The creator explained the death of Thanos

This article contains spoilers “Squid Game” Season 2.

“Squid Game” Season 1 was a global phenomenon, and perhaps Netflix's biggest hit outside of “Stranger Things.” Korean death game thriller about a man who accepts an invitation to participate in a sickness contest to win money playing twisted (and deadly) versions of children's games charmed audiences everywhere. It was gory, shocking and scary, but also hilarious and quite poignant in its commentary on class and capitalism.

The second season acknowledges that the surprise is gone, but instead uses the audience's prior knowledge of the games' premise and weapons it against them. This season is darker, grittier and more brutal, as if creator Hwan Dong-hyuk is rebelling against the capitalist systems that made the first season of Squid Game a global hit, yet kept him from seeing any of the rewards, making a second season likely to make audiences regret ever wanting to. see more.

Season 2 sees Season 1 protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) return to the games in an attempt to shut them down. He spends every moment trying his best convince players to vote against continuing deathmatchesand making sure they know who the real enemy is. However, he is undermined at every turn and forced to watch more and more people die horrible deaths for no other reason than the sick pleasures of rich monsters.

One of the people leading the charge to keep the games going despite the many deaths is player 230, also known as Thanos. Thanos, played by Choi Seung-Hyun aka TOP, is the shock to the system and jolt of chaotic energy that Squid Game needed to keep the balance between sheer horror and twisted fun. However, when the world needed him most, Thanos died a slow and painful death.

Thanos is one of the best characters in “Squid Game” season 2. He's an unpredictable anime character brought to life, a guy who dances to the catchiest tune of the season, knowing full well that he's about to die. He's also the kind of person who suddenly starts speaking English to seem cooler and even throws in a bit of Spanish. TOP basically plays an exaggerated version of himself in the show and even directly references some of his dances and performances. Likewise, the story of Thanos forgetting his lyrics during the rap show finale echoes TOP doing the same thing in real life.

Thanos originally appeared to be some sort of Joker figure in the Squid Game ie. a force of mayhem and fun that does nothing but survive by a hair's breadth and will do anything it can to blend in with everyone else. That is until he eventually meets a gruesome end when he is killed in a bathroom during a fight between players. As Hwang explained The Hollywood Reporterthis moment was meant to show how people can forget fighting the system and instead turn on each other despite being on the same side. In his own words:

“We come up with so many ways to divide us. We think everyone is our enemy. Everyone is someone you're against. On the other hand, I think we're less likely to question our basic systems that have made us this way act. way, and I've created that kind of environment, I wanted the fight between people to reflect that.

As for why Thanos had to die, Hwang admitted that he was one of his favorite characters, but the time was right to kill him off. “I'll admit, I thought the death was sudden,” the creator added. “It was very intense, which was the right path for him at the right time. The way he leaves the story, if you watch until season three, it's almost going to feel like he's still there in some way. How he affects the plot.”

“Squid Game” Season 3 will premiere on Netflix in 2025.