’ve been a childhood American game.

They said that Americans playing it ‘is so unfitting and uninspired’ and they ‘don’t get who this is for’.

They finished by adding: “Gi-hun is the face of this show and if he’s not there I don’t care period. It’s basically gonna turn out like that goofy MrBeast Squid Game video.”

Squid Game series 3 is available to stream on Netflix now.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: Squid Game, Netflix, Reddit

Michael Slavin
Michael Slavin

Michael Slavin is LADbible's dedicated specialist Film and TV writer. Following his completion of a Masters in International Journalism at Salford University, he began working for the Warrington Guardian as a reporter. Throughout this he did freelance work about Entertainment for publications such as DiscussingFilm, where he was the Film and TV editor. Now, he is LAD's go to voice on all things Netflix, True Crime, and UK TV, as well as interviewing huge global stars such as Jake Gyllenhaal, Daisy Ridley, and Ben Stiller.

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@michaelslavin98

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